Cleaning the old coop

[kdk1101]

When we got our babies we were going to clean out the old coop on the property to use. I had not checked it out in detail or we would have waited a year. Now, I'm getting it done but I want to go throat punch the people that lived here before we bought it. The dude seriously never cleaned out his coop. The interior section had 10 inches of poop in one corner.

 

[aart]

Who knows why they left it like that...or why you waited 'til now to check it out.
Is it a nice building other than having to do major cleaning?

 

[kdk1101]

Who knows why they left it like that...or why you waited 'til now to check it out.
Is it a nice building other than having to do major cleaning?

It is a nice building. I had just glanced at it but did not intend to become a chicken mom. My oldest finally wore me down so I said yes before I realized the mess I had.

 

[blackdog043]

Do you have any pics? Are there roosts, nesting boxes and good ventilation?

 

[kdk1101]

Do you have any pics? Are there roosts, nesting boxes and good ventilation?

No pictures but the nesting boxes were full of poop so I took them out and the roosts were 2x6 lumber with the 6" part laid so the birds didn't have a real roost. I took it all off and I am starting over. As for ventilation after I tore down a dungeon like interior I have a covered run that is 16x16 and a 3 sided covered area that is 8X12. I am starting to rebuild roosts and nesting boxes tomorrow using 5 gallon buckets and the lid thingies with a perch on them since I found 6 of them for $4 each at pet smart. The roosts are going to be some 2" to 3" pine branches I have that are sturdy. Until fall/winter it should be good for them since I am in SC and it is in the shade. By October or November I need to add some more walls, windows, and a heat/light source but I'm just trying to make it clean and safe right now.

 

[ChickieChickieMama]

I feel your pain. The "coop" I inherited was originally a horse stable and most recently used as a turkey coop. I removed six contractor garbage bags FULL of old turkey poop!!!!

At least it was nice and aged so now I have a thriving veggie garden!!!

There were so many strange things going on in that structure I have no idea what they were thinking haha. There were many days I would stop to take a break and just think, this is not going to happen...I need to just raze this to the ground and give up.

But don't do that. Now my coop is a beautiful home for my very happy - and very spoiled - chickies. Rags to riches!!

You've got this! Your coop will be amazing soon too!!!!

 

[aart]

Until fall/winter it should be good for them since I am in SC and it is in the shade. By October or November I need to add some more walls, windows, and a heat/light source

Shade is good...you won't need heat.

 

[jthornton]

I am starting to rebuild roosts and nesting boxes tomorrow using 5 gallon buckets and the lid thingies with a perch on them since I found 6 of them for $4 each at pet smart. The roosts are going to be some 2" to 3" pine branches I have that are sturdy. Until fall/winter it should be good for them since I am in SC and it is in the shade. By October or November I need to add some more walls, windows, and a heat/light source but I'm just trying to make it clean and safe right now.

Are you using 5 gallon buckets for nest boxes? That's way too small for a standard size chicken. Got a link to the thingies?

Chickens need draft free ventilation in the winter not heat.

Poop in the nest box means they were sleeping in the nest box which is an indication of improper location in relation to the roost. Read @aart links in the signature.

A photo would help...

JT

 

[Finnie]

I too am curious about what a "lid thingy with a perch on it" could be at Petsmart.

Your thread title intrigued me because I am doing a clean out and remodel of my coop this weekend.

 

[aart]

I too am curious about what a "lid thingy with a perch on it"

Have seen them:
https://www.eggcartonstore.com/Chicken-Tractor-Nest-Box-p/tecs-ns-fs3.htm

I also think 5 gal buckets are too small for optimal chicken comfort,
but some folks(well, their birds) use and like them.<shrugs>
It's an easy solution for folks who don't like to design and/or build stuff.