Authentic Woods KD (Knock Down) 10' by 16' Coop Build

[Ted Brown]

The 'training' is just to get them to 'learn' where the doors are...
....after that they should be good to go.

She focused on getting them in and out of the three small brooder doors and left their food/water inside. They soon were in and out without issue, certainly liked being in the larger area but went into the coop when they wanted to eat or drink.

Late this afternoon we started integration by letting one of the older pullets into the coop. She was quickly surrounded by the chicks who were pecking at her face, she tired of that and chased them off but they are quick. After an hour we let two more older pullets in; more pecking, this time mostly on the part of the older ones, the chicks all went back into the brooder in short order. I would say they will co-mingle quickly.

 

[aart]

...she tired of that and chased them off but they are quick.

Fast moving small targets is the key reason to integrate them young..and being able to utilize 'tiny doors' to the 'safe place'.
Watching the chicks scamper away always cracks me up!

 

[Ted Brown]

More work on the coop.

I modified my nest box; added a 3rd nest, now have one that is just less than 30" wide and the new one is 15". I had two pullets that were laying in the triangle formed by the sloping roof on top. I closed access with two triangles of HC and got two unhappy ladies so I added a box hoping will make them content again. Still need to extend roof and put back in place.

I closed access to change the rolling egg setup and add heat tape but at one level only; used HC in the front part of tilted floor (under the cover board), will mount heat tape below and then a layer of fire resistant insulation under that. Thought it would be simple but took six hours.

Also made a door for the pop opening. Simple but effective and now can be opened from outside. Critter security will be a nail dropped through a hole drilled in the PVC when the door is closed.

 

[Ted Brown]

@aart @jthornton and any others with input.

We think we need to change the bedding in the coop after about six weeks of seven pullets being confined inside (run not ready). A bit of a smell has developed and winter is near; plan is to move current bedding into the run and start with new mulch plus straw inside; pullets are now outside for the majority of the day and our eight chicks (about 5 weeks old) will start going outside within the next month.

My sister is concerned that the mulch (see below) is damp/wet, will not dry and therefore will negatively affect the flock. We can buy packaged pine shavings in lieu of the mulch (will still add straw) but it is more expensive, will do whatever is best.

 

[aart]

I like it dry inside, so go with the bagged kiln dried large shavings(white bag at TSC).
Even those can get damp with the humidity here, especially during thaws.
I do toss in some straw once in a while, but very little as it is not absorbent but can add some insulative properties.

 

[Folly's place]

Wet bedding is bad! Bagged shavings for horse bedding is what we use here, with a bit of hay or straw sometimes.
Price shop! The TSC shavings are more expensive than the stuff at a nearby privately owned feed store, and that's where we usually get ours.
Mary

 

[aart]

The TSC shavings are more expensive than the stuff at a nearby privately owned feed store, and that's where we usually get ours.

I've found that too, but the cheaper shavings I've found are rather smaller and 'break down' faster...so I stick with the large flake.

 

[Folly's place]

The shaving we get at Webberville Farm and Feed are usually nicer too.
Mary

 

[Ted Brown]

@aart @Folly's place

Thank you both. I went to our local feed and seed and bought pine shavings, did not have a choice so got what they had.

I also got a load of the mulch to be used outside in the run. It is wet since we have had three days of rain but the run space under the coop is gravel and only has leaves that are breaking down quickly, we need a base that will stand up. I will rake the leaves out of the way and spread the mulch, re-cover with the remaining leaves and add straw. Given that it is outside I am hoping the mulch will dry at least somewhat before our temperatures drop and stay below 0C.

 

[jthornton]

pullets are now outside for the majority of the day and our eight chicks (about 5 weeks old) will start going outside within the next month.

When they spend the day outside and the night up on the roost there will be little poop to deal with in the coop unless they just like to hang out in there because it's so cool.

JT