Coop Progress

[aart]

I have made a vertical nipple water device that is heated and insulated a bit but it's not near as easy to install as a heated dog bowl.

Horizontal nipples would be a much better bet in the kind of cold they get in NH.


@sals_chicks might want to browse this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[jthornton]

Horizontal nipples would be a much better bet in the kind of cold they get in NH.

I tried horizontal nipples and they froze up.

JT

 

[aart]

I tried horizontal nipples and they froze up.

JT

With a heater in the bucket/vessel?

 

[sals_chicks]

Thank you @aart and @jthornton I will definitely be planning to use a heated waterer of some kind - I haven't thought that far ahead yet.

 

[jthornton]

With a heater in the bucket/vessel?

Yep, the location of the watering device is exposed to wind as it's in the run. The vertical nipple bucket has a second bucket and a piece of 1/2" black foam insulation between the two. This way only the steel rod sticks out and the nipples are inside the lower bucket.

JT

 

[sals_chicks]

Ok, here's the Saturday progress update!

The run posts are set, and the cement is curing! So glad to have that part done!

I'm sure it's overkill, but I did decide to paint the interior with a glossy paint. I only got a coat of that done - it will definitely need 2 coats, possibly 3 - we'll see. Still have to do the floor. We are planning to put down sheet vinyl over it too.

Photo evidence of all the available soffit ventilation, if needed! We are still doing the ridge vents and gable vents too.

tacked the windows in just to make sure they fit and see how it's all coming together. I am so excited!

Thanks for letting me share!

 

[jthornton]

I would extend the roof far enough over the nest box so you can collect eggs when it's raining and not get wet.

JT

 

[Sally PB]

I painted the interior of my coop white, 3 coats. No regrets on that, for sure. It brightens it up in the winter.

 

[aart]

I did decide to paint

Isn't it kind of chilly to paint?
Hop it cures properly.

I would extend the roof far enough over the nest box so you can collect eggs when it's raining and not get wet.

JT

Yes!
...and make the egg collecting door in the side rather than the top.

 

[sals_chicks]

Nothing is perfect so we will make it work.

I’ll check to feel of the paint feels tacky tomorrow. It was over 50 here today and it’s sooooo dry the paint was practically fully dry as I painted. I’m not worried about it. I paint a lot and I have more trouble with humidity than I do cold! The rest (trim and clapboard) is being painted in my garage so it should be fine!