One thing I really like about my coop is dual pop doors. On one side of my coop I have a small 6 x 18 run that comes straight out of a smaller chicken wire cage set up inside my coop. I use this cage for a brooder, and add a removable roost for juveniles too small to mix with the big flock when they outgrow the light. They go in the pop door straight to the 'brooder' cage at night and get let out at the same time in the morning with the big birds who have their own pop door on the other side of the coop.Kathy, if you have a minute I have a question or two for you. I know you are well read and have lots of chicken experience so I'd like your opinion. (Anyone else that wants to is more than welcome to add their 2 cents!) I am cleaning the coop out, have dismantled nearly everything so far. I am planning how to rebuild smarter. I plan on building 3 1/2 to 4 foot high roosts over 3 foot high dropping boards filled like a litter box with PDZ. It will be 16 feet long and 3 feet wide with 2 2x4 roosting bars running the length - 32 ft of roost total. I am going to build a brooder under one end of it and build nesting boxes under the other end. I plan on having a cabinet for doing fermented feed. I ordered a Sweeter Heater for the brooder area. I am thinking maybe the Brite Tap waterer or something similar. Going to provide an inside dust bathing area with wood ash, DE, sand and dirt.
Question #1 Any of these things sound like a bad idea?
Question #2 What litter method?
I read this about how great sand is in the coop http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/09/chicken-coop-bedding-sand-litter.html
and this about how horrible it is http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2013/07/the-real-scoop-on-using-sand-in-your.html
My coop (or hen house maybe a better term) is a 21 ft x 12 ft converted carport. I considered using just PDZ as I saw that suggested somewhere but that doesn't seem realistic, and might not be good for them. So I was planning on putting down a mixture of PDZ and large flake pine shavings. But that isn't really deep litter since I am just trying to keep it dry I guess, which would seem like it would prevent composting. So then I was thinking maybe a mix of sand and PDZ. But I don't know what to believe. And it does seem like come next winter, cold sand would not be nice for their feet. So then should I add pine shavings on top? UGH! I just want to do what is best, safest, etc but can't figure out what that actually is. I know it seems to come down to opinion. So, what is your take? My coop floor is dirt. Our dirt is heavy black clay and doesn't drain well. They will be allowed to free range on our 3 1/2 acres of pasture. Primarily they just will be in there to roost, lay and possibly eat/drink. Still trying to decide if food or water should be allowed in the coop itself.
So I guess Question #3 Food and water in or out of the coop?
Thanks so much for your opinions
~Melissa