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

[Conan]

@honanbm Do I garden, interesting question? I have tried without great success to grow both flowers and vegetables but the soil is a combo of thin topsoil on top of sandy gravel. Provides great drainage but that is a two way street. Gravel of course is not "fertile ground".

As part of the coop build I had to move a load of topsoil that has been here for 20 years and also anticipate where I would dispose of the coop and run bedding excess. I therefore built the 1st of multiple raised gardens (12' by 6') and moved the topsoil to fill it (12+" deep); my sister emptied my compost box and then acquired a load of manure that she dug into the topsoil. She then planted arugula and garlic cloves as a test of how well the bed will perform. Plan is to move any coop/run waste to a composing area for six months then use it on the beds. Fingers crossed that this will solve my poor soil conditions.

My poor mom can sympathize. She spent many years tilling, hauling goat barn compost, and rabbit compost to improve the soil of their garden. While they had the critters to provide manure, the garden did really well. Once they got rid of the critters, and used commercial soil improvements, it started to go downhill.

Your system sounds great! The compost will help, especially using raised beds. I'd love to hear how your garlic does — mine loves rich, composted soil. I once grew a small bed in bird compost alone. The heads were enormous.

 

[Conan]

The "metal tub thingy" is actually the bottom of a 55 gallon plastic food barrel that I cut with a jig saw, complete with handles, as a dust bath for the flock. I will probably make another for the run outside. It is filled with clean construction sand and pure wood ash from my wood stoves. The ladies simply love it and often one can see clouds of dust rising up, both when they use it and when they shake themselves off after use.

A BTW, a few days back I noticed a light grey patch under the open monitor windows, thought it was frost from overnight. I went up on Wednesday to close the windows and discovered it was ash dust. Proved that the ventilation premise of a Woods coop works as advertised and also that ash dust is lighter than air.

Very creative use of a tub! A wood ash dust bath. I recently added one to my coop, but I built it on the ground as I wasn't sure if they'd use a tub, plus I have five Cream Brabanters that prefer bathing in a pile. They do use it, but I am already seeing that they are able to fling too much material out than I would like. A tub is wise...

 

[Ted Brown]

... They do use it, but I am already seeing that they are able to fling too much material out than I would like. A tub is wise...

As you can see I made the tub deep (16" or so) for exactly the reason you state (fling too much material out). I had previously used a big flower pot but it was too small and too shallow. I can get the barrels for $10 each and in a pinch can make two tubs from one. However, the ladies still fling dust about just less of it.

I would recommend you try one, as they say "Build it and they will come.".

 

[aart]

As you can see I made the tub deep (16" or so) for exactly the reason you state (fling too much material out). I had previously used a big flower pot but it was too small and too shallow. I can get the barrels for $10 each and in a pinch can make two tubs from one. However, the ladies still fling dust about just less of it.

I would recommend you try one, as they say "Build it and they will come.".

I wonder if they will continue to use now that they have access to the ground?
I've built it, they didn't care.... except once in the dead of winter.

 

[Ted Brown]

I wonder if they will continue to use now that they have access to the ground?
I've built it, they didn't care.... except once in the dead of winter.

I will let you know, the wood ash produces a lot of dust that I could do without but keeping the ladies happy was top of mind when I made it.

The chicks are showing some interest in the tub, frequently up on the sides but they have not been in yet. You have me curious.

 

[Conan]

As you can see I made the tub deep (16" or so) for exactly the reason you state (fling too much material out). I had previously used a big flower pot but it was too small and too shallow. I can get the barrels for $10 each and in a pinch can make two tubs from one. However, the ladies still fling dust about just less of it.

I would recommend you try one, as they say "Build it and they will come.".

I do have access to those big barrels. I believe I'll ask my uncle to half one for me, and give it a try. I think that they'll appreciate it when the wet season hits.

 

[Ted Brown]

I do have access to those big barrels. I believe I'll ask my uncle to half one for me, and give it a try. I think that they'll appreciate it when the wet season hits.

I suggest using a jig saw to cut it, much easier that a hand or reciprocating saw. If you have one cut handles out as shown in my picture above; my BIL suggested it, I tried to lift it with arms around the bottom but it is too big so very awkward. The handles make it easy to shift around.

 

[Ted Brown]

Working to finalize loose ends.

Today I assembled the heater that I will use to (hopefully) protect against the eggs freezing, filled with propylene glycol.

I modified my nest box floor to have HC on the front part, will wrap the pipe wire with fireproof pipe insulation, attach to the HC and connect to a timer.

I am wondering if the chicks will discover the heat source and huddle under it for the hours that it is on?

 

[aart]

Does pipe wire just heat the middle pipe of the three?
What kind of couplers are those?
Can't wait to see it in place.

 

[Ted Brown]

Does pipe wire just heat the middle pipe of the three?
What kind of couplers are those?
Can't wait to see it in place.

I am hoping that the heat will cause the propylene to circulate as I will mount it on an angle but i do not know for sure. The pipe wrap uses 7 watts per foot, I bought a 3 foot length but they come in many lengths so one could get a longer length and put it on all the PEX lengths.

Couplers are standard PEX fittings 90s on the corners, Ts in the middle. One uses compression rings and needs a PEX crimp tool to squeeze them tight. Often the local hardware store will loan them out if they know you.

I will post a pic when I have it mounted.