Yes, not interested in pests nor having my chickens feast on insulation. The ceiling is out of their reach so will try that. Have to decide whether to try the hard insulation boards on the walls (not the white stuff) or something else. Thank goodness for the windows in the coop. They're...
Interesting and appreciated. As my flock of hens grew, I thought that a rooster would be a nice addition for many reasons, including "protection" for them. There was no issue with my dominant hen as she and the rooster seemed fine, even if she wouldn't let him mate. It was only when she...
Thank you ElizaMay. I appreciate your comments. I am hoping that when my hen's moulting is done that her "mojo" returns and life gets back to normal. The rooster seems to be figuring out that when I am around that he is to leave the hen alone. He is also starting to leave her alone in the coop...
Good to know LateBirdFarms as I did something similar last year: taped thick plastic around the inside walls and ceilings as a barrier to drafts and piled deeper wood shavings on the floor. If the plastic lining has been working for you in Barrie, then it should be fine in Niagara. I would...
Totally agree that the sun makes a huge difference as does being draft free. We purposely set the coop in front of a barn wall that blocks the predominant west winds and there is some protection from the north winds too. Peacocks are on my list! Do they get along with the chickens, even roosters?
Thanks Chickstarrs. Another option to explore. I need to get moving on this very soon! Sorry that you have to part with some chickens😞. I have been resisting increasing my flock - even though there are so many other breeds that I like - for the reason you're facing: my coop would be too...
You're so right about how relaxing it is to spend time with chickens. Each has its own special personality and antics that make us laugh every day. And they are so low maintenance as a bonus. Enjoy!
Love your coop. Mine is a walk in and in the winter I make sure that the wood shavings on the floor, and in the nesting boxes, are much deeper than in the summer for added insulation and to keep the little feet warmer. I don't do the deep litter method because I clean the coop every day to keep...
Thanks Albertan. As I mentioned to Lexicon, the temps are usually not too bad but we do have the odd day of really cold weather. Up to -10C the door is left open a bit to let the chickens run around outside if they choose (they hate the snow so may or may not venture out). Anything colder the...
Thank you Lexicon. Our winters are usually not too cold, relatively speaking, but we can get the odd day at -30C, even -40C with the wind, but typically not colder than -20C - which is cold enough for all creatures - big and small.
May I ask what type of insulation you used? Our coop has 2 vents at the very top of opposite walls, just beneath the roof plus 2 screened windows and 2 doors.
That's an interesting heater. I'm going to check it out. I take it that it is fire proof? The picture shows the heater sitting on straw. Last year we wrapped the inside of the coop with thick plastic and used the big red heat lamp only when it got very cold and never left it on overnight...
Just saw your update and am sorry to hear about the change in your rooster. Ours still is sweet except that, as of last week, he has decided to try to take on our dominant hen who wants nothing to do with him. He has drawn blood from her so we separated him for now and are trying to...
Your rooster is also handsome. Roughly the same age and ours is also still learning the ropes but coming into his own relatively well. However, last week he decided to take on our dominant hen - a Majestic Maran - who has never let him mate with her so we are now trying to sort out how to get...