My converted coop

[savannahg424]

I used to raise goats so I decided rather than completely build I new coop I would convert the goat shed. The shed is built off of a fence so one of the walls as 1/4 inch gaps and a ledge near the bottom. The other three walls are completely solid. Do I need to cover the gaps or are they fine? Also, the roof is shingled but it tends to leak a bit creating some drips from the ceiling when it rains heavily. Will this be a problem for the chickens? Thank you!

 

[jetdog]

Yes seal it up and make sure you have enough ventilation, the dryer the inside is the better everybody will be.

 

[Alaskan]

I wouldn't cover the gaps.

I would be tempted to take out two complete walls and replace with hardware cloth.

I would fix the drips though, the chickens will stay healthier if their roosts and nest boxes stay dry.

Where you live is hot, you only need enough shelter to keep them dry, other than that the more open the better since that also means it will be cooler.

As long as you are not going to get to -10F or worse, there is no reason to put them in a box, and many reasons to keep them in the open. (As long as it is predator proof of course)

 

[savannahg424]

It is never above 70 so I'm not worried about them getting to hot. It is always foggy and cold though.

 

[Alaskan]

Cold like 20F, 40F???

 

[savannahg424]

during the spring summer fall it ranges between 50f and 65f during the winter it will dip to the 30s with no snow

 

[AmyPaperlady]

Sounds like Crescent City

Horizontal rain (normally) in the winter, too

 

[Alaskan]

In that case, I would suggest you try to make it look as much like the Woods coop as possible.


Here is a thread with some pictures, so you know what I am talking about.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/445004/woods-style-house-in-the-winter