First-Timer

[jennybvcr]

A few updates!

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The Littlest is catching up a bit in size, hooray! I think the liquid B has helped.



My dad and I worked on converting our existing shed into the duck coop. We removed the old doors and replaced them with a sort of Dutch door with the bottom half acting as a barrier to keep the babies from rushing out the door which lowers down into a ramp to get in and out.

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Next project is repairing the roof and adding hardware cloth to one side for ventilation/air flow.

That is a very cool coop!!! And Littlest is looking great!

 

[Miss Lydia]

see where the light is coming in on the sides a mink or weasel rat etc can get through there they can get through 1" opening.

 

[Sarkchick]

Great catch. I did not even notice between the corrugated metal and back wall.

 

[littlecollier]

Don’t worry, it’s not quite done yet! I’m trying to get them used to spending little bits of time in it while I finish things up.

I’m hoping to wrap the interior behind the metal siding in 1/4x1/4 hardware cloth as well as a skirt and concrete paver base. I’m still trying to figure out the best way to bend the cloth (or something else!) to make it work around the curve of the shed (we inherited the structure with the house when we bought it, so it’s not what would have designed but ... Free!)

Luckily where we live it’s mostly neighborhood cats we have to worry about, but I’m doing my best to predator-proof as much as possible.

I may post some photos of the corners and sides to see if anyone has suggestions since I’m not the handiest of people!!

Thank you all for your kind words and great insight.

 

[littlecollier]

So I’m starting to think I might just wrap the whole interior in hardware cloth and bend it at the corner, with a washer and screw on either side (into the 2x4 beam and also the plywood back - if that makes sense?).

The last photo is just a random piece of 1/2x1/2 that I had in a small piece to show what I’m thinking.

I have 100’ of 3’ wide 1/4x1/4 which I think would be plenty. By my calculations it would take about 40’ of the cloth to wrap the interior.

I’m also starting to think I should double up on waterproofing the roof, perhaps an interior tarp with the metal on top as planned. We had a huge thunderstorm yesterday and while the roof is very damaged right now, the amount of water inside was a lot more
than I anticipated.

Speaking of water, the floor is currently plywood which seems a bit water damaged as it is. Would it be best to put down something like linoleum or commercial mats or would a tarp under their bedding be enough to keep the wood from taking on moisture?

I feel like I’m totally flying blind even though I’ve read and read and read and read ... I guess it’s like anything else, you can prepare but nothing quite compares to getting in there and doing it!

 

[Lil Drake40]

Cheap vinyl is what is on my floors. Then deep bedding the wood under is protected I like your idea with the hardware wire a lot of work but so worth it when your babies are protected .

 

[Sarkchick]

I agree with Lil Drake40. That's a lot of hardware cloth.
The linoleum or vinyl flooring needs to come up the sides several inches to hold the bedding.
They make a roll on or brush on sealant for the metal roofing. Might be easier to coat the metal instead of trying to make a tarp stay underneath the metal. Either way would work.
It's going to be nice when done

 

[littlecollier]

Thanks for your input @Sarkchick and @Lil Drake40! So helpful!

Littles are still in the brooder today since I haven’t gotten things secured in the coop ...

Look at these cuties staring back at me (on the nanny/ducko-cam).

Just couldn’t help myself!

 

[Sarkchick]

Love it, simply love it. They really are squished under the heater aren't they.
I like the square pool. All we have around here are round ones. So boring.

 

[Lil Drake40]

They sure are adorable. Love their set up