Large coop fixer-upper - could use some advise.

[MichelleP43]

10  to 20 hens could easily multiply  Chickens are fun and more chickens means... more fun!, eh?

Since the walls need work anyway,  I would consider more ventilation.  More light would be nice too. 

If there is juice you could put a small electric heater in the pump room.

I would use the cheaper between straw and pine shavings.  I prefer straw.

We don't plan to get a rooster with the hens, at least not yet

I didn't mention it, but there are 4 vents in the ceiling, 1 in each corner

Good thought on the heater, just a bit worried about fire.

We have a few years worth of straw for the cows so straw it will be.

Thanks for the input

 

[Nineplus5]

Wasn't thinking about heat for the girls. They'll be fine even with -20 as long as they have feed and ventilation.

Was hoping you could get your pump working and then only heat the small pump room. You could put a freeze-block on the heater so it only come on when the room temp is below 35. A tiny pump room 5x5(?) wouldn't run the heater much at all.

I think we only lost one hen to cold when I was a kid (70s). Late 70s the Dakotas were way cold. -20 to -30 and one year we even got to -39. Didn't get like that after I left home. Quite balmy for a couple decades in the 80s-090s I think.

 

[MichelleP43]

Wasn't thinking about heat for the girls. They'll be fine even with -20 as long as they have feed and ventilation.

Was hoping you could get your pump working and then only heat the small pump room.  You could put a freeze-block on the heater so it only come on when the room temp is below 35.  A tiny pump room 5x5(?) wouldn't run the heater much at all.

I think we only lost one hen to cold when I was a  kid (70s).   Late 70s the Dakotas were way cold.  -20 to -30 and one year we even got to -39.  Didn't get like that after I left home.   Quite balmy for a couple decades in the 80s-090s I think. 

Oh ok gotcha on the pump.

We have had about 5 good winters, pretty mild snow-wise compared to previous years. It still get cold though.

 

[Nineplus5]

And I love this pic.

It says, "moo" not "Boo"


Peeka-moo instead of peekaboo?

I'm a dork LOL

 

[MichelleP43]

Ha ha peek a moo

They're so spoiled with sugar cubes they follow us around. Yesterday I almost had two calves join me in the coop. Not a good or safe idea.

 

[Nineplus5]

Yup. Even two calves and it would get crowded pretty quick. Not safe.

They're probably curious (and snack chasing) about what's going on in the coop. Need a pack-saddle and they can help carry tools.


You had some cold there already this last week. No snow?

 

[MichelleP43]

There was about an inch of snow to wake up to this morning but it melted around 1pm. And good idea, I should put the cattle to work.

 

[Nineplus5]

I love the smell of snow in the air. The fall snows anyway. By Feb or so it gets really old.

You folks have a garden too?

 

[MichelleP43]

I love the smell of snow in the air.  The fall snows anyway.  By Feb or so it gets really old.

You folks have a garden too? 

Yes we have a very large garden, close to 1/3 an acre. It was mostly corn and pumpkins this year.

 

[Nineplus5]

Nice sized garden, ya.

And alot of corn for a family. Feed supplement for the cattle?

My garden is about a tenth of the size of yours. Built a green house here last spring. The idea is to get a jump on spring veg starts and to extend the pepper/tomato season here.