Bek
Chirping
Working to modify my existing structure to provide more space and prepare for the inevitable winter season in central Indiana (which = prepare for anything!). Would love your feedback!!! I've done my best to get as many details as I could think of into this post (although I know I didn't cover it all!) so you chicken gurus can hopefully advise me more thoroughly
We were gifted the coop when we adopted our flock of 5 production red hens a few weeks back (which we were told are RIR; I'm a chicken newbie so didn't know difference but figured out they are not base on a previous thread I posted here). We don't have much misc money in our budget, so I need to modify to the best of my abilities with what materials I have laying around. Obviously, there will be some necessary items I have yet to purchase, but need to keep budget restrictions in mind.
Here's what she looks like now. The concrete pad doesn't have sufficient drainage so we've placed the coop on one row of concrete blocks.
1)) I built a base for the existing structure to sit atop, painting with Kilz2, will wrap with hardware cloth. I'll be closing in the existing run, perhaps with panels that can be propped open since there's already hardware cloth in place ((plus there aren't vents currently, see #6)). The upstairs will be the coop; downstairs will be the run. There will be a piece of protected plywood((see #2)) used as the coop floor, I plan to jigsaw a hole out in one corner and create perch steps for the girls to hop up and down. Based on limited space, I didn't think a ramp would be the way to go. Will attach a couple 2x4s around the jigsawed hole upstairs to create a lip so pine shaving spillage into run can be lessened. Will also have a door/cover to close off downstairs run as needed.
This may just take some pictures once I'm to that step to better explain all that craziness
2)) Protected plywood - one sheet plywood will be used for coop floor (which will be the run's ceiling), and one as floor to downstairs run (which will sit on top of concrete blocks like it is now). I know it would be best to place flooring on the plywood for protection; however, I already have a 5g bucket of Kilz2 and curious if anyone has used this rather than flooring over top of wood. I read on BYC that it could be done, but would like some elaboration.
3)) I'd like to cut out some/all of the middle existing wall to open things up - the wall w chicken door that currently separates coop and run. Although, I am concerned about structural integrity if I start cutting away since the wood used is fairly thin. Could I reinforce the structure with a cross piece of wood to help? I dont want this thing to just collapse on us.
4)) Also, how far from the ceiling do they need to be when roosting in winter to keep things from freezing up? What I call the "attic" door, opened up to a storage cubby...two wood panels rested on a ledge to create the attic storage floor/coop ceiling.
I removed the wood panels to give them more vertical space and raised roosting bar for the time being - original roosting bar was too low and way too narrow so they were roosting in nesting boxes.
With things opened up, I'd like to give them ample roosting options. Curious if this is just too little clearance from roof to place a new roosting bar on that existing ledge. I bet I'll need to go between the existing ledge and the door at bottom left of pic, but definitely don't know enough about this...
5)) Speaking of roosting...I have a space-saving roosting ladder in the works that has literally come together with my leftover scraps.
Plan to place this ladder in what is currently the run portion of the coop (that will be enclosed). A dropping board will not be possible with my setup, so I'll want to place a tarp/cloth under to catch the droppings - will post pic of ladder soon! What is recommended for easy cleaning/durability when it comes to this method?
6)) VENTS!!! There aren't any! As for now, I've been opening the "attic" door during the day and placing hardware cloth to cover the opening. Also, the coop door is just an opening, so even at night the coop is not completely void of air flow. I have read something like around 20% of coop (at top and bottom) ought to be vented. Where would best places be to add vents? Best method?
Any advice for this newbie is welcomed, and much appreciated!!! Will update with more pictures as things are coming along.
We were gifted the coop when we adopted our flock of 5 production red hens a few weeks back (which we were told are RIR; I'm a chicken newbie so didn't know difference but figured out they are not base on a previous thread I posted here). We don't have much misc money in our budget, so I need to modify to the best of my abilities with what materials I have laying around. Obviously, there will be some necessary items I have yet to purchase, but need to keep budget restrictions in mind.
Here's what she looks like now. The concrete pad doesn't have sufficient drainage so we've placed the coop on one row of concrete blocks.
1)) I built a base for the existing structure to sit atop, painting with Kilz2, will wrap with hardware cloth. I'll be closing in the existing run, perhaps with panels that can be propped open since there's already hardware cloth in place ((plus there aren't vents currently, see #6)). The upstairs will be the coop; downstairs will be the run. There will be a piece of protected plywood((see #2)) used as the coop floor, I plan to jigsaw a hole out in one corner and create perch steps for the girls to hop up and down. Based on limited space, I didn't think a ramp would be the way to go. Will attach a couple 2x4s around the jigsawed hole upstairs to create a lip so pine shaving spillage into run can be lessened. Will also have a door/cover to close off downstairs run as needed.
This may just take some pictures once I'm to that step to better explain all that craziness
2)) Protected plywood - one sheet plywood will be used for coop floor (which will be the run's ceiling), and one as floor to downstairs run (which will sit on top of concrete blocks like it is now). I know it would be best to place flooring on the plywood for protection; however, I already have a 5g bucket of Kilz2 and curious if anyone has used this rather than flooring over top of wood. I read on BYC that it could be done, but would like some elaboration.
3)) I'd like to cut out some/all of the middle existing wall to open things up - the wall w chicken door that currently separates coop and run. Although, I am concerned about structural integrity if I start cutting away since the wood used is fairly thin. Could I reinforce the structure with a cross piece of wood to help? I dont want this thing to just collapse on us.
4)) Also, how far from the ceiling do they need to be when roosting in winter to keep things from freezing up? What I call the "attic" door, opened up to a storage cubby...two wood panels rested on a ledge to create the attic storage floor/coop ceiling.
I removed the wood panels to give them more vertical space and raised roosting bar for the time being - original roosting bar was too low and way too narrow so they were roosting in nesting boxes.
With things opened up, I'd like to give them ample roosting options. Curious if this is just too little clearance from roof to place a new roosting bar on that existing ledge. I bet I'll need to go between the existing ledge and the door at bottom left of pic, but definitely don't know enough about this...
5)) Speaking of roosting...I have a space-saving roosting ladder in the works that has literally come together with my leftover scraps.
Plan to place this ladder in what is currently the run portion of the coop (that will be enclosed). A dropping board will not be possible with my setup, so I'll want to place a tarp/cloth under to catch the droppings - will post pic of ladder soon! What is recommended for easy cleaning/durability when it comes to this method?
6)) VENTS!!! There aren't any! As for now, I've been opening the "attic" door during the day and placing hardware cloth to cover the opening. Also, the coop door is just an opening, so even at night the coop is not completely void of air flow. I have read something like around 20% of coop (at top and bottom) ought to be vented. Where would best places be to add vents? Best method?
Any advice for this newbie is welcomed, and much appreciated!!! Will update with more pictures as things are coming along.
Ditto with getting down.
