Arizona Coopers!

[MamaGrizzz]

Hi, I'm in Tucson AZ and just got my 4 babies this week.
I'm starting to plan coop construction and use recycled items.
I was wondering what everyone though of using peg board for two of the sides to help keep it ventilated since we get so hot here.
During the winter I plan on either bringing them in at night or putting them in my shed with a small heater.
I have TONS of empty water bottles so I'm freezing some right now for the chicks to cool off on and I change their water 3-4+ times a day until I get an auto waterer.

Thoughts?

 

[Chick Charm]

I lived in the valley for a while and raised chickens while I was there. My avatar was taken there. No need for heat in the coop if that helps. Yes, it does get cold some nights but they will be just fine in a coop without heat. A three sided open air coop works well in the AZ heat. Misters can be your best friend. But shade is KING! They do go through a lot of water. Peg board will work if you keep it dry.

Wish ya the best.

 

[MamaGrizzz]

Hmm.... Ok. Do you recommend the A frame type, or a box type with one side open? Or is that just personal preference?

 

[Chick Charm]

It is a matter of preference. But you can't have too much ventilation. I'll post some of my AZ coop pics for ya tomorrow.

 

[Chick Charm]

 

[MamaGrizzz]

Ok, see, I had a friend help me out with lingo. I was calling my coop a run I guess.
So the area the birds will be in is 1 side my house, 2 sides 6ft wood fence backed by 6 ft chain link, and 1 side 6ft wrought iron that I'll be putting wire fencing over to prevent escaping/intrusion.
I guess my question changes now to the house or nesting area. But I think I've figured out what I'm going to do.
My neighbor is getting rid of some junk and I'm using most of it for my coop, one happens to be a wood shelf that I'll be adding another shelf to and putting sides on. After construction it will be a 2 story and have 4 nest boxes and will rest just above the ground so the birds have the choice of low or high nesting.
I'm thinking of doing 2 sides of peg board so they get ventilation in there.
I read that the birds don't sleep in the nest boxes... So where do they sleep?

 

[Chick Charm]

Chickens like to roost on a roost. That could be a tree branch or even most pieces of lumber. 2X3's, 2X4's, even 2X2's will work. Make sure you roosts are higher than your nest boxes otherwise they will choose the nest boxes to roost and poop in them big time.

 

[MamaGrizzz]

I have a few 2x2's and old fence slats that I'll set up. Also have an old comforter rack (looks like a saddle rack to me, but was told otherwise) that I'm going to set out in case they'll use it.
I got really excited about an old cabinet I found to turn into 2 nest boxes, but it's 10x16 so it's probably too small
I love building projects so this is kind of fun (only kind of because I wish I had more/better tools). I might set the cabinet out for the chicks while they're young and continue the build of the large nest condo I have planned for when they grow older.


If any end up being roos and I have to rehome them, how hard is it to add to a "flock" that is this young?

 

[Chick Charm]

MammaGrizz the 10 X 16 is likely big enough for possibly. Chickens prefer a private, secluded small space. I have had full sized big birds prefer to lay in a 9X9 nest that I had for my bantams. Give you cabinet a try and see if they like it.

You can add but there will be difficulty if there is more than 3 weeks age difference. It is better to do it when they are young chicks now as opposed to waiting much longer though. The first batch tend to beat up the new guys pretty good for a while. But over time things do settle down. Though the add on's stay on the bottom for a long while.

 

[MamaGrizzz]

Ok. So, my roommate and I spent 4 hours on construction of a MUCH larger nesting area for the birds last night.
It's about 2ftx4ft and just about 3ft high, particle board on top and bottom (several layers) with peg board on 3 sides, front open. It's about 4 inches raised of the floor and we made a shelf to go in the middle so it'll be 2 story. The only further construction that will be needed is a much more slanted roof for our rainy season.
I painted the whole thing in a latex paint because I was worried about the chickens getting splinters (I'm sure they don't but my brain says I should be nice) and figured it'd help keep the wood from taking in too much moisture.
I read a bunch of other posts and saw that the birds sometimes like milk crates (I have a bunch of those), and I saw one that used an old kitty litter bin (which I also have a few of and will continue to have them) so I'll be putting one of the two on the top shelf and the other on the bottom in case they like to lay low.

I'm keeping my eyes pealed for new pullets to add to my group, but I may have to wait until next payday (why are feedstores cheaper than private parties?).

Today I'm redoing the smaller part of my run that is already covered so that the babies can come out of their box again without escaping. Gonna be another long day in the triple digits!
No worries, I use my hose set on mist (the birds hate it) and frozen water bottles in their box when it gets so hot