Garage Coop !

[ChickiKat]

can you put a run out side that they can get to through the window?? they you could keep them on a shelf with nest boxes and roosts inside at night and let them range around outside in a pen during the day.... they you could reclaim some of the floor under them on the inside....

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

Careful with the walls if they are dry wall, chickens do love to peck. Covering them with shower board (plastic laminate) will protect from flying poo and pecking. The dust, no stopping it from covering your cars and other stored items completely.

 

[City Chicken Lady]

Quote:
I'm so glad all you experienced folks are posting. I learn something every day!

 

[Cwittofur]

wow explosion of replies! I'm excited haha.

No we own the house/garage. It's a 2 car garage and I keep the windows open in it as well as the doors whenever I can. I can't place a run outside due to me being an "outlaw" so I have to build a separate coop out back close to the highway to hide it from my neighbours. This is just temporary

They were originally in a 4'x4'x3' box in the garage, the dust did get built up but only in some spots. I've been contemplating putting some sand down over the concrete which they can use for Grit but I haven't decided on it yet. I will also be buying some food grade DE this weekend (work hours + DE Store hours don't mesh

)

I have some Pine Tree stumps, I wonder if they'd like those to play with. Our pine tree was decapitated in a wind storm so it's been sitting outside for a year now.

Thanks again for the feedback! You all rock!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

They will love the stumps to play on. Building the lip at floor level and giving them good ground cover will also keep them entertained. Add roosts high up and in different spots to give them more to do. Even hanging treats from the ceiling (lettuce heads ect) is another good option.

 

[Cwittofur]

Quote:
Thanks! I'll grab a couple stumps and place them around. They'll be screaming for a while (they don't like new things) This weekend I'll build something else for them to play on a lower level roost.

I have 4 2x4 braces going from the frame to the wall I can build off those

 

[LoneFarmer]

As everyone said, you are bound to have dust problems.

I wonder if you can fit a window fan or two to help with dust control? You can put the fans on a timer
to come one a few hours a day or just run it continuously.

 

[Cwittofur]

Quote:
The fan is possible but with winter coming it isn't probable

 

[boogiedog]

Ditto on a fan - blowing outward. I made the noob mistake of brooding my first chickens in my home office. Honestly, the pyroclastic flow from Mt St Helens had nothing on me - I had a good 1/4 inch (not exaggerating) of dust on EVERY non-vertical surface. How my computer survived is a scientific mystery. It was amazing, in a overwhelming sort of a way