First day with our new girls -- are we all set? New to this...

[msjones]

We brought home our 3 buff orpingtons today -- they are soooo cute, and seem happy in the coop. But, I'm wondering if we've done this right, and hope you can fill me in on anything I'm missing or doing wrong.

Here's a link to a picture of our style of coop:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/grd/1338113749.html

We've just put it down on dirt (which they seem to like a lot), and filled the henhouse/nesting boxes with shavings. Is it okay just in the dirt? It seems like some of y'all suggest plywood floors...

Should the water and food dispensers be hung from the ceiling? If so, what is the reason for that?

It has what looks like about 1/2 inch wire -- much stronger than chicken wire. Do we need to bury some more of that around the walls?

For nighttime, do we need to cover the opening at the top of the ramp? The doors lock securely, but I wonder if something could still get in?

Can you tell I'm a worry-wart? We'd all be broken-hearted if the raccoons got them on their first night home.

Thank you in advance for your kind advice!

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

the link doesn't work so I can't help you with the coop but the reason people hang the feeder and waterer is because the chickens kick less into them and they stay cleaner

 

[chookchick]

Same problem (link is no longer valid?). But it is good for you to be concerned about raccoons as Seattle certainly has it's fair share of them. Make sure every door is shut securely, with locks or carribeaners on every latch. Make sure that the coop is strong enough, raccoons are very strong. If the floor is dirt, I would be concerned about them digging underneath, and would at least put a 2' apron of welded wire or hardware cloth around the perimeter. When I put them in a new coop, I also leave the windows to the house open, so hopefully I can hear any ruckus during the night--makes me sleep better...

 

[Toddman07]

You have to copy/paste the link for it to work.