Inside coop bedding?

[Fancypants1]

Just got our new coop and our chicks will be outside in a few weeks. We live in Massachusetts and would like to know what type of bedding materials to use inside the coop. Also, do I out something on the floor of the coop for them or just in the nesting boxes? One more question, do most people leave the watered and feeder outside all winter or should I have a place for it inside once the snow and cold weather start?

 

[jetdog]

Hey neighbor I use shavings in the coop but I have poop boards so they last 10x longer than having none, shavings in the nestboxs as well. I put vinyl flooring tiles on the floor for easy cleaning, you'll need roost higher than the laying boxes. My feeder is outside all year but this winter the water will be inside, had a hell of a time keeping it from freezing I switched to horrizontal nipples and a stock tank heater and it works great, my run is also covered so they don't get in the snow and have a dry place all winter.

 

[Fancypants1]

Thanks for the tip on the poop board. I am also taking your advise and going to get some vinyl flooring down before I add the chicks. One more question what is the best feeder and water container for once they get outside?

 

[jetdog]

Check with Lowe's in the clearance shelf for flooring I used the 12x12 stick down vinyl tiles and got them for .05 cents a piece $1.24 to do the whole floor.

 

[jetdog]

For the waterer I bought horizontal nipples from "all bout chickens" and they work perfectly no leaks no freezing in the winter with a stock tank heater inside the bucket, just drill a 3/8 hole and screw them in. They were using them with in 2 minutes.

 

[jetdog]

For my feeder I made a 5 gallon bucket with two 90 degree elbows, it's outside all year round and there is no wasted food they have to stick their heads inside and can't fling the food out, there are videos on YouTube on how to make it, mine holds about a months worth of food for my 4 girls. Search 5 gallon bucket feeders on YouTube.

 

[jetdog]

On your big door you might want to consider putting a board across the opening removable of course so the shavings don't fall out every time you open the door.Your coop looks real nice I'm sure they will love their home