Rookie Coop Building Mistakes? - Page 3

Quote:

Originally Posted by crittergarden 

oooo - I'd rather hose out the coop than clean a poop hammock!

 

What about the "low pressure cup systems" that Walden's Ridge was mentioning? What are those?

http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/mini-cup-waterers.html

 this is a low pressure watering cup
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by chestypuller 

 

whats your winters like? and can i get more into on the deep litter method?

my winters have been mild lately but if you have birds with big combs and you are worried about frostbite then try vasoline it wont hurt them. Heres a link that will give you all the info you need. Hope it helps and good luck 

Thanks, Bing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bingrancher 

http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/mini-cup-waterers.html

 

 this is a low pressure watering cup
 

my winters have been mild lately but if you have birds with big combs and you are worried about frostbite then try vasoline it wont hurt them. Heres a link that will give you all the info you need. Hope it helps and good luck 

 

what link?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chestypuller 

 

 

what link?

 

 

Sorry about that, I thought it posted but here it is I hope 

http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/deep-litter-method-the-easiest-way-to-deal-with-chicken-litter-dlm

Chickens do not need a heater !!!

They have a down coat.

Folks in Alaska keep them and they are fine down to -30.

Ventilation, not drafts is the key.

Keep them dry, (ventilation) without having cold air blow on them (drafts).

heck i wonder how many chickens you need per cubic foot of air space to keep it nice at -20f and what size vent holes? anyone have the math on this?

Great Question!  I'm currently building the run, which will be 18x6, and I'm not sure what's a comfortable number and how big should the coop be.. 

Can anyone help?
Heidi

Quote:

Originally Posted by chestypuller 

heck i wonder how many chickens you need per cubic foot of air space to keep it nice at -20f and what size vent holes? anyone have the math on this?

I am a rookie too but I just built a low pressure nipple water system with help from pics & designs here on BYC.  I definitely recommend it!  I got 25 nipple screw in connectors for $14 on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/X25-Chicken-Duck-Poultry-Water-Nipple-Drinkers-Screw?item=170809058407&cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.m185&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC.NPJS%26itu%3DI%252BUA%26otn%3D12%26pmod%3D180809010570%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D7182242319986638422#ht_2040wt_952

Chicken coop check list

1. predators "Know your predators" then proof your coop

2. 10 inches of rooster bar space per bird

3. 4 Sq feet feeding

4. 3-4 sq feet per bird in the hen house

5. vents that open and close / cross breeze  the best

6. windows lots of them

7. roost bars 2 1/2 inches OD limbs work the best with bark in place

8. Roof, build to with stand wind and snow load.

9. wiring for lights and outlets

10. clean out door

11. flock door

12. hen boxes, 1 box for every 3-4 hens.

13. build so you can winterize it

14. the right coop for your flock, portable Vs stationary

15. Build so that you can add on to it or be able to sell and start over

16. reminder... it cost two as must as you think

17.make it nice, chicken coops do not have to be ugly!

18. build it for chickens as well for your self, at some point you will need

to clean it and will need to get inside of it