Before I rebuild, what would yall do differently?

[wrathsfarm]

If there's nutrition information on the feed bag, I bet a lot of people would be interested to see a picture of the label!

And a pic of that incubator... Don't pitch that just yet, @z3lda3 . You may need it for Marans eggs.

 

[z3lda3]

If there's nutrition information on the feed bag, I bet a lot of people would be interested to see a picture of the label!

I may have thrown it in the trash can, I’ll dig around! How about some 1949 stamps, 1950s magazine and newspapers or a pamphlet on babies and polio?? Mason jars from the 40s a whole flipping box, don’t ask me why this stuff was in the corner.. no clue. Also apparently the guy liked to take a nip of whiskey in the coop, and hide it from the wife?? Old liquor bottle too.

 

[z3lda3]

And a pic of that incubator... Don't pitch that just yet, @z3lda3 . You may need it for Marans eggs.

There’s no way I’d even plug this thing in. And I’d have no idea how to use it. Looked like this.

 

[z3lda3]

There’s no way I’d even plug this thing in. And I’d have no idea how to use it. Looked like this.

And don’t you worry your pretty little head @wrathsfarm I’ve got a nice new incubator for Kongs bambino’s!!

 

[paintedChix]

Ok ok. Can and will do! Question: so should I cover the windows with plywood or whatever that flat wood is called, during the winter? Or maybe shutters? Or??

No! Well, functional shutters that could cover your windows during hurricanes would be pretty when left open most of the year. Drives me insane that so many NCers have decorative shutters, then run around like chicken little - "the sky is falling, the sky is falling", trying to board stuff up...

HWC, so you can open the windows during our recent CRAZY temp fluctuations. I'll have my husband go through the readings. Not sure yet what part of NC you are in, but pretty sure that in all 3 months - Dec, Jan, Feb & Mar, that we in Harnett/Moore county, had nights below freezing, then temps AND humidity went crazy high (know in march while still in rehab it hit 92° w/ something like 80% humidity) during the day. I had 3 chickens at the time - I was in hospital (broken ankle & complications) & rehab during several of those temp changes... I was miserable in room in rehab, friends' said thier chickens had hard time w/ the constant up/down this winter...

More ventilation up high, above their roosts. You stated windows were 5'-ish, but I don't remember height of your roost heights.

A GREAT article on ventilation is by 3KillerBs - who also lives here in NC. Currently featured on opening page of BYC. Can't figure our how to do a link to it...

Ok, I wad on page 4, so will continue this thread, LOL. Have 7 more pages to read as of now...

 

[paintedChix]

Of course duh, plastic sheeting! Why am I making this so complicated???

Are drafts coming in those windows. I guess I'm not understanding why they need to be covered at all...

Then, on those crazy temp fluctuation days, you'd need to take plastic down & put it back up.

Are you in Pilot, Black Mountain, Boone or Asheville & surrounding areas? Just not sure why this appears to be so complicated in this case. How long did previous owner's raise chickens & rabbits? Did what they built work? If so, where's the confusion? Repair what needs repairing & enjoy your chickens.

 

[z3lda3]

No! Well, functional shutters that could cover your windows during hurricanes would be pretty when left open most of the year. Drives me insane that so many NCers have decorative shutters, then run around like chicken little - "the sky is falling, the sky is falling", trying to board stuff up...

HWC, so you can open the windows during our recent CRAZY temp fluctuations. I'll have my husband go through the readings. Not sure yet what part of NC you are in, but pretty sure that in all 3 months - Dec, Jan, Feb & Mar, that we in Harnett/Moore county, had nights below freezing, then temps AND humidity went crazy high (know in march while still in rehab it hit 92° w/ something like 80% humidity) during the day. I had 3 chickens at the time - I was in hospital (broken ankle & complications) & rehab during several of those temp changes... I was miserable in room in rehab, friends' said thier chickens had hard time w/ the constant up/down this winter...

More ventilation up high, above their roosts. You stated windows were 5'-ish, but I don't remember height of your roost heights.

A GREAT article on ventilation is by 3KillerBs - who also lives here in NC. Currently featured on opening page of BYC. Can't figure our how to do a link to it...

Ok, I wad on page 4, so will continue this thread, LOL. Have 7 more pages to read as of now...

I’m in caswell county NC, and yes those temps fluctuate! Oh look it’s spring time- no wait an ice storm.
When I mentioned shutters I meant actual functional shutters. I’m all for a nice looking coop, but I’m a functional over form gal! Are my chickens safe and healthy? That’s my absolute priority. I think I’ve figured out some things. I’ve got HC on inside of windows, the windows are storm windows, so I’ll not cover those at all. Don’t ask me what I was thinking..
I’m going to add more ventilation at the top of coop, like in the eaves. With hc of course. And I’ll be honest, I’m not above bringing my chickens inside during a hurricane (we get our fair share). My husband is working on a safe space in the basement for them. Just a throw them in, keep them safe area.

 

[z3lda3]

Are drafts coming in those windows. I guess I'm not understanding why they need to be covered at all...

Then, on those crazy temp fluctuation days, you'd need to take plastic down & put it back up.

Are you in Pilot, Black Mountain, Boone or Asheville & surrounding areas? Just not sure why this appears to be so complicated in this case. How long did previous owner's raise chickens & rabbits? Did what they built work? If so, where's the confusion? Repair what needs repairing & enjoy your chickens.

lol where were you a week ago??? I over think and complicate EVERYTHING!

 

[z3lda3]

lol where were you a week ago??? I over think and complicate EVERYTHING!

And previous ppl had chickens for over 20 years, it worked just fine apparently.

 

[wrathsfarm]

@

Are drafts coming in those windows. I guess I'm not understanding why they need to be covered at all...

Then, on those crazy temp fluctuation days, you'd need to take plastic down & put it back up.

Are you in Pilot, Black Mountain, Boone or Asheville & surrounding areas? Just not sure why this appears to be so complicated in this case. How long did previous owner's raise chickens & rabbits? Did what they built work? If so, where's the confusion? Repair what needs repairing & enjoy your chickens.

@z3lda3 is fairly new to chicken keeping, let's help her out along the way. Overcomplicating and confusion comes with any major build/remodel but she wants what's best for her flock...
There's no dumb questions here, we were all there once.