- Aug 27, 2012
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hey everyone- newbie here. I've been reading/learning here for months, but this is my first post!
bit of background first- we have four chicks (two are 3.5 weeks old and two are 1.5 weeks old... we started with three chicks and one died on the third day... decided to get two more chicks since adding two little buddies seemed better than one lone new babe) We have one Barred Rock, one Australorp and two Easter Eggers.
I bought a coop kit off of ebay, and once it arrived it was clear it would be snug for three chickens- not at all suitable for four.
So we've decided to convert an old pine armoire.
here are a couple pics-
the inside "floor" measures 3ft x 3.5ft which gives them 10.5 sq feet on one level- but I want to use both levels to get the interior square footage up (we live in MN so we get both crazy cold and crazy hot... want to make sure they have enough inside room to keep out of the elements when necessary.) Thinking I will take out the shelf in the lower area and use that as sort of a "first floor" and have the upper be the "second floor"
my initial questions are...
should I have a ramp from the "second floor" down to the "first floor"? ...so they can use both levels without going outside at all? Or should I just have exterior chicken doors on each? (keep them as separate spaces)
will they get breezes between the folding doors? (we are purchasing this from craigslist, so I don't have it on hand yet...can't tell how snug the doors close...) anything I can do about it if it is breezy through there?
any other ideas/thoughts you experienced chicken owners/coop builders can share?
thanks all!!
bit of background first- we have four chicks (two are 3.5 weeks old and two are 1.5 weeks old... we started with three chicks and one died on the third day... decided to get two more chicks since adding two little buddies seemed better than one lone new babe) We have one Barred Rock, one Australorp and two Easter Eggers.
I bought a coop kit off of ebay, and once it arrived it was clear it would be snug for three chickens- not at all suitable for four.
So we've decided to convert an old pine armoire.
here are a couple pics-
the inside "floor" measures 3ft x 3.5ft which gives them 10.5 sq feet on one level- but I want to use both levels to get the interior square footage up (we live in MN so we get both crazy cold and crazy hot... want to make sure they have enough inside room to keep out of the elements when necessary.) Thinking I will take out the shelf in the lower area and use that as sort of a "first floor" and have the upper be the "second floor"
my initial questions are...
should I have a ramp from the "second floor" down to the "first floor"? ...so they can use both levels without going outside at all? Or should I just have exterior chicken doors on each? (keep them as separate spaces)
will they get breezes between the folding doors? (we are purchasing this from craigslist, so I don't have it on hand yet...can't tell how snug the doors close...) anything I can do about it if it is breezy through there?
any other ideas/thoughts you experienced chicken owners/coop builders can share?
thanks all!!
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