Recent content by dalcombright

thanks everyone!

You have hit -22 already? ewwwe hahah.

No heat in your coop? I wont have any in mine.

Is heat needed though? If it is I will probably just endure them indoors because running 300' of extension cords for heat will be a pain in the butt haha. Also. the 12 out their now dont have heat. Again, fully enclosed coop and a 12x16 run that is covered. I also let them free range when I'm...

I am also open to a "transition" period as well, but not sure its needed. I was thinking storing them in my garage for a week or two as its maybe 5-10 degrees warmer than outside but obviously has 0 drafts/wind. Again, just not sure whats needed/not needed.

So I am in Kingston, MA (North East US), weather this time a year go's between low 20s and low 40s. I received the following as new born chicks the last week of September/first week of October. 3 Polish Chicks 3 Brahma Chicks They are now between 10-12 weeks. Assuming introductions go fine...

Yes I do plan to have a poop board running under it, probably a 1x10”. Maybe that will be enough for a step up to the perch? Thank you for the setup compliment. Had some great friends help me out (first time building anything on my own).

Thanks, yes it’s about 3’ 3” high. Maybe I’ll do the ramp until they can do it themselves. I do plan to do a pool bar, so maybe that’s a step they can do as well?

what is ideal to get the hens up to the roosting beam. random places steps or a ramp like so (obviously there will be batons all the way up it).

Thanks, and yes we planned to cover the run with a solid roof and also add all proper ventilation. I was staying away from box store coops for the sizing issues, I had just read on numerous backyard sites that 2-3 is fine, so I figured 3.7 was plenty. My chickens will free roam when we are...

Thanks. Why do most places recommend 2-3sq a bird in the coop? And I’m not talking about tractor supply bought coops, sites like this one. I figured at 3.7sq ft a bird I was ahead of the game with 6x6.

We got 10 chicks and am about to start the build out of the coop this weekend. My initial plan was 6x6 raised in a 8x16 run. I’ve been reading numerous places to go 4x6 to keep the chicks warmer in the winter. Thoughts? We plan to only have 8-12 birds ever. We got: 2x Plymouth Barred Rock 2x...

I meant vertically. as in, 4' wide hardware cloth will be run up the wall, so less cutting. I just don't know how to speak :lol:

no the roof will be spaced accordingly as we do get snow and the pitch will not be drastic enough to clear on its own. My plan would be 12" - 16".

@Ridgerunner, thanks for all the comments. My plan was to get 4' sections (1 or 2 rolls of 4'x100' wire, and run it horizontally, with posts being placed every 4'. The roof is planning to be a clear greenhouse style roof. I also planned to run a cross beam down the middle. Height will range from...