Coop In Progress

[Rivers Edge Homestead]

The coop is in progress now! Brooder setup in the corner so we can move the flock from the tote in the house finally

I wanted a standing height inside for easy cleaning, so we made use of an old concrete slab to design on - hopefully that will help keep things cooler in the summer. And then my hubby lined the entire thing with 1/4 inch hardware cloth to keep rodents and snakes out!

Vents along lower wall will have hinged doors to close as needed and another vent/window will be cut along the back wall near the top to allow heat to escape in summer.

 

[DobieLover]

The coop is in progress now! Brooder setup in the corner so we can move the flock from the tote in the house finally

I wanted a standing height inside for easy cleaning, so we made use of an old concrete slab to design on - hopefully that will help keep things cooler in the summer. And then my hubby lined the entire thing with 1/4 inch hardware cloth to keep rodents and snakes out!

Vents along lower wall will have hinged doors to close as needed and another vent/window will be cut along the back wall near the top to allow heat to escape in summer.

View attachment 3023571View attachment 3023572View attachment 3023573

Did hubby also install a predator apron?
When are the windows going in?
Will you use poop boards?
I would install bottom hinged covers for the ventilation so you can just partially cover the openings as baffles instead of completely closing off your ventilation.
It's coming along nicely. The sooner you get the construction done, the sooner the chicks can move in!

 

[Rivers Edge Homestead]

Did hubby also install a predator apron?
When are the windows going in?
Will you use poop boards?
I would install bottom hinged covers for the ventilation so you can just partially cover the openings as baffles instead of completely closing off your ventilation.
It's coming along nicely. The sooner you get the construction done, the sooner the chicks can move in!

No predator apron because it’s on a cement slab. Once old enough the birds will be let out to free range during the day. We plan to build a few low covered shelters for them to duck under to evade hawks and get out of the rain. As for the windows on that lower wall they will pretty much only be closed in the winter if it’s too cold, otherwise those will stay open. Since they’re high up under the roof overhang we shouldn’t have any rain come in those ones. The window we plan to cut on the back wall will be away from our prevailing wind direction so we should get a nice cross breeze when that is open. Still figuring the roost design. I kind of like the hammock idea under the bars. Hubby has a trick using mineral spirits and silicone caulk to waterproof a canvas tarp so that would be so easy to remove and hose off! For nesting boxes I want to have him make a simple wood frame to put either totes or litter boxes in, two rows one above the other. We have about 18 pullets and 2 roos right now but may be getting 3 more hens and a roo from a friend. (Somebody will end up in the freezer so the gals don’t get too much attention.)

 

[Aunt Angus]

I miss my cement slab. We moved. Couldn't exactly take it with us

 

[Rivers Edge Homestead]

I miss my cement slab. We moved. Couldn't exactly take it with us

We were super excited to have one left behind by the previous owners it’s just outside the backyard fence too so the chickens can help keep the tick population down for us.

 

[DobieLover]

if it’s too cold

There is no such thing. You'd only want to baffle if the wind blows so hard that a draft is created at roost height. You don't want to restrict ventilation.
I look at the high openings you have as ventilation, not windows.

 

[3KillerBs]

This is what you're talking about, right?

The one on the right.

That sort of venting may need rain protection but is unlikely to ever need to be closed against cold.

 

[Rivers Edge Homestead]

Yes the one on the right. We were thinking about sliding styrofoam insulation under the roof boards above the hardware cloth.

 

[Rivers Edge Homestead]

Green here shows the area we planned to cover with hinged windows.

 

[Hermits Garden]

Green here shows the area we planned to cover with hinged windows.

If you did framed panes of plexi, hinged at the bottoms to swing in, with maybe a chain to keep them from opening further, you'd still have light, good ventilation, and no rain/snow would blow in.

How far above the roosts are the green squares?