Did i just waste my time?

[SalyD]

I was really excited. I got a bunch of material to make the coops for my chicken and quail chicks. (they are indoors until they have all their feathers).

I was excited because i got all the material free. i made the chicken coop out of an old crib & the quail coop out of an old dresser.

we are in canada and the weather can get extreme. So i am litterally at the last couple of phases - The walls and weather proofing. The guy at the hardware store that I can use wood boards but not without siding - meaning the final stage will cost approx 150$. A new coop is 250$.

Need advice and opinions on what to do. I do NOT want to spend that much, especially when i factor in how much more time I am going to have to spend.

TIA

 

[CSAchook]

@BantyChooks do you have any advice on weather proofing for the vast frozen north?

 

[SalyD]

@BantyChooks do you have any advice on weather proofing for the vast frozen north?

LOL the vast north, LOVE IT lol.

I thought I could either find some sort of vinyl panels (not just siding) or use paint tbh. Paint lasts about a year, and i can always repaint the year after. That would bring me to around 60-70$.

 

[CSAchook]

LOL the vast north, LOVE IT lol.

I thought I could either find some sort of vinyl panels (not just siding) or use paint tbh. Paint lasts about a year, and i can always repaint the year after. That would bring me to around 60-70$.

Well, I live in a desert so I guess that is how I picture Canada, lol. Sorry no one has responded to your post with actual advice though. Let me try to tag a few more northerners to see if we can get you some help.


@Wickedchicken6 @Alaskan @duluthralphie if any of you could speak to us about weatherproofing a coop for intense winters that would be splendid.

I’ll tag @aart too since she is a coop maestra.

 

[DobieLover]

I was really excited. I got a bunch of material to make the coops for my chicken and quail chicks. (they are indoors until they have all their feathers).

I was excited because i got all the material free. i made the chicken coop out of an old crib & the quail coop out of an old dresser.

we are in canada and the weather can get extreme. So i am litterally at the last couple of phases - The walls and weather proofing. The guy at the hardware store that I can use wood boards but not without siding - meaning the final stage will cost approx 150$. A new coop is 250$.

Need advice and opinions on what to do. I do NOT want to spend that much, especially when i factor in how much more time I am going to have to spend.

TIA

Can you post pictures of the coops in question?
TBH, predator proof, weather proof structures are never cheap. To give you an idea, a new coop that is $250 is good for bunnies or kindling wood.

 

[Alaskan]

I was really excited. I got a bunch of material to make the coops for my chicken and quail chicks. (they are indoors until they have all their feathers).

I was excited because i got all the material free. i made the chicken coop out of an old crib & the quail coop out of an old dresser.

we are in canada and the weather can get extreme. So i am litterally at the last couple of phases - The walls and weather proofing. The guy at the hardware store that I can use wood boards but not without siding - meaning the final stage will cost approx 150$. A new coop is 250$.

Need advice and opinions on what to do. I do NOT want to spend that much, especially when i factor in how much more time I am going to have to spend.

TIA

Well....

First, I am a bit worried about how much space you have.

How many chickens do you have? A crib isn't very big... unless you mean a corn crib.

Ditto on the quail.

If it is getting and staying at cold temps, especially with wind, the chickens will not be coming outside....unless you have a roofed and partially walled run....

You need lots of space per chicken, or they will eat each other.

Also, a great big space means that you can have lots of ventilation, but not have a breeze over the perches.

I am not sure why you are considering vinyl siding or paint as insulation?? But maybe I am misunderstanding??

Vinyl siding would help cover gaps, so help reduce drafts, I am not sure if it adds much if any insulation.

Paint is just pretty, and will keep the wood from rotting. Again, it will not insulate.

With quail, I have found them much less cold hardy than chickens. I would think they would be better set up in a garage(with zero car exhaust of course) or other large slightly warm and draft free building.

I have built free and mostly free coops. However, it requires lots of time, and quality scrounging, especially where the wire is concerned. Often you just have to give up and buy quality wire.

But size.... bigger is better, especially where it gets cold. And just how cold does it get where you are?

Also, how much snow do you get? A tiny coop is likely to get completely buried in snow.