Building new coop

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Comets are not a good breed to keep for more then more then 2 years. There eggs get bigger as they get older. I bought 5 hoping i would like them for egg production. I absolutely hate them now. There eggs have gotten so large that I'm worried they will break in the vent, which is what I've heard from numerous people.


Mine will be 2 years in July. I am butchering this spring as like i said I feel an egg is going to burst.

400

They've only been laying eggs this size for the last month and they keep getting bigger. Egg in middle is a Leghorn egg
 
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henryraven86 said:
well the boards for the coop leave an inch opening on the sides for air and to see out of.
Click to expand...

I don't know what predators you have in your area, but an inch area is far too much. Weasels can squeeze through an opening any bigger than 1/2", and you will have mice, as well as possibly bats and wild birds, perhaps even squirrels, able to come in your coop at any time. No biggie, right? Wrong. Wild birds, mice, and squirrels all eat food, and carry diseases. Weasels will kill every bird in your coop if they get in. Also, that still isn't enough ventilation, nor do the birds need to see out of.
Here is what you want ( a rough idea )
Ventilation. Near the top of the roof, right underneath where most warm, moist air will rise out of. Ventilation is not used to create drafts, but to get moisture out of the coop: therefore, keep it up high, and plentiful. The only time you should EVER have ventilation closed is during very stormy weather (like a hurricane, tornado, high winds, freezing rain, etc. Severe weather only. Even then, one vent should be left open preferably.) Even in winter, ventilation is kept open. Wet birds are not happy, and birds' breath has a lot of moisture in it.
lighting. The birds don't NEED to see out of the coop, nor is this standard. HOWEVER, a window is preferable, and often used. In cold climates a window can be positioned to allow the birds to sun-bathe inside the coop. Windows either need to be openable (for warm weather), or coverable (in summer, if your summers are very hot.)
Safety. Latch your doors with multi-step latches if you have raccoons. Even then, it's still a good idea. Even the nesting boxes, and chicken door, need good latches. Use hardware cloth to cover ventilation holes so weasels do not come in and kill every bird. Consider every predator, even stray cats and dogs, or your own pets, and protect against everything possible.
Roosts. 8-12" of roost space per bird. 2-3' off the ground, unless you use a "ladder" system.
Nesting boxes. Standard size is 12"x12"x12", although mine are 14"x14"x12". One nesting box for 4-5 hens. May be raised or covered.

The main things required in a coop are:
No drafts... but have ventilation!!! There is a difference between ventilated and drafty.
Roosts, and nesting boxes.
Bedding.
Lighting!! Improves bird mood and egg production.
Security against predators. Anything and everything loves a fresh chicken dinner.
 
Welshies said:
I don't know what predators you have in your area, but an inch area is far too much. Weasels can squeeze through an opening any bigger than 1/2", and you will have mice, as well as possibly bats and wild birds, perhaps even squirrels, able to come in your coop at any time. No biggie, right? Wrong. Wild birds, mice, and squirrels all eat food, and carry diseases. Weasels will kill every bird in your coop if they get in. Also, that still isn't enough ventilation, nor do the birds need to see out of.
Here is what you want ( a rough idea )
Ventilation. Near the top of the roof, right underneath where most warm, moist air will rise out of. Ventilation is not used to create drafts, but to get moisture out of the coop: therefore, keep it up high, and plentiful. The only time you should EVER have ventilation closed is during very stormy weather (like a hurricane, tornado, high winds, freezing rain, etc. Severe weather only. Even then, one vent should be left open preferably.) Even in winter, ventilation is kept open. Wet birds are not happy, and birds' breath has a lot of moisture in it.
lighting. The birds don't NEED to see out of the coop, nor is this standard. HOWEVER, a window is preferable, and often used. In cold climates a window can be positioned to allow the birds to sun-bathe inside the coop. Windows either need to be openable (for warm weather), or coverable (in summer, if your summers are very hot.) 
Safety. Latch your doors with multi-step latches if you have raccoons. Even then, it's still a good idea. Even the nesting boxes, and chicken door, need good latches. Use hardware cloth to cover ventilation holes so weasels do not come in and kill every bird. Consider every predator, even stray cats and dogs, or your own pets, and protect against everything possible.
Roosts. 8-12" of roost space per bird. 2-3' off the ground, unless you use a "ladder" system.
Nesting boxes. Standard size is 12"x12"x12", although mine are 14"x14"x12". One nesting box for 4-5 hens. May be raised or covered. 

The main things required in a coop are:
No drafts... but have ventilation!!! There is a difference between ventilated and drafty.
Roosts, and nesting boxes.
Bedding.
Lighting!! Improves bird mood and egg production.
​Security against predators. Anything and everything loves a fresh chicken dinner.
Click to expand...
ok thanks I'll have to rethink my coop design.
 
henryraven86 said:
ok thanks I'll have to rethink my coop design.
Click to expand...

Another good thing to know. All chicken wire, or hardware cloth goed on thr inside of the oen or whatever you are using it for. If a raccoon or skunk is pulling on it and it's on the inside it is less likely to be pulled off if the wire is on the outside
 
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So with the advise of previous comments. I changed my order two days ago, I will now have 6 golden comet and 7 black australorp with one comet and one BA Rooster. I still want to have my own experience with the comet chickens so I reduced the count. Thanks for the feedback. I will post a picture tomorrow with an update. The chick's get here on the 8th can't wait!

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 

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