Heat and light source for small coop? And other stuff...

[Wes in Tx]

Llysee

No those quotes came from sites other than the Forshman site. Those size coops are all over Europe. I have personally seen a lot of different setups on that side of the pond while I was in the Air Force and stationed there. Even their housing compared to ours is quite small for the same number of people.

I do love the Oduline. I first used it to make a patio cover for a house I had in Louisian back in the mid 80's.

Actually the 4'x4'3" coop is designed for 12 birds. That would be the model 504. I don't think you could physcially get 25 full size birds in a 4x4 ft space. LOL. I always recommend at the minimum 4 sqft per bird if not freeranged but my point of the post was that different parts of the world treat those recommendations different. Heck I have 10 birds in and 8x8 coop with a 40x20 run and they still pluck feathers out of each other. They are production reds and some of the meanest, to each other, birds I have ever had or worked around in my life. I will never have that breed again after this laying season.

Oh and your harping goes right along with the reason I like the 4+ sqft per bird rule.

Again like I said my point was that other places give much less space.

 

[suburbanchick]

What is the disadvantage of the tin roof? Is it the sound? Does that freak out the chickens?

Like I said, I paid a nice price for the coop and can't imagine redoing it and putting much more money into it, but perhaps I can contact him and see if he will change it for me?

Anyone else use tin with no problems? I just thought it looked kind of cool and was planning to paint it a dark green.

Great conversation... keep it comin!

 

[Llysse]

Oh, I don't think that's a big disadvantage. Lots of people have tin and metal roofs, and as a matter of fact I have one on my barn where the goats are. They don't seem to mind it.

I just know that chickens can be put off their laying by big storms, so I'm hoping that the Ondura will help to muffle the sound, but honestly I don't have any idea as to whether they're put off their laying by the sounds or by the changing barometric pressure or something else entirely. I just happen to like that it's so cheap, durable and easy to put up. Looks like metal (sort of, from a distance) but doesn't rust. And you can just tack it over your existing roofing. And cheap. Did I say cheap? (As far as roofing is concerned...)

 

[ChicksinBoise]

Quote:
Personally I think your coop is fine as long as they are free roaming a lot. I don't think the tin roof is that big of a deal either. Chickens aren't as picky as their owners are that is for sure. Some kind of shelter and room to eat bugs and stuff and they are happy. Not too mention, they usually don't all lay eggs at the same time. The ventilation issue is the only thing I would be concerned about. Maybe ask your builder to cut a window or two and cover with wire and frame.

I love the natural roosts!

Ok, I just realized I was a couple months off on my response...oops!