First flock for us, sick! should we return them?

[tha5150]

Seen in the picture below, this is pretty open. I have since put a door on the main opening which I shut at night for the wind but obviously the entire bottoms open. There are 1/8 gaps randomly in the walls from the wood or being cut perfectly. Should I thinks out redoing this stuff? It may get to 35 at night here in Florida though only for a few weeks. But still, if even for a night they will still get cold. If I need to do anything please let me know. At the same time, I don't want to enclose this fully due to the temps around here in the summer getting mid 90's on avaeage.

 

[tha5150]

In addition, it rained this morning and they got all wet. If the door was closed and they still got wet, I have some buttoning up to do asap. Again, I purposely left gaps in different places for cross breeze. Maybe I should seal up all the small holes with putty or something and put a couple windows in there? I am still concerned with the entire bottom being open during the winter though in summer this will be great

 

[jlashaw]

You aren't wiorried about predators? it gets very hot in eastern Washington as well. Average temps in summer are between 90-105 I have a fully enclosed coop with proper ventilation and a run that's open. if it gets that cold down there, you need to close that up. They are used to the hot temps and then they'll be hit with cold temps with no time to acclimate, as far as the gaps, you can use foam insulation. After it dries, cut off the excess. Or line it with some cardboard. It's a cool coop though. I think you are doing a great job. There's a lot more to keeping chickens than collecting their eggs. Do you have an area for them to do dust their feathers in?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would make it so you can close up the coop enough to block drafts, too much could blow up from the bottom, ventilation is usually up at the top, you could make it so you could remove the bottom or a side for summer. So happy to hear how well they are doing, sometimes chickens get sick but can recover without any lasting effects, they will have a stronger immune system for it.

 

[tha5150]

As far as predators, the whole thing has chicken wire and goes down a foot into the ground. No holes anywhere for things to get in. Though I am sure something could make its way through with enough effort.

I may figure a way to close the bottom up as suggested. I am looking into cheap, small windows to put in for the sides which I think would help when needed for draft. Great idea for the foam insulation for the gaps. Or plywood even.

I know I am not done and constantly seeing things I need to change. For now I will concentrate on the draft and closing it up.

 

[jlashaw]

As far as predators, the whole thing has chicken wire and goes down a foot into the ground. No holes anywhere for things to get in. Though I am sure something could make its way through with enough effort.

I may figure a way to close the bottom up as suggested. I am looking into cheap, small windows to put in for the sides which I think would help when needed for draft. Great idea for the foam insulation for the gaps. Or plywood even.

I know I am not done and constantly seeing things I need to change. For now I will concentrate on the draft and closing it up.

My new coop was built a few months ago. I'm still changing things and finding areas I don't like. It's all a learning experience for sure. I used a big drill bit at the top of the coop to drill vent holes. It stays pretty warm in there even with them open in the winter. I have a lot of chickens so I have the need for ventilation. You don't want the drafts to blow on the chickens, the higher, the better.

 

[tha5150]

Thanks!

 

[Scarlit]

Any animal could easily rip through chicken wire. It's like tissue paper to them. Racoons can also reach their hands through the wire. I recommend surrounding the coop in netting mesh.
I lost my first chicken to a racoon reaching through the wire and tearing her head off. After her, on top of the chicken wire, I put two layers of netting mesh all around the coop and I haven't had anymore problems.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Chicken wire eventually rusts and falls apart, hardware cloth is the best thing to use.

 

[tha5150]

Ok thanks. When this rusts or I need to replace I will do so with that. It was an option initially and I just went with this.