My Coop

[DallasChickyMomma]

Quote:
I am not sure this was a post for me or not, but this is something I have been concerned about.

I live in the brand new development in McKinney, so there are no trees here. The roof of my chicken coop completely raises up for more airflow, the back has a 6 inch ventilation area, and the run it's self is all open air. They will also have the run of the yard during the day time, and there is one area by the house that has constant shade and amazing airflow... even if it is a windless day, it seems that area always has wind.

I would have put the coop there, but it is too close to the neighbors house, and I definitely don't want any complaints.

I was thinking I would probably put a small tent like structure over the coop during the day in the summer so that way they aren't standing in the sun to eat and drink. The coop is really pretty small in general, only 4 feet tall, so it wouldn't be hard to erect a tent every day for them (would have to put it up everyday so I don't hear anything from the HOA). More than likely tho, they will be on the side of the house.

Funny as this may sound, if it really came down to it, I would bring them inside the garage, it's like a cave in there during the summer.

I am hoping that I have planned correctly for these girls through the summer. My sister started with chickens about 5 years ago, (Remember the summer that we had record breaking highs?) she lost all of them except one hen. She made a lot of modifications to her coop after that, and luckily she hasn't had any issues since.

Summer. My biggest fear when it comes to animals.

 

[nancypo]

I don't think those are reflections. PM me if you like, but if you look up close there's ridges, etc. inside them. Where do you live?

 

[elmo]

You could plant some trees and fast growing vines for shade in the future. For this summer, you can use shade tarps to move around as needed. I picked up a personal mister last year from Lowes that only cost $10.

The weather is so pleasant now. It's hard to believe the outdoors is going to feel like an oven pretty soon.

 

[MareeZoCool]

Your coop is looking good to me. Just needing a nesting box or two, a simple 3-sided wooden box will be fine, gives the hen privacy & security.

 

[sattoritx]

Quote:
I was thinking about growing tomatos on the outside of our run, are there any plants that are poisonous to chickens?

 

[Backyard_Chicken_rancher]

For you venting needs what I woulld do is use heating vent covers then along the fron side of the coop place hardware cloth on the inside and on the outside cut the full legnth of the wall about 4-6 inches down from the top place one long piano hinge along it on the bottom of it with two eye screws and hook locks to keep it closed this way in the summer the air will move through it like crazy yet in the witer it will still move just not as much yet you will still have the venting you need along with the warmth they need.

Just my 2 cents worth Good luck to you.

 

[nancypo]

Sattor, the leaves of tomatoes are toxic, if I remember right. Part of the "nightshade" family. You might try ivy, peas, etc...

 

[elmo]

Quote:
Yes, and tomato plants (the plant itself, not the fruit) happen to be on that list.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=3096244

I would not put in tomato plants next to the run if the chickens would be able to peck at leaves through the wire. Your run is small, so they're going to be looking for green things to eat; they just might be willing to eat enough of the bitter tomato leaves to get sick.

Here's a good reference on what to feed and what to avoid:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

I clip some romaine lettuce, chard, kale, or the green tops off a bunch of carrots in my run every morning.

 

[DallasChickyMomma]

Chicken coop is painted! Husband made a few modifications, but we are Very pleased with it. The girls are free range chickies in the day time to work with the concerns of space in the coop. Also, trying to come up with a few plant ideas to help bring in some shade, not toxic to them (of course) that grow quickly. Any ideas?

Scramble, my favorite chick.

The crew... they don't like the clicking my camera makes, so they get away from me when I take their pictures.

 

[Lorije1]

I have planted a dozen mammoth sunflowers along one end / corner of my run. I have smaller mixed sunflowers growing down the long side. Not a great deal of shade, but some. I am fortunate in that my "L" shaped run is along a huge old pecan tree. So in the morning the long part of the "L" is shaded, and in the afternoon the short leg of the "L" is completely shaded.