Minnesota!

[KlopKlop]

Colored broilers have many names but are all essentially the same bird, just somebodies personal 'recipe' of breeding stock. Lots of people are happy with them. I haven't don't them, but have done Dixie Rainbows which are a great dual purpose breed. I've done CX as well of course.

What a great photo. Is she an Australorp?

Yes. She is 2.5 so I worry this might be the last hurrah of her egg laying parts. If she pulls through she will stay with her flockmates, even if she is done laying.

 

[mnbrewdude]

I suggest a vent at the top on the East and West sides.  Make your window to the South so they can get some natural light in
during the winter months.  If you have it in an open exposure to the South this gives a little bit of passive solar as well.  If it is gabled, the heat will rise to the top. Wind will pull the air through from one end and out the other vent if it is properly aligned with East/West.

What do you have made already, can I ask?  I find it easiest to use metal roofing materials, less weight and less heat radiating in Summer.  I would suggest double wall instead of insulating since insulation can make it too warm and then allow moisture build-up in Winter from birds pooping and breathing.

I would got bigger not he window too if that top rectangle is the window, but that is my personal opinion.  I do think birds are happier with natural light as much as possible.  A Window can mean using clear roofing material over the opening too.  In fact, I just did this to a small coop where I used to have an access door to the nests I originally had in there.  The birds loved the light coming in there without having to be exposed directly to the outdoors to get it.  There is enough airflow around the ripples in the clear material too that it allows some ventilation without having draft.  I can take some pictures if you want me to show you what I mean.  In fact, I used that for a few coops this year to give them a window. to brighten up the coops.  Of course, you can always go with the barn windows, which can be found at Fleet Farm for the best prices.  I have used the vinyl sliding windows in the brooder house, which I would not recommend since they get all skanky in the tracks and are hard to clean.  I opted for awning windows for the new building I started and plan to house rabbits and either bantam or started birds in.  

I have made lots of coop building mistakes, so I can offer things to NOT do as well as things TO do

I'm just finished with the framing of the structure "see photo", and am working on my t1-11 siding, which is why this is coming up now!! I did purchase sheets of OSB to do a standard 3 tab shingled roof, because I thought steel would allow too much air movement? It's about a horse a piece so I can return the OSB to opt for steel. When you do your steel roof do you just use 1 by 4 strapping and screw it all in?

 

[The BlanchRanch]

They have a special screw that has a rubber gasket.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

I put OSB and steel on my roof.

 

[lalaland]

I have made lots of coop building mistakes, so I can offer things to NOT do as well as things TO do

Minniechickmama, isn't that the truth! you made me laugh

I put OSB and steel on my roof.

blanch that is one sweet coop! in the middle pic, what is the purpose of the "door" on the roof? (ventilation?) have fun at the motorcycle thing, seems like a great day to be doing something inside (another dreary grey day).

 

[The BlanchRanch]

Quote: That is where the nest boxes are. I do open all the doors on the really hot days. They enjoy perching on the edge and pooping down the side of the roof then. But then I just spray it off along with my sidewalk, my steps and my back porch. Wish my dog liked chicken poop.
Thanks. I think I will have fun. Many friends and one of my greatest obsessions outside of chickens.

 

[The BlanchRanch]

mnbrewdude My open windows are pointed east and west so it offers great ventilation in the summer. In the winter, I cover the open windows with clear plastic but I still have good ventilation under the ridge and it comes up under the pitching point that is on the north and south side so it does not blow through and cause drafts. I also have the sunroof on the south side.

 

[Cebarmlds]

I'm just finished with the framing of the structure "see photo", and am working on my t1-11 siding, which is why this is coming up now!! I did purchase sheets of OSB to do a standard 3 tab shingled roof, because I thought steel would allow too much air movement? It's about a horse a piece so I can return the OSB to opt for steel. When you do your steel roof do you just use 1 by 4 strapping and screw it all in?

When DH built my coop he put the steel roofing over the plywood.

 

[lalaland]

very unappetizing object inside egg this morning:




seemed to be a gelatin, soft, tiny egg. tablespoon for size comparison. Yuck!

 

[KlopKlop]

very unappetizing object inside egg this morning:




seemed to be a gelatin, soft, tiny egg. tablespoon for size comparison. Yuck!

EW!!!