First flock, Doghouse converted to Coop

[phairest]

Hi all!

Just got my little urban flock started (thanks mstrawn3 for great chicks!) and fixed up a coop for them. I'm not a great carpenter so I wanted something I could modify rather than build from scratch, and I like to re-use where possible, so I kept my eye on craigslist for awhile and snagged a dog house for $40, used but in great condition, it's about 2 x 3 ft. Then I went to Home Depot and got $10 of hardware cloth, $10 worth of hinges, and a $3 bag of pea pebbles; everything else used was stuff I had around. Basically I just removed the screws that held the roof on so it would be removable, and I cut some of the top boards off and put the wire over the openings, made a locking door and put things chicks like inside.

The nuggets seem to like it and I'm happy they're happy; let me know what you think! (Am I doing this right?!) Will post more details tomorrow when they're out so I can get better pics

 

[jma6004]

Looks perfect. That's a great idea and great work. My ONLY concern in these pictures is that your heat lamp may be a little low as the birds appear to be huddled away in a corner but it is hard to see in the pictures. I am also a little overboard about heat lamps since I have recently lost a few chicks that I am suspicious is due to too much heat. Also, what are you using for beeding? Just remember it will have to be changed at times so something easy to compost, burn, or throw away is best.

 

[phairest]

Thanks for the feedback!

FYI that's a household 100-watt bulb in the lamp, not a 'real' 200-odd watt heat lamp, so it's not so hot. Also, the coop is big enough that the nuggets could have gotten much farther away from it if they'd wanted. As for bedding, I hear ya, but I got very nervous about a hot lamp so close to pine shavings aka kindling, and I'm trying to cut waste where possible. So, I opted for pea pebbles while the birds need a heat lamp so I can sleep without worry. If I can figure out a way to clean the pebbles for re-use that isn't a total PITA I may stick with them. If not, I'll switch to shavings or something when they don't need a lamp anymore.

Also, random dumb questions- how well can chickens smell, and does it bother them to have a light on all night?

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Take the light out as white light wilk keep them up all night. If the chicks are young enough to need heat put them in a brooder, but fully feathered chickens do not need heat lamps

 

[phairest]

OIC, the white light did seem like it kept them up. Took out the white light and put in a black light for tucking-in time (it's less than half as bright), then turned it all off and they knocked out pronto, yay and thanks! Been checking to make sure they don't look too cold, so far so good. Guess I'll be switching out those pea pebbles sooner than I thought.

Now a question about the floor of the thing- the doghouse came with a floor that's made from the same kind of wood as the rest of the house; fir I think, see pic above. Whatever it is, it's a bit porous. I see that some people put something non-porous down like linoleum, but then I see others that don't; what's the deal there? Do some people do that just to make cleaning out easier and keep poop from staining the floor, or is there anything else to consider there?

 

[njdevil]

Something non-pourous will make clean up easier. It will also make it less likely to attract unwanted mold or whatnot should it somehow get wet and/or over time from urine and poop. I have a converted doghouse, which is a about 3' x 3' floor area, and made a tray for my floor which comes in very handy for regular cleaning. The one side of the house hinges open and I pull it, dump it, and reset. Kind of what you would see in a travel kennel.