My Coop & Run

[PippinTheChicken]

I wanted to show you guys my coop setup. I recently did a few minor changes since the chicks are now officially living with the hens (the run and the coop are no longer separated!). It is looking a bit messy today since they had some leftover fast food. If anyone has any ideas to add to it, please tell me!

1) clean-up bucket- a little bucket that I use to scoop up small poops and little messes

2) Roof- since I have silkies, they must be protected from rain and sky predators like the red kites that live nearby.

3) coop- I has an auto door opener, 6 nesting boxes, roosts and a broody hen! it is covered to protect against drafts.

4) drinker- it is a raised drinker that is auto filled by the rainwater!

5) grit feeder- a small chick feeder that is being used for grit. It is raised on bricks to stop it getting messy

6) treat area- its a grey brick that the chickens use to file beaks and nails. We put the treats on top to stop them getting spilled

7) hiding box- it is meant to be for sheltering from the rain, cold and other chickens. It isn't used much

8) the swing- homemade swing. isn't used that often

9) play area- stepping stools, xylophone and a rubber duck entertain the birds

10) feeder- mixed corn and layers pellets.

11) branch- mostly used as decoration, it's meant to be a perch but is mostly scratched or pecked.


thanks for looking and sorry about how messy it is today! tell me what your runs are like and how mine can be improved!

 

[saysfaa]

Thank you for numbering the features and the key for what and why they are. I've learned from yours so mine will be better it otherwise would have been.

I don't think you missed much. Maybe something noticeably higher for them to climb on... a stepped pyramid of pavers maybe. Also, Maybe something that breaks their line of sight.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Best to offer just feed, not corn + feed. The corn is diluting down the nutrition of the feed, especially if you're giving them a lot of it.

Your "hiding box" would get more use if it was something a bit bigger, and placed further away from the wall, so chickens could get all the way around it as well as under and on top. A small wooden table or chair would work as a replacement.

I'd scrap the swing and anything else they simply don't use, as that just eats up space with no benefit.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

@rosemarythyme

I buy the feed mixed like that. It's been mixed correctly so that it is healthy and nutritious for them.
The box is probably gonna go soon anyway, it's not being used and its just wasting space

 

[rosemarythyme]

@rosemarythyme

I buy the feed mixed like that. It's been mixed correctly so that it is healthy and nutritious for them.
The box is probably gonna go soon anyway, it's not being used and its just wasting space

Ah ok, I wasn't sure if you were supplementing it.

The idea behind the box is good, the placement and the size is not ideal.

 

[3KillerBs]

That looks thoughtfully planned. I agree that you should take out the things that don't work and try other options.

I can't see any ventilation in the coop.

Drafts -- strong air movement that ruffles the feathers -- are bad, but ventilation is CRITICAL..

Look how much ventilation I put in a brooder:

8 inches all around at the top,

A vent on the door that can be opened partially or fully,

And one end that can be opened almost completely (for the first week or so there is a cardboard barrier inside to keep winds from blowing right onto the chicks)

Yes, silkies need more protection from inclement weather than many other breeds, but they still need an abundance of fresh air.

That aside, you need to write up a coop page article because you've worked very hard to make your birds comfortable and happy.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

That looks thoughtfully planned. I agree that you should take out the things that don't work and try other options.

I can't see any ventilation in the coop.

Drafts -- strong air movement that ruffles the feathers -- are bad, but ventilation is CRITICAL..

Look how much ventilation I put in a brooder:

View attachment 2683259

8 inches all around at the top,

View attachment 2683260

A vent on the door that can be opened partially or fully,

View attachment 2683262

And one end that can be opened almost completely (for the first week or so there is a cardboard barrier inside to keep winds from blowing right onto the chicks)

View attachment 2683264

Yes, silkies need more protection from inclement weather than many other breeds, but they still need an abundance of fresh air.

That aside, you need to write up a coop page article because you've worked very hard to make your birds comfortable and happy.

Thanks! During the summer, the cover will probably be taken off but I will find a way for better ventilation.

Thanks for replying

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks! During the summer, the cover will probably be taken off but I will find a way for better ventilation.

Thanks for replying

As long as the vents are above the chickens' heads when they're roosting there is no need for a cover in the winter.

 

[PippinTheChicken]

Earlier, I raked up all the dirty hemp. Looking cleaner now.
How can I clean the coop without annoying my broody?

 

[3KillerBs]

Earlier, I raked up all the dirty hemp. Looking cleaner now.
How can I clean the coop without annoying my broody?

Does the coop *need* cleaning?

Could you just put some fresh litter on top?

My limited experience with 3 broodies is that anything annoys them -- especially me trying to take eggs -- but not much will actually shift them if they're determined about it.