ALABAMA!!

[Jeanna Marie]

Well I'm both! So war tide!!!

That's a cop out.. u weren't born in alabama were you?

 

[Dylon]

That's a cop out.. u weren't born in alabama were you?

I was. I'm really for Alabama, but in going to Auburn University... It's coming complicated

 

[chirpingcricket]

My chickens have an open air coop. It was supposed to be their run with a little rolling coop attached, but they prefer roosting in the run. I have a little rolling coop attached which they use for laying eggs. Please excuse this junky photo of taken it before it was completely finished.

Hey. . .There you go. Very nice job!

 

[Jeanna Marie]

I was. I'm really for Alabama, but in going to Auburn University... It's coming complicated

I went to auburn as well....

 

[Wisher1000]

Okay, here's mine. The footprint is 12 x 16 with an additional 8' of enclosed area (feed,bedding storage and brooder room) on the back end. The 12x16 area is where the adult chickens roost at night, way up high in the rafters. I used 2x4 welded wire (dog wire) and put up OSB on one end so they will have solid corners to run to incase the coons try to reach through.

 

[Razadia]

I took a new pic of one of the quail today. Keep in mind (those of you that aren't really familiar with them) that these little ones were hatched on the 6th (last week). They already have a lot of their feathers. I can't wait till I can tell male from female so I know who needs to be sold. They still aren't big enough to move out of the diaper box (yellow box in the background) just yet, but they don't need a bulb that puts out much heat now.

 

[chirpingcricket]

I built one of those solid off the ground log cabin looking coops with external nest boxes... lots of time and effort. They use it at night right now but I cleaned it today and its like an oven in there. Plenty of ventilation and alight cooored rubberized roof to cut down on heat but stil very hot. If I were to put the door on the front like the plans call for they really roast in there. I don't worry so much about them not going in it when its hot but it rains a lot in alabama sometimes and stays hot while it does. And water runs under it so they get wet under there. And how are they gonna lay eggs in an oven?

It sounds like a really nice one. You're right, would be dangerous. Re: Rains, I watch the weather.
Can you add roosting/perching bars? Is there anyway to cut in extra places for "windows" framed/nailed in with hard ware cloth? Or even better, cut into walls, making screen walls, made of hardware cloth and 2 x 4's?
Is the roof corrugated so air will flow out?

You might be able to put awning type overhangs over any new framed openings to keep some of the blowing rains off the birds. They are really going to need ventilation in the summer while laying eggs. They will literally pant like a dog, easy to dehydrate, which will decrease egg production.

If it looks like we are going to have heavy, prolonged rains from the south and west, (for example), I will cover those 2 corners if needed, afterwards, remove so it can dry faster. If a severe weather event occurs, I will place them inside hen boxes, screen with chicken wire. Like a lock down. (If it were to be very severe and we had time, I could move them inside the shed, inside the hen boxes.) Hopefully won't come to that.

I'll add extra bedding, pine straw leaves, to keep their feet up off the ground some. Sometimes, they just like the rain, especially in the summer. Helps keep them cool, and clean too. Afterwards, I'll remove the wet bedding if needed and throw into compost for use in the garden. I turn the soil with a spade/pitchfork, after it's dry, add more pine straw/leaves. I keep a close ear and eye out for respiratory issues, but no problems so far.

If you can, send a picture. I'm sure others may brainstorm with you and come up with something. Did you see stumpy's coop? Unless the wind is really gusting, the overhang of the roof, if extended enough will keep most of the rain out. Unless you are like us and it's on a slope, causing some flooding... I diverted alot of the runoff by planting flower beds and brick/tile walkways around south side of the pens. (the front of ours)
Just some ideas, and good luck!! Keep in touch, OK?

 

[ohb]

Hi ohb, I just saw that you are from Hope Hull. I lived in Fleta and Pintlala for ever! I loved it out there. Now I live in Perry Co.
I am building my first chicken coop and hope to have it done this weekend to get my chicks in it!

Yeah, we've been down here 12 years. My wife and I were both born/raised in Montgomery but as a kid I spent a lot of time at my grandmother's house in Crenshaw county. I have always loved the country life. In the 1990's the neighborhood we were in went downhill and when we decided to move I talked my wife into moving down here. Now, she doesn't want to live anywhere else. Good luck on that first coop. I have built two--one kinda pieced together and one from a plan. Let us know how it goes for you.

 

[chirpingcricket]

Okay, here's mine. The footprint is 12 x 16 with an additional 8' of enclosed area (feed,bedding storage and brooder room) on the back end. The 12x16 area is where the adult chickens roost at night, way up high in the rafters. I used 2x4 welded wire (dog wire) and put up OSB on one end so they will have solid corners to run to incase the coons try to reach through.

WOW!!! Love it!!!

I see you are using tarps and blinds too. Keeps it simple. Thanks for sending your photo too.

 

[chirpingcricket]

I took a new pic of one of the quail today. Keep in mind (those of you that aren't really familiar with them) that these little ones were hatched on the 6th (last week). They already have a lot of their feathers. I can't wait till I can tell male from female so I know who needs to be sold. They still aren't big enough to move out of the diaper box (yellow box in the background) just yet, but they don't need a bulb that puts out much heat now.

Sooo cute and teeny/tiny. Congrats.