FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[flocking nuts]

I think the draft that people refer to as a problem is the winter cold draft. Not a problem in Florida. I have a raised coop with a wire bottom and then the top foot or so is open but covered with 2x4 welded wire.  I usually put frozen water jugs out on hot days but forgot to freeze some a couple weeks ago. Felt so bad I took a fan from the house and set it on the ground to blow across the run. Silly girls lined up in front of it and enjoyed the breeze. Tarps always collect water and collapse on me so I took sheets of cotton fabric, added grommets and pulled it across the top of the run, makes a huge difference by adding additional shade

Ha! I know that's a sight. Our flock comes to hang out in the carport,to watch us work on the coop and sit in the fan.

I thought wire was "bad" for the bottom of the coop

 

[Shawneegyrl]

Ha! I know that's a sight. Our flock comes to hang out in the carport,to watch us work on the coop and sit in the fan.

I thought wire was "bad" for the bottom of the coop

In this Florida heat especially a lot of people use wire bottoms. It helps with airflow all year and it seldom gets all that cold to even cause the girls to huddle. I use 1/2 x 1 inch wire and most of the poo falls through and I can use a shovel and scrape it out when needed. It is seldom needed since the girls go under the coop for shade and to dust bathe so they keep it tilled up. My feeder is hanging in the coop and when the chickens throw out the food it just falls below and some one is always there to scratch and peck so less food is wasted.

I did this about 4 years ago and I have not found anything I do not like about it. Plan to add 2 more smaller versions soon, as it has worked well for me.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
I use 1 x 2 wire in the bottom of my coops under the roosts. I rake the poop out and put it in the compost pile. There is sand and shavings on the floor which also makes it easier to clean. Some of my coops have floors too and some don't have floors and in one the floor is entirely wire. I have had no problems.

 

[Shawneegyrl]

I use 1 x 2 wire in the bottom of my coops under the roosts. I rake the poop out and put it in the compost pile. There is sand and shavings on the floor which also makes it easier to clean. Some of my coops have floors too and some don't have floors and in one the floor is entirely wire. I have had no problems.

Yes, 1 x 2 wire would be better for LF. I have bantams.

 

[cmom]

My rain gauge stopped working so I don't know how much rain we have had but it has been raining steady yesterday and today so far. I put a can out on my patio to kind of get a guesstimate of how much rain we are getting. It is supposed to rain for 2 to 3 more days. Even though the pens are sand they are muddy. I'll be busy coop cleaning after this rain event. They drag so much of the wet sand into the coops on their feet.

 

[Shawneegyrl]

My rain gauge stopped working so I don't know how much rain we have had but it has been raining steady yesterday and today so far. I put a can out on my patio to kind of get a guesstimate of how much rain we are getting. It is supposed to rain for 2 to 3 more days. Even though the pens are sand they are muddy. I'll be busy coop cleaning after this rain event. They drag so much of the wet sand into the coops on their feet.

push that rain a bit to the south and east. Everything is burning up here

 

[cmom]

I discovered I have a leak in one of the coops roof. It is a muddy mess particularly were the leak is. When the rain stops I'll open up everything put some fans in and dry it out good, clean it and repair the roof. I needed this like a hole in the head.

 

[chickrunfun]

I discovered I have a leak in one of the coops roof. It is a muddy mess particularly were the leak is. When the rain stops I'll open up everything put some fans in and dry it out good, clean it and repair the roof. I needed this like a hole in the head.

I already posted the 1st 2 pictures up on "daily or weekly pictures.." but I feel for you on that leak. We got us a whole week of this rainy joy, don't we? *yippie....#@!%*
This here is the road...er uh..river


front porch and car port...soon to be boat dock


Just took these -
Had to open up the rain barrel spigot this morning too. Got it set up where the chicken barn house roof meets with the enclosure roof so the runoff goes into it and it was beyand full and the overflow was going straight into the enclosure. ARGH
Grabbed a downspout attachment I picked up off the side of the road and got it draining a little off to the side now. I dont want my chickens growing gills





Gonna be a day of fun patching this....

 

[cmom]

I'm lucky, I live on top of a hill, one of the highest points in Citrus County (Hilltop Farm). If we flood the whole state will be under water.

 

[chickrunfun]

Well by golly dont flood I can't swim too good!