Carport Barn/Coop

[TheHermanHomestead]

Last week my husband and I decided to make the chickens their own spot in our carport barn that houses our goats.

Before we just used the prefab coops and I would let them out each day to free range, unfortunately we lost 5 a few weeks ago due to a hungry fox.

We covered the goat pasture with netting so nothing comes in or gets out. There is only one way into the barn and that's a regular door that is locked.

The chickens seem to be happy and have a lot of room to roam.

Just looking to see if there is anymore I could do as far as comfort or protection that I might me missing. We live in central Iowa so the winters can be harsh and long at times.

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Guess my only question is where do they roost? Or is that pallet supposed to be a roost? If so, I would replace it with either some branches or 2x3, 2x4s set on brackets attached to the wood frame you've got there. Should be more comfy for the chickens than balancing on the edge of a board.

Since you mentioned this is where you house your goats, have you checked to see how bad condensation gets in the winter? I always worry with a metal structure or roof that there'll be issues with dripping condensation.

 

[TheHermanHomestead]

Guess my only question is where do they roost? Or is that pallet supposed to be a roost? If so, I would replace it with either some branches or 2x3, 2x4s set on brackets attached to the wood frame you've got there. Should be more comfy for the chickens than balancing on the edge of a board.

Since you mentioned this is where you house your goats, have you checked to see how bad condensation gets in the winter? I always worry with a metal structure or roof that there'll be issues with dripping condensation.

The pallet is what I have for a roost right now, but figured I needed to change that to something else.

I didn't notice any condensation last winter. The siding in the front (south) does not go all the way up. We were going to do another row and then use hard wire to fill the gaps, since that's where we get our nice spring/summer breeze from.

There are also small gaps in the back as well as one side. Will the be enough ventilation?

 

[rosemarythyme]

It's a fairly large structure so you're probably good on ventilation, which is to be more of an issue in smaller buildings. I did see the gaps in back and they look decently sized, so if you can leave some large open spaces in front it should be ok. You might need to make adjustments after the first winter storm, but hopefully not.

As far as roost, since you have wood supports around the chicken area, that should give you plenty of options in where to put roost bars.

 

[TheHermanHomestead]

It's a fairly large structure so you're probably good on ventilation, which is to be more of an issue in smaller buildings. I did see the gaps in back and they look decently sized, so if you can leave some large open spaces in front it should be ok. You might need to make adjustments after the first winter storm, but hopefully not.

As far as roost, since you have wood supports around the chicken area, that should give you plenty of options in where to put roost bars.

That's what I told my husband, I didn't want too much snow blowing in but I also dont want it to be completely open. I will certainly watch for condensation this winter.

Maybe I'll try to find an old wooden ladder or have the husband make something better for a roost.

Thank you so much for the input, you've been a great help

 

[aart]

You might want to take the coop mesh all the way to the roof,
or add a mesh 'ceiling' for predator protection.

Also beware of goats gorging on chicken feed...looks like you have larger breed goats so might not be a problem.

 

[TheHermanHomestead]

You might want to take the coop mesh all the way to the roof,
or add a mesh 'ceiling' for predator protection.

Also beware of goats gorging on chicken feed...looks like you have larger breed goats so might not be a problem.

Thank you. We plan on covering the gaps with wire so nothing can get in that way. And you're absolutely right, our goats do love chicken feed. We made a small walkthrough in the door that only the chickens can get in and we have 2 barrel bolts on the door so the goats cant open it.

I've never understood why they like their feed so much

 

[Trux]

've never understood why they like their feed so much

Simply put...Because they are Goats! They will eat anything!

 

[TheHermanHomestead]

Simply put...Because they are Goats! They will eat anything!

Haha you're so right. Silly little creatures they are.

 

[Kat2141]

I would think the steel will be pretty cold in the winter. It might be worth lining it in the chicken pen with 4x8' sheets of thin waferboard just to help. I know that the steel roof in our horse trailer would rain on us from condensation and we put the foam insulation panels against it in the section that we made into a camper and that stopped it.