I haven't had chickens for years but I'm ready to get back into it. I have 15 black Marans eggs, 2 ameraucana eggs, 1 Easter egger egg and 4 Marans/Australorp mix eggs in the incubator. I do not have a coop built...yet, but I have some time as the eggs are just at day 5 maybe 6. I've been trying to do some major homework before our final design. Any thoughts on the following would be greatly appreciated. I know some of you probably use fans during the summer to keep airflow moving so it doesn't get too hot, I plan on having a fan as well. I was thinking about installing a bathroom light with a ventilation fan to help with airflow without creating a draft for the winter months, thoughts? Bedding...I was set on sand because that would be less to compost and I've read that it can be cleaned with a lot less effort versus having straw/wood shavings that I would have to put some place to compost. Lastly, I would like to replenish my flock every couple years so I'm trying to be proactive in the design. I would like to have 2 sections in my coop, (just a chicken wire wall with a screen door for me to get through) open to one another the majority of the time, but that can be blocked off from one another if I'm hatching/introducing new chicks, have one that's being picked on, crazy rooster, etc. Anyone close to 135 and Thompson? Just curious. Thank you for any input you have.
Poop boards.
I've found that Sweet PDZ/Stall Dry is a lifesaver when it comes to keeping bedding clean and smelling nice. Fine wood shavings and PDZ sift easily. Lots of people have found rakes can easily sift out the poo in seconds, but I have really weird angles and corners in my tiny coop so I have to use a kitty litter scoop.
A way to keep the easily picked on, broodies, newbies and bitties away is a must. Try to keep a separate area for quarantine of new or sick birds in case of disease.
Keep an eye on ceilings, corners, etc because bashing your head on things (esp while cleaning) is probably the most common injury for people handling chickens.
Try to design perches and nest boxes so they can be easily removed and cleaned. Make sure you build everything bigger than you think you'll need because you'll succumb to chicken math sooner or later, and you never know when you might want to get a 40lb+ turkey after all. The turkey bug has bitten a few of already
Ducks, geese, peafowl, guineas, quail, pheasants and emu are also options in the future, so be open-minded to keeping some really nifty critters in the future (and for all critters you know you can't handle, get really good at telling yourself, "no" because, undoubtedly, somebody is going to start posting really sweet, cute pictures of their widdle fluffybutts and trying to upsell you. This forum is full of people who--at all times and completely unconsciously most of the time--will attempt to upsell you into all kinds of critters you never would have dreamed to get.
Also, since you plan on "refreshing" every year or two, keep an eye out for where and how you will slaughter birds... and more freezer space because it's always useful anyway.
Have a plan in advance for extra roosters.
Look into feather crafts because you'll have lots of opportunities to make feather wreaths and bows and all kinds of stuff...
Get a first aid kit lined up well in advance. Include bandages, antibiotics, hemorrhoid cream, and all kinds of stuff these fabulous people will sell you on (because you really will need all this stuff sooner or later).
Diatomaceous earth and garden lime.
