coop tips?? Newbie

[AmyLM]

Hi everyone I'm trying to get my coop ready for my new chickens. They haven't even been shipped yet.. but I'm trying to get ready. I have pics of my set up here:https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...-new-chicks-on-the-way-w-o-feb-13th-pic-heavy

BUT I have more specific questions on how to fix up the coop...

1. I'm planning on using branches from trimming the trees to make roosts outside for the chickens. BUT is there any type of wood that I cant use? Anything that would be dangerous?

2. Do I need to use specific methods for attaching the roosts? or would hanging them with rope, bolting them to wire/tying them be OK?

3. Do I need to put ground cover like grass down in their outside run or take away the existing ground cover?

4. What type of shavings do I use inside the coop?

5. What kind of nesting box material do I use specifically?

6. I ordered 26 chicks, if all make it (and if they send packing peanuts as it will still be cold) then how many nest boxes do I need?

7. How old will the chicks be before they can move out to the coop?

8. Will they safely be able to make it up the narrow little existing ramp to the boxes or should I replace that?

9. When do I start giving them things like grit?

10. Is everyone as excited as I am when they get their first chicks??

 

[buffslat]

I can't answer all your questions, but Q3, leave the grass they will make short work of it for you. Q4, Pine shavings work fine. Q7, by 6 weeks they usually are feathered out enough to move outside. Use your judgement though based on the outside overnight temps. Q10, I'm pretty sure they are.
I'll let some with more experience answer the rest as I'm still kinda new to this myself.

 

[teach1rusl]

1. I'm planning on using branches from trimming the trees to make roosts outside for the chickens. BUT is there any type of wood that I cant use? Anything that would be dangerous? I don't know of any that would present a problem. Cedar shavings are bad, but cedar branches in a run should be fine.

2. Do I need to use specific methods for attaching the roosts? or would hanging them with rope, bolting them to wire/tying them be OK? I would attach them in a way that makes them sturdy, not swinging or moving when birds fly up to or down from them.

3. Do I need to put ground cover like grass down in their outside run or take away the existing ground cover? You can leave what is there for now. If it's bare dirt, or once it gets eaten down to bare dirt, you may want to bring sand in. Sand drains well, is easy to clean, and is cheap if you buy it by the ton from a rock/mulch company.

4. What type of shavings do I use inside the coop? I use aspin shavings or whatever is on sale at Tract.Supply. Sometimes that pine. Some use hay. I've even seen some use sand inside. The only things you don't want is anything moldy or cedar shavings.

5. What kind of nesting box material do I use specifically? Again, wood shavings or hay seem the most common.

6. I ordered 26 chicks, if all make it (and if they send packing peanuts as it will still be cold) then how many nest boxes do I need? Depends on how many end up being female. Most offer a nest box for every 3-4 hens. My 12 hens use all 4 of my nest boxes.

7. How old will the chicks be before they can move out to the coop? They could be in the coop from Day #1 as long as you have a heat lamp available out there. Because of your size order, you might need two lamps set apart. I would certainly partition off an area for them (with boards or cardboard) if you choose to do that though, as some tiny ones would probably get lost in the space. Or you could keep them in large boxes (fridge boxes work well with large orders) out there with lamps hung above the boxes. If you're talking without heat though, probably 5-7 weeks, depending on how quickly they feather out. Most say 5 weeks, but at this time of year and with bantams in your order, I would want to be safe.

8. Will they safely be able to make it up the narrow little existing ramp to the boxes or should I replace that? I'll have to go back and take a look. I think my ramp for my big girls is about 6 inches wide. Your bantams will be good flyers, and will probably be able to fly up to the openings.

9. When do I start giving them things like grit? They will need grit when you begin giving them access to foods (including grass) other than their formulated feed. If there are bits of rock and such in the run, you probably won't need to provide grit as an extra.

10. Is everyone as excited as I am when they get their first chicks?? My guess would be yes.

I was waiting at the Post Office before 6 am (and before the truck arrived) with my first order of chicks...lol. It was fun AND stressful. Good luck!

 

[AmyLM]

Ok thanks for the responses! Tomorrow I will be working on putting up all the roosts and starting to get everything ready. I know I know... still alittle over two weeks to go. but I'm soooooo excited. *fingers crossed*

Question: I ordered 26 different types... it said they would all be available at that time. If they aren't available... do they substitute or ship later when they are? If they substitute will they tell me??

AND another question... yes yes I have a lot of questions: I'm guessing that most will be female BUT I do have a few straight runs coming and the extra which seems tend to be a roo.. so... do the boys get along or do I need to plan on separating them from each other? Is that breed specific like some are more aggressive than other breed roos?

 

[EggyErin]

I use pine shavings for the coop floor and hay in the nest boxes just for something a little different. In a side-by-side comparison, the girls seemed to prefer the hay. On the branches, make sure they are smooth - no bark and no little stick-outs. I have two roosters who were raised together and they've never fought. Each seems to have his own duties. I would guess that yours will be the same.

 

[teach1rusl]

Regarding the roos, as Eggy said, it'll be a coin toss as to whether your cockerels get along or not. Being raised together will help. You'll just have to wait and see. If serious issues come up, then it'll most likely start when they're close to 18 weeks or so, give or take. It will partly depend on how much space they have too. The more space you have the better chance at harmony, because little groups can form. There'll be some chest bumping and other assertive behaviors as chicks (from the females too), but you should have a few months of peace at least...lol.

Did you specify that you would accept substitutes?? If not, then I doubt they will send them. I've only ordered from MPC, and have accepted substitutes. There was nothing in the box that said subs. had been made, but I could tell some of them weren't what I'd originally ordered. I'm sure they could have told me had I called to ask.

 

[Linn Bee]

Something to consider when you make your roost. . . If you attach them to the side walls in a way that they can be removed or raised, you will have an easier time cleaning the coop. Mine are 2x4s that are attached with pegs so I can just lift the roost when I give the coop a thorough cleaning and I'm not working around them. I like the idea of recycling branches, but you do want them solid as teach1rusl suggested.

 

[mtnhens4]

One thing that you need to do is place your roosts higher than your nesting boxes, chickens feel safer up high so if that is your nesting boxes then you will end up with poopy eggs, chickens poop mostly at night so keep your roosts atleast 12 inches higher. Also consider poop boards under your roosts to catch most of their droppings, you'll be amazed at the amount that collects after one night.

I also use a spare bedroom to keep our chicks while they were young and the coop was being built. You will never believe the amount of DUST that chicks create and I only had 4 of the little buggers. My suggestions would be to cover with plastic any bedding or carpet and then plan to wash down the walls and everything else in the room before it is used for people. There is also quite a smell, we used pine shavings and I cleaned their box every few days and more often when they knocked their water over, I even had to blow dry one chick. Last spring I was the newbie and I wish that someone had told me these things before I got my chicks.

Have fun, it's been a great experiance and we love our girls and the eggs they give us.

 

[new2chickens2011]

I know the answer to #10!
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AmyLM]

still trying to get everything ready one piece at a time. I'm really hoping that I can get them out to the barn before too long. They will have to start in the garage. We have to make sure that our dog can get in cause well... as a former street dog from India and as a Indian Pariah dog... hes got pretty strong instincts so we will have to work on training him from day one to know that he cant go anywhere near them.Keeping them behind two sets of doors would probably be best through.