Just got a free coop (pictures) how can I make this the perfect coop?

[Judy]

Lots of people do DLM with pine shavings. But people also use hay, straw, shredded paper, last fall's leaves, grass clippings, rice hulls, some sort of corn castoff stuff -- on and on. None are perfect, chickens sometimes eat too much and get impacted crops, newspaper ink is debatable, hay can harbor mites, straw can mold if wet -- again, on and on.

Nobody says you have to clean the poop board every day. Some put a little litter on it (poop doesn't stick so bad, also) and either clean it off on a schedule or, if they're like me, when it smells. Patandchickens is (I gather) our unofficial resident expert on coops. Here is a link to a pic of his/her (I don't know!) setup that I wish I had seen before I did my first coop. Everything in one place, roost, nests, poop board -- frees up so much floor space. You could do this in your coop, though it might be a little extra work as you might need to move a door:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642

So simple, just uses the top of the nest boxes to hold the poop board.

Yeah, you've got the math right. If you plan on making it movable, I'm stumped. If you are going to leave it in place, you just need a little lumber.

Did I miss something? Gotta go put chickens up.

 

[Judy]

Oh, wood pellets. I get the feeling that not too many people use them. Around here they are definitely more expensive than pine shavings, at least initially. Though some who use them have said they'll never use anything else again, never an odor, minimal dust. I just bought a bag to play with, using it mostly for extra odor control/dryout right now. I gather they turn into sawdust. People seem to have a worry about sawdust, but where I live it is the traditional bedding. I just have no idea how they would work for DLM, especially over a winter. Something you can research when you start reading the coop section, I guess, or just make another thread....

 

[sheeshshe]

Pat is a 'she" hehehehe....

Pat has a husband Tim and 2 kids I think 2? LOL

heneyways, I see what you mean about the poop board even better now. I've got to figure out a way to do a poop board since it seems convenient and you use less bedding too! economical! and since I wouldn't have to scrape it each day it would be ok!!

I think I've got some good ideas! I'm still not sure if we plan on keeping it where it is or not. its really heavy and its not on wheels... so my guess is that it will stay where it is... I want it where it is for the winter because its easy to get to... but I also wonder if it gets enough sun... how much sun/shade should the coop get? I can understand how the summer it should prob be more shady, but should it be more sunny in the winter? or will it be ok? it does get sun there just not all day sun.

 

[Judy]

I think as long as the run gets sun part of the day, it will be fine where it is. I like coops close to the house, too; I like the convenience. Mine are both within 100'. I wouldn't mind closer. Chickens need some sun, they make vitamin D from it, as we do.

I suppose what would be ideal is morning sun in the summer and full sun in the winter, but that's a bit difficult to do in a stationary coop! You're going to have to prevent frostbitten combs in the winter, maybe just with good ventilation and keeping humidity down. I doubt it gets hot enough there to worry about overheating in the summer, as long as they have breeze and shade on hotter days. They get in trouble over 100 degrees, which of course a small coop can build up in full summer sun.

If it had a large deciduous tree on its west side, it would get PM shade in the summer but more sun in the winter. I'm sure you'll figure out the ideal location.

Be sure to make another thread with lots of pics when you are done! (Well, you could revive this one and update the title line, too.)

 

[sheeshshe]

weird question.... I didn't think the chickens would come out in the run in the snow... but perhaps they do???

oh dear, one of my chicks voices is changing as we speak!!! LOL here come the seagully sounds LOL!


hmmm. I'll have to pay attention to what the sun does here. I think it gets morning sun where it is at currently. I just need to make sure its close enough to shovel to in the winter is all... because if I have to shovel halfway across the driveway to get to my chickens each snow storm?? forget it! Im done for LOL!

 

[Judy]

We don't get snow! But I grew up near Chicago. I agree, shoveling snow ain't gonna happen just for chickens! Didn't even think about that.

Evidently, chickens aren't fond of walking on snow, but they will certainly come out in cold weather. Hmmm... I know where I can get free pallets.... I might keep a few around to throw on top of the snow so they could get out. I've seen pictures of little shelves in runs so they can get outdoors where the run is roofed.

Glad I don't have to deal with that any more, esp. walking and driving on ice.

 

[sheeshshe]

LOL!!! thats funny

well I guess in the winter I could cover their run right? that way its not getting snow inside... I mean if the snow is anything like we had last year?? HA! forget it there won't BE a run!!! seriously. we had so much last year that it came up to my waist or higher even! poor things... I'd have to take the chickens inside to run around or something!