Feeling sad and defeated

[tyjaco]

We recently finished our pallet coop and moved the girls in. I have been so excited and proud of our new coop - almost to the point of showing off

But the reality is that the coop sucks. The rain has been relentless. When I opened the pop-doors this morning - I could see part of the floor is totally wet. Two areas are soaked. And it's cold in there - I did put in a heat lamp, since 8 of the girls are still young.

I can't even find where the water is coming in from, yet I have to put a stop to it. The youngsters are crowded in a corner - and they don't have much space.

What makes this really sad is that the old "coop" is still here - but now it's loaded up with garden equipment, lawn mowers and yard tractors - too much to move out for them to move back in...

I think at the very least, I will scoop up the wet shavings and put more down, but if it keeps raining like this - it won't be dry long...

 

[Shayna]

I'm sorry. I can imagine how frustrating that must be after you worked so hard at getting it put together. Try stapling plastic over the top of it or something to shield itt from the rain until it dries out and you can try to find the problem. Hopefully someone who knows a lot more about building can chime in with suggestions, but in the mean time, just do what you can and you'll get it figured out later.

 

[HarpuaHound]

Maybe throw a tarp over it till you get a sunny day. As for finding the leak, get some sidewalk chalk and draw lines over and around the places you suspect. When the water leaks in the chalk will wash away in that spot. You might just need to caulk some joints. Thats a $3-5 fix. Best of luck to you. I just built my own coop out of scraps and im recognizing my flaws also.

 

[tyjaco]

Thanks Shayna -
I hope my husband can help me when he gets home, but he'll be tired and he's already helping me so much - I'm having a problem with my hip - and can barely walk
I just feel like crying. Our property is turning into a mud bowl.
I wish I could bring everybody into the house

 

[Shayna]

If he can just cover it with plastic or a tarp to buy some time, the chickens will be fine. In the meantime, if they have a dry side in there, they'll be ok. The heat lamp will help dry it out. You can only do what you're able to, don't stress too much. Chickens are tough! Sometimes the fix to stop the water from coming in is pretty easy, you just have to wait it out until the rain stops.

for dry weather for you soon!

 

[rabidgoose]

Do not worry yet! My husband can build anything, but rain can always find any weaknesses. Three years ago we had to replace the entire back wall of our house due to a hole in the caulking that was about the size of a nickel. That involved jacking up 2 stories of the building and tearing out /rebuilding a section of the subfloor, the supports, flooring, etc. as well as the wall. All because water had ran down inside the walls for 15 years. So maybe it is a good thing that you noticed the water leak right away! Anyways, chickens are tougher than you'd think, and if you can use tarps or plastic to keep them dry I bet they'll be fine.
I finally got so sick of dealing with the rain that I am switching over to ducks and geese! I love my chickens, but this place is on clay and the water makes it miserably muddy.

 

[chickenzoo]

So sorry, it sure gets fustrating when you cant do what you want or it gives you problems. Maybe post some pics and someone might be able to give suggestions.

 

[wilbilt]

About 80 miles east, we are getting plenty of liquid sunshine, too.

My new coop is staying dry inside (after I remembered to patch those "oops" nail holes in the roofing). The chicks are about 4 weeks old and doing OK in there, although not much interested in coming outside today.

Unfortunately, the run area is not draining well and is becoming a lake. At least this rain will help me find the low spots and maybe come up with a drainage strategy that works.

 

[tyjaco]

well...I did it. I swore I would NOT have another coop with a tarp on the roof. But - once again - I do...

It's been a terrible day and to top it off - I just fell down the stairts and maybe sprained my wrist.