Anyone from Colorado?

[mjolly]

Hello,

I too am new to chickens this year and live in Englewood (south Metro area). My hen house is a converted palyhouse I found on craig'slist. I insulated it with some recycled foam board from craigslist and used 1/2 inch plyboard for the interior walls. The playhouse had window openings so I built window screens and will use plexiglass on the inside to cover them during the winter. We re-roofed it and added a roof vent for heat during the summer.

The hen house is enclosed in a 12' x 18 ft dog run. I too used 1/2 inch hardwire cloth around the bottom of the coop. I buried the 1/2" mesh about 12 inches below the ground, then placed larfge stones around the exterior to help ward off any predators form digging in. I also used dog run panels on the top of the enclosure. I also have a motion detector light mounted onthe sisde of the garage to help protect them and alert e to any potential predators. We have many foxes and recently I saw a coyote, as well as skunks and raccoons. So although I feel as though I have "the girls" inside a maximum security prison, they at least are protected.

It's been fun. Glad to see others from Colorado here!

Marva

 

[mylilchix]

Personally, I'd love to do a chicken coop tour (espceially once ours is finished). I'm a very visual person. Once I see something it helps me get a better idea of how our construction process should go.

Sonja

 

[cloudlet]

Hi,

I'm a very newbie, and have been reading this forum all day. I live in Northern Colorado and am thrilled to find folks with answers to Colorado specific questions.

As to the question "where to by styrofoam board" (also known as beadboard) you can try Styromaterials in Denver. They may be wholesale only, I can't remember. I used them for work, both the day job and side work, but I have a business license, so I could use them and I really have no recollection if they sell to the public. But, they ARE the local resource for all types of styrofoam.

 

[coloradochick]

fellow Coloradoan. You are already hooked if you've been here all day

 

[LoneCowboy]

Budget Home Center in Longmont has styrofoam board.

I thought bead board was like Wanescotting

At least that's what we all called it when I lived in Utah.

 

[cloudlet]

Oh, I'm not merely hooked...

We decided to get chickens and start a backyard farm on our lot, which is in a subdivision, but, happily, zoned farming and I'm allowed 13 chickens. I'm only looking for 4-6. We do want to have the ultra large garden and we have 4 dogs.

So, now I'm onto research. Found a place in Fort Collins to acquire chicks, at any time of year. And am researching coops, runs, etc.

I'm excited about finding this site! Though, we are switching our internet and I will be without until Friday. I may have to hang out all day at Panera's with their free internet!

Claudette

 

[Highaltitudechicks]

Hi All,
We used an old ski racing shack and converted it to chicken house and feed room for chicks and horses. I will use regular insulation and a heater if necessary since it does get cold up here in Fraser. We have 5 pullets and 1roo about 7 weeks old. Unfortunatly I didnt take any pics before the clean up and remodel.

 

[coloradochick]

And yes it does get cold up there. What kind of chicks do you have?

 

[LoneCowboy]

Well, I have chicks here in longmont for sale. I have 20 left from this order, and if I get these sold soon, I'll bring in another order at the end of the month. Check Craigslist for chicks and chickens.

 

[drumstyx]

I lived in Conifer for the last 6 years and my first coop was made from old pallets on a dirt floor. I would use old hay for floor bedding in the winter and a heat lamp at night. I built a bigger raised coop the last year I was up there and used a stall mat on the floor and shavings when it got really cold. I have since moved down closer to town (outside of Golden) and was give a great coop that I use stall mats and heat lamp during the cold nights. I've found that if you can keep the draft and moisture out they will do well with the cold............I still feel guilty and use a heat lamp though.