My DIY Chicken Coop

[gtaus]

Thanks for the tip about the old leaves for the ground on the snow! That's a genius idea!

Yeah, it only took me four winters to figure that out! I'm a real genius!

Having said that most people that I know that have chickens around where I live just keep the hens in the hen house all winter. So, I did the same. Never gave it much thought and the chickens did fine. However, this past winter I wanted to see what I could do to make it enjoyable for the chickens to get outside and get some fresh air and sunshine. I'm not sure, but I think the chickens enjoy the option of going outside in the dead of winter. They just won't walk on white snow. But a thin layer of leaves on top of the snow is all that is required, and they are happy to spend some time outside even on the coldest days.

I thought about putting a roof on a small part of the outside run, right over the door they chickens will come out of to help protect from rain and snow. Then of course then can go under then hen house as well.

Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. You have the great advantage of an elevated coop with a nice space underneath for the chickens to hang out. I would take advantage of that. A partial roof may be all you would need to get everything winter ready.

I had considered building a partial roof, or some kind of tunnel system, for my chickens in the winter. But I converted my entire chicken run into a chicken run composting system, so I did not want to cover the run. Plus, as you know, to build a big roof strong enough for our expected winter snow loads would have cost me a lot of money. In the end, tossing some leaves on top of the snow in the run just worked out great for me and cost me nothing. Plus, now when the chickens do go outside, they get some direct sunlight in the run.

FYI, I built my chicken coop big enough to setup my metal water fount on a heater base and hanging feeder inside the coop. So, my chickens never really had to go outside in the winter at all, and they would be well taken care of. I don't know what you have planned for fresh water in the winter, but I think freshwater access is probably the most important thing to the health of my chickens.

Like me, you saved a lot of money by using pallet/salvaged wood in your project. I recommend you spend some of that savings on your winter water setup. That's one area that I bought the best system I could for my setup, and I have never regretted it. My water stays fresh and flowing even down to -35F in the dead of winter.

Looking forward to more pictures of your project. It's coming along great! Thanks for posting your progress.

 

[wildrose41]

Let me make a suggestion if I can. I would skip the pallet floor, and use earth, or cement pad. Make your coop a walk-in .
Use the salvaged boards to make walls, and everything else.
Ask anything else you may have.


WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[wildrose41]

ALSO with a dirt floor, you can allow a deep litter base to develop. It involves using a thick layer of organic material (like wood shavings, straw, or shredded paper) that absorbs waste and creates a natural compost pile. This method offers benefits like reduced cleaning time, natural temperature regulation, and the creation of valuable garden compost.

 

[cavemanrich]

ALSO with a dirt floor, you can allow a deep litter base to develop. It involves using a thick layer of organic material (like wood shavings, straw, or shredded paper) that absorbs waste and creates a natural compost pile. This method offers benefits like reduced cleaning time, natural temperature regulation, and the creation of valuable garden compost.

I agree with you, But the OP has different needs, so raised coop is favorable in his situation.

 

[gtaus]

ALSO with a dirt floor, you can allow a deep litter base to develop. It involves using a thick layer of organic material (like wood shavings, straw, or shredded paper) that absorbs waste and creates a natural compost pile. This method offers benefits like reduced cleaning time, natural temperature regulation, and the creation of valuable garden compost.

OP has already decided on an elevated coop. That's no longer on the table.

You can still have a deep litter system in an elevated coop, but there would not be the beneficial ground contact. I have an elevated coop and use dry deep bedding in the coop. When I clean out the coop litter, it all gets tossed into the chicken run to turn into chicken run compost for my gardens.

Dry deep bedding has the advantage of reduced cleaning - I clean out my coop twice a year. Composting takes places after the coop litter gets dumped into the chicken run.

I prefer the dry deep bedding because I live in northern Minnesota, where our winter temperatures can get down to -40F. I want my coop as dry as possible. I don't think a moist deep litter system would be the best option for where I live. My dry deep bedding works for me, so I guess I'll stick with that. OP lives in Michigan, IIRC, so I think he made the best decision for what he needs.

There are a number of advantages to the elevated coop that OP is building. He has added enough room under the coop to provide a nice, sheltered snow-free space for his chickens to enjoy in the winter months. And, OP will not have to worry about snow blocking his doors or access to his elevated coop.

FYI, my doors on my elevated coop are about 3 feet off the ground and I have never had them snowed in - yet. If my coop was at ground level, I might have a lot of work keeping my access free and open. My garden sheds and storage units are pretty much blocked from access from Nov-Mar most years. That's part of the reason I went with an elevated coop. It's just easier for me.