Help with installing a window and vents on my coop!

[TheYLWFlock]

Ah, that makes sense, thank you. We will just stick to the apron then. Hey, it uses less hardware cloth, so that’s even better!

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Update: Did the whole run yesterday and moved the coop and run into place. Today we’re going to do the ventilation, window and putting more dirt into the run! The chicks should be out by tomorrow!

 

[lilmillefleur]

It looks great!

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Thanks! It’s been a great learning experience but we’ve done it (almost)!!!!

 

[aart]

Do you get a lot of snow there?

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Do you get a lot of snow there?

Depends on the winter but generally yes a good amount. We did install a roof cover on it today and we got the ventilation in too! The chicks are happily living outside. I’ll post pictures tomorrow as it is too dark here right now for a good quality one, lol!

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Update: Got everything done yesterday and the chicks are happily living outside! Just wondering, the low for tonight is going to be 9 degrees Celsius (49 F). Is this too cold for them? There are 6, and their coop is insulated and has pine shavings in it, with the door closed off. Will they be ok without a heat source in the dark if they huddle together?

Sorry lots of pictures...

 

[Toothpick]

My coop is a 8x10 shed I bought from Lowes. It came with no vents, no windows. I put 7 vents in it similar to the photos you posted. The walls are basically plywood so I just cut a hole the size I needed and screwed the vents right to the wall. No caulk, no nothing. Easy peasy.

Windows...that’s another matter. My plan is to basically do the same. Cut a hole to fit, frame it in, and screw it up. Probably will need caulk though. When making upgrades or building a coop keep it simple. Air, dry ground, food, water....chickens don’t need much. It’s us humans that overthink our coops and make them more fancy (complicated) than they need to be.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

My coop is a 8x10 shed I bought from Lowes. It came with no vents, no windows. I put 7 vents in it similar to the photos you posted. The walls are basically plywood so I just cut a hole the size I needed and screwed the vents right to the wall. No caulk, no nothing. Easy peasy.

Windows...that’s another matter. My plan is to basically do the same. Cut a hole to fit, frame it in, and screw it up. Probably will need caulk though. When making upgrades or building a coop keep it simple. Air, dry ground, food, water....chickens don’t need much. It’s us humans that overthink our coops and make them more fancy (complicated) than they need to be.

Can’t wait to see it once it’s done!

Just wondering @rosemarythyme I’m putting them in at night then blocking off their door with a piece of plywood so they can’t get out each night. The dream is that eventually they will put themselves to bed and get out when they want in the morning and we’re trying to get them to learn that the coop is the “sleepy time place”. How much longer should we keep doing this before we can trust that they will go in and stay in? Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

When you first put the chicks in the coop, did they stay locked up in there for any period at all? I locked up my chicks for a few days (don't remember exactly how long) as they were still little enough that the coop seemed very roomy for them. After I let them out they returned to the coop at night on their own.

If you didn't lock them in at the start (and probably no reason to start doing so now), then you'll need to put them in each night until they understand that that's where they need to go to sleep. If possible would wait until it's just slightly on the dark side of dusk, and then check and see if they've taken themselves inside. If not, herd them in. Repeat until you no longer see chickens sitting around in the run past dusk.