Icky mucky coop woes

[GldnValleyHens]

It's all about ventilation fixes. I'm betting OP is getting lots of great ideas.

Oh, and leak fixes!

Oh yeah, you bet! Makes me embarrassed I didn’t think of some of em

 

[GldnValleyHens]

It shouldn't take more than a half an hour to flip that vent cover around...maybe less time than to 'seal' it....6 screws out, flip it, 6 screws back in...bam-done!

You need ventilation 24/7, actually more at night when they are all in there breathing and pooping. Does that slider window let in rain.....and blowing snow?

This type of standoff baffle can work very well to block winds while still providing some air flow and light.

@Cryss you could add standoffs to the window below the peak.

It’s on the back of the coop, so elements don’t blow in as often. OK,I’ll just flip it then

 

[aart]

It’s on the back of the coop, so elements don’t blow in as often. OK,I’ll just flip it then

Good!! Now what about the slider?

 

[Peppercorngal]

So I have to change the sand? The article on here said that the lady just scooped out the poop with a muck rake, sort of like a giant kitty litter box. I have straw in my duck coop, yeah it mats down really easily with their flat feet, but their coop is the drier one too, ironically.
If I do go back to bedding, straw vs shavings? Your favorites?

Yes, you probably could just scoop out the poop IF your coop and the sand remained dry. There is nothing worse than a wet coop. It's stinky for you and the ammonia that builds up (quickly) with the moisture is worse for the chickens. First fix all leaks and places that rain gets in. Only then can you deal with the poop in the coop! Try a thick layer of straw. I had a leaky coop one year. We moved it somewhere else and built a regular wooden shed. It's so much nicer and easier to deal with now. Good luck, I know you are having a bad time of it.

 

[GldnValleyHens]

Good!! Now what about the slider?

Be on that too, soon as I have time. Now I have to put a heat lamp in too, the nights are getting into the 20s and I want to keep the girls laying if possible

 

[aart]

Be on that too, soon as I have time. Now I have to put a heat lamp in too, the nights are getting into the 20s and I want to keep the girls laying if possible

They need light that is carefully timed, not heat to lay.

 

[ToniTalley]

Chickens can do much colder than 20’s, I would not put in a heat lamp, they are too dangerous.

 

[MissChick@dee]

You could extend the roof line to cover that window when it rains. I use something very simple. A piece of vinyl. Mine used to leak into my egg boxes. So when it going to rain I put it up. Take it back down and put it away for next time. Easy and dry. Ya gotta stop the water getting in before you can keep anything dry.

 

[Cryss]

They need light that is carefully timed, not heat to lay.

Chickens can do much colder than 20’s, I would not put in a heat lamp, they are too dangerous.

Amen! I never heat my coop. I live in northwest NJ with bitter winters and nor'easters. As long as there is adequate ventilation and the coop is dry they will be warm enough. Light allows the egg production to continue. Personally I don't force winter egg production as I feel it is unnatural and may shorten their ability to produce eggs in a longer life. But I know this practice is not uncommon. Use light, not heat, if you feel comfortable letting them lay in winter. Do what you need to do for you.

 

[ToniTalley]

By the way, if you do have winter egg laying, you need to collect often because the eggs will freeze and crack.