California Coop Concerns

[Dr.Doorlock]

COMPOST! I use one of those compost tumblers. After six weeks, it's time to feed the garden and by then the shavings, poo, coffee grounds and scraps the birds don't eat are "cooked". I'm expecting a bumper crop of corn and the coop get's cleaned every week.

Life is goooood!

 

[vckums]

Hmm I will have to google what a compost tumbler is. We read a few websites and it sounded rather complicated.

I like how the bottom slides out. Very interesting! I have ideas, but can't draw except for stick figues. Hubby has to deal with me trying to explain my ideas LOL poor guy.

 

[highcountrychickens]

Don't worry too much about the cold - I have a handful that does just fine in Jackson Hole winters... they stay in the insulated henhouse on really cold and stormy days, but have the option of going out if they want - I keep it no colder than 45-50, and on really cold days (-20 to -30) I have a heat lamp for them as well. That's it. Other than a little stir craziness, they did great! No frostbite, no problems. The best coop concepts are on the coop section of this site. I have seen some with a 'drawer' for cleaning and gathering 'compost' Yes, they like to roost inside at night, so put "perches" or roosts inside for them... mine also like to sit on something off the ground outside when they're preening before they go in at night. They like to have a chance to go outside the coop for dust baths and to hunt for bugs (or at least have access to ground). In all of your research, don't forget to have fun!

 

[vckums]

Ok was asleep, but had what I think is a good idea and wanted to share while I still remembered. lol

I kept thinking about the bottom of the coop. How to make it easy to clean. I really liked the idea of pulling the bottom out, but wanted to make sure bedding stayed in while the bottoms pulled out.

And then the thought hit me, we have some IKEA storage bins in our home. The bins slide in and out via a notch in the wood.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/S89842470

So then I thought where could I find big enough bins that are deep but not too deep. We had figured the run was going to be 3'Wx8'Lx5'H. Then I got the lightbulb moment, underbed storage bins!

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10401039

Little short width wise but that can be made up with wooden frame. Deep enough for bedding. And I was thinking between each bin we could put a wooden rod so they can perch on. I'd also want the bins to rest on a wooden floor for stability.

I hope Hubby can pull this off!!

Feedback greatly appreciated!

 

[Tala]

Quote:
What would happen if you put your redworms directly in that? or do they need more to eat than just wood shavings and chicken poo?

 

[vckums]

I'm not sure....I guess more research is needed. Thanks for pointing it out!


Another question, for those who have their run on the ground. What do you do to clean the ground when there's poop on it? I don't have space to make the run moveable, but I like the idea of them being on dirt/grass.

 

[eggchel]

The grass will be eaten or scratched up pretty quickly unless you have a large pen and only a few hens. I put down shavings on the ground occasionally and that can be raked up and put in the compost.


I think worms need more than shavings and poo. The shavings will dry out the poo and then it will be too dry for the worms. You will need to add green material for composting and kitchen scraps for worming.



I have a variety of coops, some with enclosed coops with wooden floors and others that are just fenced pens with roofs over them. The birds are fine all year 'round in the SFBay area.

 

[ItsSuzzie]

Hello Club,

I am from So. Calif, Inland Empire area. We have high winds and ocassional rain, and very hot summers. Come on by on your way into
Las Vegas if you wish. Since I live in an RV, I do not have any accomidations, but I have 2 1/2 acres of sand and brush, so be prepared
to camp when you come.

Since we have coyotes, bobcats, mountan Lions, Scorpions, Snakes, and a whole list of rodents, I have my coupes on a Cement flooring. All but my
large coupe at this point, it is a money thing. I put straw on the ground, so my babies walk on dry straw...the mixture gets solid after a time. I rake
it out and add new straw. Ocassionally I actually scrape it down to the cement. Always when I move in new birds or chicks.

My coupes are made of 2 x 3 boards and wire. My roof is OSB and you know my floor is cement. I need to remove the chicken wire and change it to the 1/4 inch square mesh. Mice climb wire...ever seen a mouse climb up and into your coupe.....eeeek a mouse, lol. I had no idea they could climb.

This is how it all started out, my first coupe. And still standing I might add, since 2007.

Here is the pannel that is the door.

This is the other pannels.

I hope all of this helps. These pannels are four feet wide, makes this coupe eight feet by eight feet. Here is what I have today. This original
coupe is still right up against the wooden shack.

And...still building.

We do get snow up here for a few days. I take OSB boards and put them
up against the coupes using these metal brackets to hold them on. This is not very warm, but it blocks the wind and the snow.

I do not do the compost thing. I do spread the chick-a-pooh mix onto my land for fertilizer and drag the land. Here is a coupe I cleaned out for my
2009 babies.....

Cement floor.

Add straw to the floor.

Now add the babies.

And there you have it. The straw breaks down and sticks to the bottom. I have been told that this breakdown causes a heating reaction. And, that is a good thing.

I hope this helped. If you drive to Big Bear, I am on the back side of the
Mountain, going into Big Bear Lake, feel free to stop by and see it live.

 

[vckums]

All the pictures make me want LAND!! lol I used to think my backyard was a good size, not anymore.

Hmm maybe ought to think about talking hubby into moving and buying land.

 

[GardeNerd]

Hi,

I am in Southern California on the coast. We sure heated up yesterday here. My coop did well in the heat, but I still hosed down the run for an air conditioning effect in the late afternoon.

I use newspaper under my roosts. I take it out in the morning and shread into the compost pile. I have never had so many red wigglers! Chicken poop is great! Always had red wigglers, but they are loving all the chicken poo and paper. It seems like it must be a good green to brown ratio for them.

The Chickens poop some, but not near as much, elsewhere in my coop and run, but that doesn't get cleaned daily. I have sand in the run and shavings in the coop.

Your idea for storage bins sounds neat and should work for composting. Take lots of pictures during construction.