A little maintenance

[Sono]

Today warmed up a bit, had to pull the hose out to thaw a bit them blew the ice out so I could fill the jug since we havent had any rain in awhile. Went to the feed store and bought feed to fill up the feeder. Coons apparently ( or squirrels ) tore up a bit of the shingles on the nesting box so I reinforced it with ice barrier to keep water out ( it is fiberglass reinforced ) so I stapled and siliconed it in place to make a weathertight seal and still let the door be operable. Flat 2x4 for perches so they keep their feet warm, new bulbs to keep water jug from freezing and to keep the eggs rollin. They also got some extra treats to keep them happy !
A few more pictures to show my current setup, but looking to do a larger build this spring and lots more layers.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

Today warmed up a bit, had to pull the hose out to thaw a bit them blew the ice out so I could fill the jug since we havent had any rain in awhile. Went to the feed store and bought feed to fill up the feeder. Coons apparently ( or squirrels ) tore up a bit of the shingles on the nesting box so I reinforced it with ice barrier to keep water out ( it is fiberglass reinforced ) so I stapled and siliconed it in place to make a weathertight seal and still let the door be operable. Flat 2x4 for perches so they keep their feet warm, new bulbs to keep water jug from freezing and to keep the eggs rollin. They also got some extra treats to keep them happy !
A few more pictures to show my current setup, but looking to do a larger build this spring and lots more layers.

Great work so far!

 

[Sono]

Great work so far!

Built this coop about 3 years ago, still strong as day 1. Cant wait to start the larger coop and run ( selling this one after ) Got better plans for walk in since I cant climb and squeeze into this one ( too old ) besides easier maintenance. Going to get a lot more birds.... and some that visit from the neighbors LOL

 

[saysfaa]

How does the pvc on the outside above the eaves work? It sounds like you have a rain barrel type system so I assume it is part of that? But how does it fill when it is so high? Or am I looking at it wrong.

 

[Sono]

How does the pvc on the outside above the eaves work? It sounds like you have a rain barrel type system so I assume it is part of that? But how does it fill when it is so high? Or am I looking at it wrong.

I goofed when I installed it but it works for the best in a way. The jug doesnt have an overflow for when it gets full , with the gutter being above the roof in a super heavy downpour it doesnt flood the coop, but fills the jug mostly, light rains I may get a half jug or so. There is a screen in the reducer to keep bugs and debris out. My next build will use 55 gallon barrels with overflows and a full gutter catch system, once filled they will dump out an overflow to the field. current setup is a 5 gallon jug

 

[gtaus]

Got better plans for walk in since I cant climb and squeeze into this one ( too old ) besides easier maintenance.

Exactly, make your next coop and run so it is easy for you to maintain. Not having to bend over in my coop and run was on the top of my design list.

Also, would suggest you consider using deep bedding in your coop. I built my coop to hold as much as 12 inches of wood chips, paper shreds, or any other type of litter. I only clean out my coop twice a year, but I could actually go a full year between cleaning with deep bedding and not have a problem.

I built a drop down panel on the back of my coop so I can easily shovel or broom out my old bedding. I have a raised coop, so I can literally sweep my old bedding directly into a wheelbarrow or garden cart. Makes maintenance easy.

I goofed when I installed it but it works for the best in a way. The jug doesnt have an overflow for when it gets full , with the gutter being above the roof in a super heavy downpour it doesnt flood the coop, but fills the jug mostly, light rains I may get a half jug or so. There is a screen in the reducer to keep bugs and debris out. My next build will use 55 gallon barrels with overflows and a full gutter catch system, once filled they will dump out an overflow to the field. current setup is a 5 gallon jug

Love it to read people are learning ways to improve their design. Sometimes a goof is the best teacher. Sounds like your new water storage plan is a big improvement over your previous design.

Having said that, how many chickens do you have? I had 10 chickens (now 7) and my little 3 gallon fount waterer will last about 10 days before I need to refill it. That is only about 9 gallons of water per month for my chicken needs. If you have 55 gallon barrels full of sitting water, I might be concerned about the water going stale or getting contaminated over time. Just a thought.

My idea was to move my gardens next to my chicken coop and run. I make compost in my chicken run and it is easier to cart the compost a few yards to the gardens than on the other side of my property. If I had barrels full of rainwater, I think I would add a spigot to the rain barrel system to use that excess water for the gardens. That would keep the water flowing through the system if you don't have enough chickens to drink all that water.

 

[saysfaa]

So, the gutter catches just what falls directly into it? Without hitting the roof first?

