TheWriteChick
Chirping
- Sep 25, 2017
- 37
- 88
- 99
I was a sucker and bought a Costco coop. In my defense, it was easier than building from scratch, and I got it with my reward check. I knew there were a couple issues with the design, but it's been more of a pain than I'd expected, especially since we entered what I like to call rainy season here in the Pacific Northwest (roughly September to May) and the roof started leaking. I have a few dry days and I had picked up a freebie coop (mainly to get the fencing that came with it), thinking of expanding our flock next spring. But now I'm thinking that altering the giveaway might be easier than dealing with the design flaws and the leakage in the "nicer" one. I'll just keep that to separate mamas and babies when we do add more. So, the freebie has no ventilation, no roosts, and no door for cleaning. It's made out of 2x4s and particle board, with a nesting box opposite the pop door. It's roughly 4'x4', raised 2 ft. or so off the ground.The roof is actually some nice plastic ridged stuff that is good and sturdy and leak-proof. It's the main reason I think this is preferable to the Costco coop. It's slanted one way, and overhangs nicely.
Questions:
1. Plan for ventilation is to drill large holes near the top and cover with hardware cloth left over from covering their brooder box. That seems to be the easiest fix.
2 Since it's particle board, I'm not sure it will weather well, inside or out. I'm already seeing a little moldy stuff on the outside. I'm thinking of painting it or otherwise somehow weatherproofing it. Any recommendations as to what I should use? Non-toxic paint in case they peck at it? I may have some clear weatherproofing stuff left over from our deck. Would that work? It would be nice if it were pretty, but it's not absolutely necessary at this point. I'm more concerned about the rain.
3. The floor, also particleboard. I've read about using some rubberized roof stuff? That's my inclination, if it wouldn't mess with the wood underneath. Any ideas on that? Or anything else I might use to keep the particleboard from rotting? Again, just the weatherproofing from the deck?
4. Roosts. I'm leaning toward putting a couple of roosts in front to back (from above the pop hole to above the wall in front of the nests). Probably just screwing in a board through the side 2x4s at an appropriate height, then screwing roosts on top of those. So they're not dependent on the particle board. Sound reasonable?
5. Poop. My chickens have been huddling in a corner of their coop, nearest the (blocked off at night) nest boxes, probably because the roosts are all of an inch off the ground - design flaw with the purchased coop. I've been scooping the poop with a designated spatula in the morning so they don't walk in it on the way to the nests. I couldn't handle finding flat poop on bare boards. I'd prefer something a little less hands on. Thinking about sticking a board under the roosts that I can just pull out and dump in the compost in the morning. I've seen some fancy sliding floors, but I don't think it's worth the investment in this coop. Though, if they're actually sleeping on the roosts, I would probably be fine with some bedding under there. I can always make the kids clean it out once a week or so. Deep litter isn't really an option, with the pop door level with the floor. Ideas?
6. For a cleaning door, I'm thinking of cutting off the bottom half or more of the side and putting a hinge on one side and some secure latches on the other. There was a reason I was thinking this wouldn't work, but I can't remember what it was. Again, a hinge and some latches would be more secure if attached to the 2x4s.
I'd appreciate any feedback as I tackle the revamping. I'm trying to keep it simple as I need to do most of the renovating myself in the next few days, and I can't make 5 million trips to Home Depot with 3 kids. If I have to, I can replace the particle board, but I wanted to avoid that level of effort with the limited tools and time available to me. We already have the top and sides off, so I can get to everything and do most of the work pretty easily.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Questions:
1. Plan for ventilation is to drill large holes near the top and cover with hardware cloth left over from covering their brooder box. That seems to be the easiest fix.
2 Since it's particle board, I'm not sure it will weather well, inside or out. I'm already seeing a little moldy stuff on the outside. I'm thinking of painting it or otherwise somehow weatherproofing it. Any recommendations as to what I should use? Non-toxic paint in case they peck at it? I may have some clear weatherproofing stuff left over from our deck. Would that work? It would be nice if it were pretty, but it's not absolutely necessary at this point. I'm more concerned about the rain.
3. The floor, also particleboard. I've read about using some rubberized roof stuff? That's my inclination, if it wouldn't mess with the wood underneath. Any ideas on that? Or anything else I might use to keep the particleboard from rotting? Again, just the weatherproofing from the deck?
4. Roosts. I'm leaning toward putting a couple of roosts in front to back (from above the pop hole to above the wall in front of the nests). Probably just screwing in a board through the side 2x4s at an appropriate height, then screwing roosts on top of those. So they're not dependent on the particle board. Sound reasonable?
5. Poop. My chickens have been huddling in a corner of their coop, nearest the (blocked off at night) nest boxes, probably because the roosts are all of an inch off the ground - design flaw with the purchased coop. I've been scooping the poop with a designated spatula in the morning so they don't walk in it on the way to the nests. I couldn't handle finding flat poop on bare boards. I'd prefer something a little less hands on. Thinking about sticking a board under the roosts that I can just pull out and dump in the compost in the morning. I've seen some fancy sliding floors, but I don't think it's worth the investment in this coop. Though, if they're actually sleeping on the roosts, I would probably be fine with some bedding under there. I can always make the kids clean it out once a week or so. Deep litter isn't really an option, with the pop door level with the floor. Ideas?
6. For a cleaning door, I'm thinking of cutting off the bottom half or more of the side and putting a hinge on one side and some secure latches on the other. There was a reason I was thinking this wouldn't work, but I can't remember what it was. Again, a hinge and some latches would be more secure if attached to the 2x4s.
I'd appreciate any feedback as I tackle the revamping. I'm trying to keep it simple as I need to do most of the renovating myself in the next few days, and I can't make 5 million trips to Home Depot with 3 kids. If I have to, I can replace the particle board, but I wanted to avoid that level of effort with the limited tools and time available to me. We already have the top and sides off, so I can get to everything and do most of the work pretty easily.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
Ya' ever notice for being a chicken site there are no chicken smiley's?
