Finnaly did the coop.

[Dakota8472]

Making run taller this week

 

[Dakota8472]

Also going to lift that roof another 6-8 inches in the front for ventilation.

 

[Dakota8472]

They seem happier out there rather than inside. it was a little rushed. I wanna make them some perches in the run when i make it like 6 feet. not sure how high the silkies can get, but my porcelains and brahma are lovely little flyers so far.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Looks like a nice start!

While silkies tend to sleep on the floor not all will. Years ago I had a small group and they roosted with my other breeds

The coop is narrow at around 4'. Still a very usable coop. I would add the ventilation and a couple roosts but not get extreme with adding a second floor. The reason is you will still need to be able to easily move around in there to tend things.

Your roof looks big enough that lifting one side should be doable.

 

[Dakota8472]

Looks like a nice start!

While silkies tend to sleep on the floor not all will. Years ago I had a small group and they roosted with my other breeds

The coop is narrow at around 4'. Still a very usable coop. I would add the ventilation and a couple roosts but not get extreme with adding a second floor. The reason is you will still need to be able to easily move around in there to tend things.

Your roof looks big enough that lifting one side should be doable

I believe so too. It was origninally a gabled roof on that shed I opened it up so id be able to work with it easier lol. So I already have it the inch higher u see in the pic on the front to get some sort of flow atm, Im interested to see if the birds ahve anything to say once i altar it lol. Any chance the silkies might like a mezzanine on the back wall? kinda like a foot wide second story? with a small ramp and then acces to walk off onto some roosts? I feel like being to close to the ground makes me nervous if they are sleeping down in the hay. dont want a fat rat or snake to get them. I plan to go nesting boxes on the back right side of the structure.

Insulation will be middle of the year project. and they will see some interior improvements with drafts etc at that time.

 

[21hens-incharge]

What part of the world are you located in? That will also help gain input for your area.

Here in northern Colorado I do not insulate. We get winter lows down to -16° F. My only frostbite issues have been on leghorns. Even then it was minor.

We tried insulation in my original coop. Mice thought it was a fantastic home.

A shelf off the floor might be enjoyed by them. I wouldn't make it to high since the 4' distance doesn't allow much of a landing zone if/when they go hopping/flying down.
Brahma get quite large. They sound like a bowling ball being dropped when hopping off the roost.
I keep my roosts at 2' high so no one hits to hard when landing.

 

[Dakota8472]

Michigan. lower part of the state about 45 minutes out of detriot. gets cold here I must have been staring at -8C for 1/3 of the winter months.

What part of the world are you located in? That will also help gain input for your area.

Here in northern Colorado I do not insulate. We get winter lows down to -16° F. My only frostbite issues have been on leghorns. Even then it was minor.

We tried insulation in my original coop. Mice thought it was a fantastic home.

A shelf off the floor might be enjoyed by them. I wouldn't make it to high since the 4' distance doesn't allow much of a landing zone if/when they go hopping/flying down.
Brahma get quite large. They sound like a bowling ball being dropped when hopping off the roost.
I keep my roosts at 2' high so no one hits to hard when landing.

 

[Dakota8472]

and i

What part of the world are you located in? That will also help gain input for your area.

Here in northern Colorado I do not insulate. We get winter lows down to -16° F. My only frostbite issues have been on leghorns. Even then it was minor.

We tried insulation in my original coop. Mice thought it was a fantastic home.

A shelf off the floor might be enjoyed by them. I wouldn't make it to high since the 4' distance doesn't allow much of a landing zone if/when they go hopping/flying down.
Brahma get quite large. They sound like a bowling ball being dropped when hopping off the roost.
I keep my roosts at 2' high so no one hits to hard when landing.

love my brahma. I thought her head shape was weird at first but now i think she's the prettiest bird i've ever seen.... (besides the bantam porcelains lol) I actually might try to take the Light Brahma and 1 of my porcelains to some kind of chicken show next year. they tickle me pink.

 

[Dakota8472]

Michigan. lower part of the state about 45 minutes out of detriot. gets cold here I must have been staring at -8C for 1/3 of the winter months.

I also dont use that fuzzy isulation I only ever use panel sheets if i have a choice and pay the bill lol. I hate itching lol.

 

[21hens-incharge]

So -8C is about a 17°F if I did that math right. While cold it's not horribly so.

One thing to consider about insulation and chicken coops is the necessary ventilation. If you have adequate ventilation the coop will be the same temp as the outside whether insulated or not.