I can see it working that way: an inch of rain times so many inches times so many feet being enough to fill a five gallon jug... the whole roof would be too much.

 

[Sono]

Exactly, make your next coop and run so it is easy for you to maintain. Not having to bend over in my coop and run was on the top of my design list.

Also, would suggest you consider using deep bedding in your coop. I built my coop to hold as much as 12 inches of wood chips, paper shreds, or any other type of litter. I only clean out my coop twice a year, but I could actually go a full year between cleaning with deep bedding and not have a problem.

I built a drop down panel on the back of my coop so I can easily shovel or broom out my old bedding. I have a raised coop, so I can literally sweep my old bedding directly into a wheelbarrow or garden cart. Makes maintenance easy.



Love it to read people are learning ways to improve their design. Sometimes a goof is the best teacher. Sounds like your new water storage plan is a big improvement over your previous design.

Having said that, how many chickens do you have? I had 10 chickens (now 7) and my little 3 gallon fount waterer will last about 10 days before I need to refill it. That is only about 9 gallons of water per month for my chicken needs. If you have 55 gallon barrels full of sitting water, I might be concerned about the water going stale or getting contaminated over time. Just a thought.

My idea was to move my gardens next to my chicken coop and run. I make compost in my chicken run and it is easier to cart the compost a few yards to the gardens than on the other side of my property. If I had barrels full of rainwater, I think I would add a spigot to the rain barrel system to use that excess water for the gardens. That would keep the water flowing through the system if you don't have enough chickens to drink all that water.

exactly whats planned, building a large garden, a section will be for the run next to it so compost can be easily moved. with the new coop inside the new run. I currently have 6 chickens which may be free range meat birds once the new chicks learn their routine ( plan to get a dozen or more new egg layers ) This coop usually has 12" or more of bedding but they keep kicking it out... actually have more, just didnt get to it today since I had covid and it really took a beating on my lungs. Since the coop will be next to the garden, I will be running a water line to the garden, which will attach to the barrels possibly for easier fills in the summer and if done correctly shouldnt freeze up in the winter like this hose does, tried to fill yesterday but too cold still and hose was froze. Today I got the ice to blow out and fill the water full, I drained the entire hose (300ft) so next time I can get the water to them.

 

[Sono]

So, the gutter catches just what falls directly into it? Without hitting the roof first?

I can see it working that way: an inch of rain times so many inches times so many feet being enough to fill a five gallon jug... the whole roof would be too much.

yes, but doesnt work so well when its dry... just toss the garden hose up and wala !

 

[gtaus]

This coop usually has 12" or more of bedding but they keep kicking it out...

I built a 12 inch holding well for litter inside my coop, so I can have up to 12 inches of litter in the coop before it even reaches the bottom of the pop door. Nothing gets kicked out.

I had covid and it really took a beating on my lungs.

Sorry to hear about your illness. As an RN, I encourage everyone to get the vaccination. Our local hospital was full of COVID patients a month ago, over 95% were not vaccinated.

I currently have 6 chickens

if done correctly shouldnt freeze up in the winter like this hose does, tried to fill yesterday but too cold still and hose was froze. Today I got the ice to blow out and fill the water full, I drained the entire hose (300ft) so next time I can get the water to them.

I live in northern Minnesota. I have a 3 gallon metal water fount sitting on top of my metal base heater inside my coop. The 3 gallon waterer will last my 7 hens more than 10 days. When I need to refill the waterer, I just walk it over to my house outside spigot and fill up the container. I put my garden hoses away usually late October and they stay in the shed until May. There is no way I could use a garden hose in our winters.

If you get a lot of freezing water where you live, I will say that I am very happy with my metal base heater and metal water fount combo. The heater has a built in temp switch and turns on about 35F and keeps the water from freezing. I think they advertise ice free water down to +13F, but I can tell you that my heater base has kept my water from freezing down to -40F last year. I kept my waterer inside the coop where it is not subject to the blowing wind outside. I think that makes a big difference. The heater turns itself off when it senses about 40F, so you don't have to spend money making hot water. Of course, my heater is on for almost 5 months, but in a warmer climate you might only see it kick on a few times during the coldest part of the night. It's only a 125 watt heater. For my electrical costs, that is about $10 per month running 24/7. Well worth it.

In any case, nothing is more important than fresh water for the birds. No way at my age am I going outside 3 times a day to give them fresh water in a pan. The metal base heater and metal waterer were worth every penny I spent on the combo.