Ditto Dat!!The outside area - with the roof- I would not make another coop, I would fence that as a run.
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Ditto Dat!!The outside area - with the roof- I would not make another coop, I would fence that as a run.
I have turned heat lamp off since reading your advice.I'd really reconsider the heat lamp. Unless you're raising new chicks in a brooder in the coop, they definitely don't need it and it's more of a fire hazard than anything else. They can fall, the bulbs can shatter, someone recently even had a bird somehow get lodged into one. Chickens can tolerate below freezing temps without a problem as long as they have protection from wind and rain, which your coop looks like it handles without issue.
On the plus side you really do have coop space plenty for quite a good number of birds (most of us have nothing near as big, so we're jealous!) so even without adding a second coop like you're suggesting you should be able to grow your flock without the issues that many others face.
I'd adjust the roost too to be higher with rungs a little more separated but if you're satisfied with their current sleeping habits then that's not a huge deal to me.
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I have turned heat lamp off since reading your advice.
It's not always on anyway so they're fine.Don't be surprised if the chickens seem confused or upset by the lamp being turned off. They don't like change, but they'll adjust to it in a few days.
They have been roosting on top the nesting boxes. And my gate up against wall to the left. I'm curious if I should move the nesting boxes down to ground since the babies will be hatching soon that's under my broody hen? Any advice on that?UHG...bad habit you may regret.
But you don't seem open to suggestions....so I'll move on.
The top of nests is probably much more comfortable that the metal gate 'roosts'.They have been roosting on top the nesting boxes. And my gate up against wall to the left. I'm curious if I should move the nesting boxes down to ground since the babies will be hatching soon that's under my broody hen? Any advice on that?
ThanksThe top of nests is probably much more comfortable that the metal gate 'roosts'.
Put a sharply angled board(~45° or steeper) above nests, so they can't roost there.
I would be risky to move the broody at this point, you might break her broodiness.
Once the chicks start hatching I would put a piece of cage mesh in front of nest so chicks don't fall out.
But I would prepare a floor nest for her to move into once the chicks hatch.
My broody hen always hatches in nests above the floor. When she wants, she gets all those balls of fluff down. Dropping about 3 feet with no damage or injury. Just before hatching, I give a broom out to the coop and put in fresh bedding. All my hens have created a nest on the floor, none of them where I thought would be best.
The top of nests is probably much more comfortable that the metal gate 'roosts'.
Put a sharply angled board(~45° or steeper) above nests, so they can't roost there.