Coop Help!

[snyder11]

I have built 3 giant fenced in runs. I will be rotating my run every year. This will help because the 2 not being used will be gardens during the times they are not being used. I really need some help with the coop. I am using a coop i bought online with a few ajustments
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This is the coop i bought i am currently taking the wire off and putting plywood to make my coop even bigger. I will add some roosing bars on the bottom and top level. It does get cold here in the winter so i am not sure if this is going to be good enough. Do you need lights in the coop and heat lamps? What other things should I be doing to improve this.

 

[ScottM]

If you board up the existing run, make sure you still have adequate ventilation.


I would ensure there are no drafts, is that a real window? Are there gaps between the slated siding?

How cold does it get for you? I choose to turn the 40 watt bulb on at -30F, otherwise they are fine at -25

Scott

 

[TwoCrows]

Nice coop! Unless it is -40 degrees on a night in the winter, there is no need for any heat. The chickens will adjust to the temps as the winter progresses. If you add heat, at least on a regular basis, they will never be able to go outside all winter. So skip the heat idea unless it is -40 or more.

Chickens hate snow. So when during the winter, they will want a place to get outside but off the snow. My chickens come barreling out of the coop, run as fast as they can over the snow and head into the greenhouse. They have spent weeks on end waiting for winter to end, but at least they were able to get out of their coop. So if you can provide a place to get off the snow, and out of the wind, they may not use the coop much during the daylight hours of winter. I don't have any lights in my coop either. They only go inside the coop for laying eggs and sleeping.

Sounds like you are getting the hang of it. Enjoy that nice coop!

 

[snyder11]

Thanks for the advice. The coop I have now is going to be a temp thing for the summer. A friend of mine is giving me his shed.(Brand New and huge) That I will be turning into a coop. It was free and is insulated and perfect. Will need to add ventilation and nesting boxes, roosting bar, and storage area but you cant be free.