My Renovated Prefab Coop

[ThatTeowonna]

Where's the new roosts?
Might need more windows in some of those panels.

Roosts are definitely coming. Since they are chicks, I figure I have a least a few weeks. As for windows, that might be a little too sophisticated for me right now. I just mastered my DeWalt drill. lol

 

[janiedoe]

Roosts are definitely coming. Since they are chicks, I figure I have a least a few weeks. As for windows, that might be a little too sophisticated for me right now. I just mastered my DeWalt drill. lol

Nice drill! My husband doesn't let me use his DeWalt. I'm stuck with the Bosch.

 

[ThatTeowonna]

UPDATE! My mama heating pad system just isn’t working. I set it up but the temp underneath gets about 60 degrees... a long way to go to 95, and the chicks will be here Friday. So I panicked and installed a 150 degree ceramic heat bulb (no light). As you can see from the pics, the door to the coop is covered with hardware cloth. I closed that in with plastic. There is still adequate ventilation up top. I hope that will bring the temperature up. If not, do I need to install a second 150 degree bulb (I got two-pack)? Before I closed it in, it was about 80 degrees. How close should the bulb be to the ground? I will add hemp straw tomorrow. Chicks are on the way. Please help me get ready for them. I’ve abandoned the MHP option. How can I make this work safely?

 

[ThatTeowonna]

Awesome! That looks great! I never thought of doing that. Brilliant.

That was the brilliance of @rosemarythyme.

 

[ThatTeowonna]

Very nice transformation. What are the final dimensions?

Final dimensions: 78 in x 38 in. Still small, but much larger than the 3 ft coop I started with. I’m pleased for now.

 

[Bwc]

I've had a busy two days and I'm so proud of myself. A while ago, @rosemarythyme suggested I turn my prefab coop and run into a coop. I thought it was a great idea... I just never got around to it. I had some bad luck with LT and had to cull my whole flock. I recently decided to start over... with chicks this time. My chicken yard had been released from quarantine since I've done everything the local extension program required I do. I ordered 15 new chicks that should be delivered in a few days. I used my day off for MLK Day to follow RoseMaryThyme's suggestion. I gutted the coop portion and added a floor, and closed in the run. So now, I have a decent, albeit small, coop. I added a coat of paint, and even moved my backyard camera to the coop. My mama heating pad is in place. Now, I'm just ready for my chicks. I'm super stoked and can't wait to add my new chicks! Here are my the pictures that outline my progress.

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Added the floor

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Removed all the innards except to nesting boxes.

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Added panels to close in the run.

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Added a coat of paint! And voila!!! My renovated coop.

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Next, add imagery on the panels and chicks!

LT?

 

[janiedoe]

I'm sure that you've read all you can on the MHP but are you aware that the chicks must be able to touch their backs to the pad?
They really will be warm enough with the pad set to low. I don't think you can go by the temp in the "cave". I've had very good luck with the MHP outdoors even with my fall chicks.
Think of it this way: a hen doesn't keep her chicks warm 24/7. Even in cold weather they run out and play and go back under mom when they need warmth. If you lifted up the hen and held a thermometer in the space under her, I doubt it would be 95. However if you touch her underside it is much warmer than the air. It is also safer for you and the chicks. I'm scared to death of starting a fire with those red bulbs.
Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[ThatTeowonna]

LT?

Yes. LT. This new flock is pretty much a tester flock (I hate to say it like that). I decided to go with chicks because the State chicken vet said chicks can’t get LT until about 3 weeks old. So if they come down with it, then I know the virus is still active in my chicken yard. I pray not. I don’t know if I can go through another wipe out. What’s your experience with LT?

 

[Bwc]

Yes. LT. This new flock is pretty much a tester flock (I hate to say it like that). I decided to go with chicks because the State chicken vet said chicks can’t get LT until about 3 weeks old. So if they come down with it, then I know the virus is still active in my chicken yard. I pray not. I don’t know if I can go through another wipe out. What’s your experience with LT?

Im new to chickens and have no idea what LT is... id be horrified if i had to cull a whole flock!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

UPDATE! My mama heating pad system just isn’t working. I set it up but the temp underneath gets about 60 degrees... a long way to go to 95, and the chicks will be here Friday. So I panicked and installed a 150 degree ceramic heat bulb (no light). As you can see from the pics, the door to the coop is covered with hardware cloth. I closed that in with plastic. There is still adequate ventilation up top. I hope that will bring the temperature up. If not, do I need to install a second 150 degree bulb (I got two-pack)? Before I closed it in, it was about 80 degrees. How close should the bulb be to the ground? I will add hemp straw tomorrow. Chicks are on the way. Please help me get ready for them. I’ve abandoned the MHP option. How can I make this work safely?

Don't go by thermometer. MHPs don't warm the air at all and rely on direct contact. How hot does it feel to your bare hand when you rest it on the pad? Should feel noticeably warm, but definitely not scorching.

I wouldn't close up the ventilation on the door either, that's the majority of the ventilation in your coop right now. The heat source should be placed on one side of the door or the other, so the walls can provide the draft protection you need.

80 degrees overall is really a lot warmer than I ever have my chicks at outside. We usually are around 40F to 60F when the chicks are being brooded. I leave all the ventilation open and the only solid walls are the ones immediately around the heat pad itself.