is my coop warm enough

[mamaannie]

I bought a coop on craigs list (check out the photo) that is raised. The floor of the coop is hardware cloth. I have 4 pullets. We built a fenced pen around the coop and covered the top in bird netting (not shown).
My question....The chickens are 7 weeks now and I just took the warming lamp out. I still have a basket that I fill with pine shavings. They don't seem to want to roost yet.
I worry because it just seems so cold and drafty with no floor to the coop. They tend to stay in the basket or in the egg box on the left.
We live in San Diego so it rarely gets that cold and if it rains I drape the coop with a tarp.
Should I do any more or am I completely paranoid?!
I can't believe how much I enjoy these birds!
thanks

 

[patandchickens]

What are your low temperatures like, these days?

If you are concerned they may feel 'drafty from underneath' you could always cover the mesh floor of the coop with a piece of cardboard for the time being?

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[CoyoteMagic]

I'd be worried of the pussy cat coming in for a snack!!

 

[vstoltzfus]

I'm in Lancaster PA, which is a lot colder than San Diego.

Our coop has a wire floor, and I haven't had any problems with the coop being too cold. It gets below freezing in there, but my hens have adapted very well. You probably don't have anything to worry about.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

The most important thing is that they stay dry. Sounds like you are doing a great job of keeping the coop dry. I wouldn't worry about them too much. They may just prefer the bedding right now.

 

[sangel4you]

Quote:
I am just above HArrisburg, What a snow we are getting tonight eh?! How old are your chickens? I have some 6 week olds that I want to put out soon, but they will be separated from my regular girls who have a coop inside of an open air barn. Plenty of wind and air, just out of the rain and snow. Problem is, my quarentine pen is underneath the reg coop only enclosed with wire. So they're out of the rain and snow but basically just under the regular coop. Nothing else besides the wire and barn walls around them. I am thinking I'll probably put a box in there on it's side just so they have something to go in that's kid of like a coop but they will still typically be exposed. When do you think I can put them out in that. No problems with the cold for my bigger girls and boys this winter so far.

 

[fldiver97]

Ypu can always put a piece of plywood of the wire bottom to keep some possible wind/draft out and they may also be more willing to walk on that vs wire. Mine did not roost at that age, they slept in a box filled with straw and shavings, then on shelf with straw bedding. They started roosting weeks later. You can also put a cardbox box on it's side and fill it with bedding for them to snuggle in. They are still little...

 

[chookchick]

Chickens just really don't like wire floors. That's why they are staying off of them. I really don't care for them, for that reason and several others. I would replace the wire with plywood, with vinyl on top, and a layer of litter. I think you will find them out in the coop a lot more with that arrangement. Just change out the litter once a month and compost it for your garden.

 

[The Sheriff]

Quote:
I agree! Mine did not like the wire floor and when they got big and jumped down from the roosts they tore it loose anyway. So I replaced it with plywood and litter and they were happy campers. Of course the addiction set in, the coop got too small, and I got a bigger one with a vinyl floor.

 

[mamaannie]

thank you all! I feel much better and I think I'll be adding some plywood!
they are so cute...names : Puppet, Secret, Butterfly and Toby the People Rescuer (named by my 3 year old!)