Building My First Coop

[aart]

One more thing you could dink with...add an easy fill plug in top.
I used a large(~2") rubber stopper with a small hole for 'vacuum vent'.
Large funnel works good for anti-perch top, just set it on top.

 

[adirondak5]

One more thing you could dink with...add an easy fill plug in top.
I used a large(~2") rubber stopper with a small hole for 'vacuum vent'.
Large funnel works good for anti-perch top, just set it on top.

Good idea to use a funnel for no roost aart . Not sure if E-Z fill is needed with the Gamma lid , I'll see how it works out when I start using it . Thanks for the suggestions

 

[adirondak5]

I opened the nest box yesterday . The girls are at 16 weeks and I want to get them accustomed to the nesting boxes , hopefully they'll be laying soon , well in a month or so . I also added another Wyze Cam so I can monitor the nesting boxes .

 

[K0k0shka]

Wow, getting big!

 

[adirondak5]

Wow, getting big!

Yes , they are . They grow fast .

 

[K0k0shka]

How’s your automatic door working out? I’m starting to think it would be more practical and cheaper to get one myself, instead of wrapping the whole run in expensive, dense HC to be able to leave the pop door open at night... I got free 2”x2” welded wire panels from a neighbor so that will stop the big predators. But for smaller critters... the automatic door might make more sense. But all of them seem to have a certain percentage of one-star reviews saying they don’t work

 

[adirondak5]

How’s your automatic door working out? I’m starting to think it would be more practical and cheaper to get one myself, instead of wrapping the whole run in expensive, dense HC to be able to leave the pop door open at night... I got free 2”x2” welded wire panels from a neighbor so that will stop the big predators. But for smaller critters... the automatic door might make more sense. But all of them seem to have a certain percentage of one-star reviews saying they don’t work

The Ladies First door is working just fine , I haven't had any problems with it since installation . It opens every morning at daylight and closes every evening approx 15 minutes after dark . My birds are usually roosted and sleeping by the time the door closes , they've all been in the coop at least 10 minutes before door closes . The batteries are the same rechargeable batteries that shipped with the door so the solar charger works as it should . I've used the manual overide switch a few times , for cleaning and such , and it works every time . Overall I am quite happy with this door and would recommend it .
Are you still planning on hatching your chicks ?

Edit : added video of door closing this evening

 

[K0k0shka]

Sounds great, thanks! And yes, still planning on hatching the chicks. I should probably start looking for an incubator at some point soon... Hoping to rent/borrow one, since this will probably be a one-time kind of endeavor, not worth buying an incubator for it.

 

[adirondak5]

A few of the girls are really starting to show some interest in the nesting boxes , their combs and wattles are starting to plump up and are getting darker red .

 

[aart]

Ooooo....pretty soon now!!