First self built coop!

[Melly-Mae]

Must be the angle of the photos. A decline of one foot over four feet is the equivalent of 3" over every 12". A 3:12 slope is usually the minimum recommended slope. If it is a 3:12, it is probably sufficient.

Not even gonna lie, I got lucky on that one! Thank you! Lol

 

[3KillerBs]

I will be "facing" the door with a solid sheet of wood once the temp starts dropping and sealing all gaps where cold winds can leak in when winters at it's worst.

Draft-free doesn't mean sealing all gaps, it just means no wind strong enough to ruffle the chickens feathers when they're sitting on their roosts.

I'm concerned about your ventilation. You need 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation per adult, standard-sized hen -- best located above the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

If you close the windows and cover the door to keep winter storms out, do you still have that much ventilation up top?

I do not have latches on them yet, but they are on my list of 'MUST HAVES".

Tip, the ones I bought from Lowes and used on the coop doors are not good. The shank isn't solid so the carabiners catch when I'm trying to open the door. (Of course what I can barely get open a raccoon probably can't open -- but it's irritating).

These ones from Amazon look like overkill, but they cost less, operate smoothly, and take any size carabiner.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084TSCF4...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

 

[Melly-Mae]

Draft-free doesn't mean sealing all gaps, it just means no wind strong enough to ruffle the chickens feathers when they're sitting on their roosts.

I'm concerned about your ventilation. You need 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation per adult, standard-sized hen -- best located above the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

If you close the windows and cover the door to keep winter storms out, do you still have that much ventilation up top?



Tip, the ones I bought from Lowes and used on the coop doors are not good. The shank isn't solid so the carabiners catch when I'm trying to open the door. (Of course what I can barely get open a raccoon probably can't open -- but it's irritating).

View attachment 2851943

These ones from Amazon look like overkill, but they cost less, operate smoothly, and take any size carabiner.

View attachment 2851944

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084TSCF4...jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Your coop looks beautiful! I had planned on opening the shutters when it wasn't snowing or raining and the temps were pleasant. That would allow for them to have a good flow of fresh air.

 

[3KillerBs]

Your coop looks beautiful! I had planned on opening the shutters when it wasn't snowing or raining and the temps were pleasant. That would allow for them to have a good flow of fresh air.

Anything that you ever close is supplemental ventilation.

They still need 1 square foot of ventilation per bird when it's snowing, when it's raining, and when temperatures plummet.

Here's a great article on cold-weather chicken-keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[Melly-Mae]

Anything that you ever close is supplemental ventilation.

They still need 1 square foot of ventilation per bird when it's snowing, when it's raining, and when temperatures plummet.

Here's a great article on cold-weather chicken-keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

Thank you! Anything to make my girls happy!!!

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

When I have moved birds into the coop, I shut them in there for several days to a week. Then they get the idea that's home.

You did a great job! It looks nice. What color are you going to paint it?

I did the same thing. Worked like a dream.

 

[Melly-Mae]

I did the same thing. Worked like a dream.

It did! I finally just locked them in and said deal with it! Lol