Helpful hints for building coops

[jvls1942]

Going out to the workshop shortly to work on a bulb powered heating unit to keep my water from freezing for the chickens. There are a lot of days left before spring.

60 watt and plastic. Do you think that will be a problem?

nope

 

[aart]

60 watt and plastic. Do you think that will be a problem?

Not sure..but I've never used one so would test in shop, see how hot the surface is.
IIRC less wattage is usually used.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Not sure..but I've never used one so would test in shop, see how hot the surface is.
IIRC less wattage is usually used.

I was considering glass instead of metal. But yeah, i am going to test it.

 

[aart]

I was considering glass instead of metal. But yeah, i am going to test it.

I would go with metal, conducts heat better and cuts the light, you don't want to light the coop 24/7. Not sure how big that frame is, but a cookie sheet might work well.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I would go with metal, conducts heat better and cuts the light, you don't want to light the coop 24/7. Not sure how big that frame is, but a cookie sheet might work well.

I already have metal sheeting. But a cookie sheet could work.

 

[aart]

I already have metal sheeting. But a cookie sheet could work.

Try them both, see what feels and fits better.

 

[Briana Lea Bernal]

Rule of twos....
Make it twice as big as you think you need, walk in....
Put in twice the amount of ventilation you think you need.
It will cost twice as much as you planned.
It will take twice as long to build as you thought it would.

If this is your first flock build coop first, then get chicks.
Since you built it bigger build in a in coop brooder/chicken jail.
Dirt floor for DLM

Gary

I love your thoughts ... as am looking to expand my flock and recycle my pig pin area since we are no longer going to raise pigs. There is already a house area for them but I wanted more area for them to move about and roost. I had them free range till we started having issues with stray dogs so now they will be on lock down in an area of nearly an acre for roughly 20-25 chickens plus I will have a small area around our garden to put a handful to clean up there between the spring and fall gardening time. Currently the struggle is water as my chickens are picky and prefer using dog bowls instead of all the fancy water hook up we have for them.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I love your thoughts ... as am looking to expand my flock and recycle my pig pin area since we are no longer going to raise pigs. There is already a house area for them but I wanted more area for them to move about and roost. I had them free range till we started having issues with stray dogs so now they will be on lock down in an area of nearly an acre for roughly 20-25 chickens plus I will have a small area around our garden to put a handful to clean up there between the spring and fall gardening time. Currently the struggle is water as my chickens are picky and prefer using dog bowls instead of all the fancy water hook up we have for them.

Welcome to BYC, feel free to post pictures here of your coop and chickens. Sorry you lost some to dogs. I had a pack visit me for about a year before i found out whose they were.

 

[jvls1942]

I didn't work in the shop much today.
the Packers played at Noon. I watched them.
I should have stayed in the shop..

I used 60W in my heaters..
One thing you have to watch for is the bulb burning out..
they seem to not last long in confined spaces.

If I had to build another one, I would just build an enclosure around the waterer and heat inside the enclosure..

........jiminwisc.......

 

[CapricornFarm]

I didn't work in the shop much today.
the Packers played at Noon. I watched them.
I should have stayed in the shop..

I used 60W in my heaters..
One thing you have to watch for is the bulb burning out..
they seem to not last long in confined spaces.

If I had to build another one, I would just build an enclosure around the waterer and heat inside the enclosure..

........jiminwisc.......

Husband thinks i should use the concrete block method but i heard it doesn't work.