Coop Reconstruction All suggestions and help welcome (IMAGE HEAVY)

[Time-Out]

We're doing something similar with old run-down stables. Here's my post: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=603014

We only discovered the roof was leaky when we were there in a downpour. The trouble is getting the while it's NOT raining to fix it!

I don't see a problem putting sand under the bedding. In fact, I think that would be a great idea. Chickens will dig through bedding, so it's probably better that they get to the sand than the old dirt.
How long has it stood empty?

To 'sanitise' our stables, we coated all the wood in creocote. Hopefully, that should give the wood a new lease of life, with the oils, and kill any nasties that might be lurking.

How big is the building? That's an awful lot of nestboxes. From the looks of things, you could sell the two biggest sets and just keep one for now, selling it at a later date if you decide to. What breed are you thinking of keeping? If they're not too large, you might find those are an ideal size!

 

[Ole rooster]

On the creosote goes, it will give life to wood but it will also give nasty burn you won't care to deal with if brushed up against. I wouldn't want it on any animal. That is some pretty nasty stuff. But it does do what it's supposed to do.

 

[Time-Out]

Creosote is no longer 'allowed' in the UK. It's been replaced by another product called creocote. Not too sure about the difference...

I'm not pro-creosote, but when you have an old building that's hiding who-knows-what in the molds and mildews, I think it's a better bet than having to treat your chickens for various respiratory diseases at a later date. For my coop at home, I used wood preservative. The wood was new, so I knew what was going on.
As for insects, mites can live a long time without chickens. I can't imagine other mite-killing products offer a less painful death to mites...

 

[hemet dennis]

Quote:
I thought all dirt was old, where do you go to get new dirt ? Chickens have been raised on dirt for a million years, they like dirt they even bath in it. let them have dirt

 

[turtlebird]

I have not yet read through all the posts, perhaps a previous poster noted this,but the only thing that comes to mind is to *WEAR A MASK DURING DEMOLITION* Not just a cheapy, a good mask that filters fine particulates. Bats and bat droppings always come to mind when I think of old un-used buildings. Also molds, from water damage. Protect your lungs, your future body will thank you

 

[Time-Out]

Quote:
Silly billy! Dirt that is outside gets 'freshened up' by nature. Leaves this year, dirt the next!
Dirt that is locked inside a building that has goodness knows how many years of chicken poo - and goodness only knows if the previous owner kept their flock parasite/disease free - to me is mank. You know chickens can catch mycoplasma from rats, right? Where's the harm in putting a fresh layer over the top? I bet you change the litter in your coop. Same thing.

 

[walbarbsa]

You are going to feel so accomplished when you share both the progress and finished coop with all of us. About the nesting boxes, I just bought a ten-nester for $40 and that was cheap! Look on Craigs List and you'll see that they're going for well over a $100. All you need do, is add a roosting bar or two and power wash them....

 

[Sweetened]

UPDATE

After my battle with the plague, I finally got a day to work outside and I've quickly started to realize how out of shape I am (as though I didn't already know). To those of you who make a living digging with your hands, let me be the first to say: Kudos. Hard work! Hard work that looks like I haven't done much work!

I've removed the first of three nesting boxes and I've managed to dig a 5x6 foot area up to flip it and make it easy to remove after I've gotten everything tilled through. There's a pounded dirt floor underneath about 1.5 feet of dirt and straw. I've found other things within the straw: glass, metal, cat feces, a mummified kitten, etc. but most of the garbage is gone. From the bottom of where I've dug to to the top of the wood divider on the left is about 3ft.

Mystery solved! I removed the metal pipe after whacking my head on the wood...thing up top. I expected the wood to drop and fall out of the wall, however it dropped down to form a perch! It's made of square wood, however, is this a problem? Compost anyone? This is going to be wonderful in my garden this year and I hope to put some into planters to expand my growing space for the year. Judging by the newspapers I've found, the coop turned into a junk pile in 1989-1990, so I figure everything is well composted.

I'm not much of an artist or that talented with photoshop, but this is a bit of what I'm going for with fencing and outdoor colour. The fencing would go around where the truck is currently sitting and wrap around the other side Some edible shrubs, blue tin roof, exit doors, white exterior.... We'll see how I do.

I'm losing faith that I'll have chickens in spring. This is a lot of work that I'm doing myself, as DH has better things to do. Though I'm doing all this on a strict budget, I'm not interested in cutting corners and potentially compromsing the health of my birds. I want to get it right the first time, so there may not be birds this year at all.



I just wanted everyone to know that even if I don't respond to your posts, I have read them all and I'm super appreciative of your help, comments and suggestions!

 

[tuckertori]

I love that you are really thinking about making sure there is no mould in the walls, wood, dirt, insulations....etc.
1. One of the first things I noticed was lack of ventilation in the way of windows and/or high wall/ceiling vents. A number of people on BYC have reused old windows and put hardward cloth over the opening for security from predators. They open in the summer and close in the winter.
2. My sister just made a large coop and included water and electricity in it because it is far from the house and sources. Good idea, kind of pricey. I like the idea of catching rain water for use in the coop.
3. I'd plan some kind of easy way to clean under the roosts! That is where I need to clean daily and with that many chickens, I wouldn't want to be bending to do it. If you can design a pullout tray or have an opening you can scoop off.
4. My sister also has a small storage room for food, bedding, tools, etc. built into her coop so it is all right there.
Keep sending photos!

 

[This_chicks_place]

I am so jealous! I would not get rid of the nest boxes or that AWESOME roost! Just make sure you give them a thorough cleaning with some bleach and they should work great! Why spend money on something new when you already have it? And square is wood is good, they can sit better on their feet to keep their toes warm.