coop design

[chad s]

Ok so after reading some other post's I'm going to change my in the floor door design to in the wall. My coop is about 24" off the ground with the underside of the coop being part of the run. My question is, can I just leave the door to the run open all the time? The run will be covered and secure. I plan on letting them free range durring the day. Will they return to the coop in the evening? I also plan to use one of the wall cavities for a built in feeder to save floor space. Will it be ok to have the feeeder and water in the coop? Sorry for the odd questions but we are new to chickens. Thanks

 

[justbugged]

My coop is about 24" off the ground and the girls seem to love spending time under there. I must admit that I leave the door open all the time. I really don't have a door on it anyway. I have a fully enclosed run, and so far have not had any problems with it. I am located in a sub-division neighborhood, so I seem to have a fairly secure coop and run. Others will tell you that you must close the door at night and open it very early in the mornings. I would do that if I was into mornings.

Yes they will return to the coop at night. I would make sure that they had between 3 days and a week in the coop and run before I let them free range. That way they will establish that the coop is their home.

Your feed set up sounds fine. I am not sure exactly how that part will work, but the point is to make it work for you. I use a auto waterer for my birds. I am paranoid about the bird not having water. It is hooked up to garden hose. I only have to worry about the water when things freeze up.

Feel free to ask questions that is what we are here for.

 

[chad s]

Thanks. We live in the country. Neighbors are about 1/4 mile away and have not had predator problems with their chickens that I know off. They are actually the ones who got us into it by giving us fresh free range eggs. I like the idea of an auto water. Does you'res provide water both in the coop and outside? Do you have any pics or instructions for you're set up? Do you just leave the water on all the time or is there a "reservoir" type set up that you keep full? How do you deal with watering in the winter? Thanks again.