My urban stealth coop ideas

[CptCluck]

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Thanks! That's super helpful - Sand and a rake might be a good way to go - I could just build the bottom like a 4" deep tub of sorts and just rake it out.

 

[Sorin]

Australian Ground Parrots!

I'm embarrassed to say it took me a minute to get that one!

 

[benjoycei]

...ground parrots.... that is too funny

 

[Dooner]

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I am in the process of building my coop now. It is 4x6'. It is based on the purina plans. Don't know if you need three nest boxes, one or two should do. What is your plan for a roosting bar? I am using a poop tray under the roosting bar to catch most of the poop, you may want to consider that. I am concerned about ventilation in my unit as well. I think that I prepared well for our cold winters, I insulated the floor and walls and will do something with the roof. Also, where are you planning to put food and water?

 

[CptCluck]

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I am in the process of building my coop now. It is 4x6'. It is based on the purina plans. Don't know if you need three nest boxes, one or two should do. What is your plan for a roosting bar? I am using a poop tray under the roosting bar to catch most of the poop, you may want to consider that. I am concerned about ventilation in my unit as well. I think that I prepared well for our cold winters, I insulated the floor and walls and will do something with the roof. Also, where are you planning to put food and water?

I like the insulation idea - I'd imagine at least 1" foam sheets would do wonders. It gets cold here but not much lower than 20 degrees F.

Food: I am planning on building an auto feeder which I will bolt onto the side - with a slot in the wall for access. It'll be airtight.

Water: That's trickier. I was considering putting a little auto waterer outside the door, but it would freeze in the winter a lot (like our cat bowl does.) So, I think it should be inside where the air would never get below freezing. I'm hoping to make a little valve-operated deal.

Roost - I was going to use a flat 2x4 like others describe, but hadn't thought of a poop catcher. I'd imagine a poop catcher would have to be removable for cleaning - like some sort of tray? Why not just let it all hit the sand or shavings on the floor?

I also have this idea for spare heat. My house has a radon pump - which is just a blower that takes air from the basement floor and blows it slowly and steadily out a 4" pipe. It comes out under my back deck. If I ran that pipe into the coop it would bring in continuous low-level heat...

 

[airmechreed]

As for the floor look online for glass board it's thin chemical resistant and won't get scratched and destroyed as easy as linoleum. A smooth 4x8 sheet runs about 43.00 but cleanup is easy the chicken droppings will slide right off

 

[Dooner]

I used 1 1/2 " rigid under the elevated wood floor and unfaced r13 for the walls. I will probably use 1" rgid on the ceiling. I heard they will eat it so you have to cover it. I am using shelf brackets mounted to the wall under the roosting bar with a vinyl covered shelf and then two boot trays to catch the poop.

 

[CptCluck]

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Could I just use a piece of glass? I happen to have an old sliding door that I don't know what to do with, it would be more than enough.

 

[whitehousechix]

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I LOVE THIS YOU ARE AMAZING

 

[calista]

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I LOVE THIS YOU ARE AMAZING

Thank you, thank you...

One nosy neighbor would be all he'd need to spread the word that Captain Cluck is a nut job who sits on his back deck and listens to SOUNDS of chickens because it reminds him of simpler days when he was a child on the farm. "Gosh, those sure are REALISTIC recordings!" (Wink, wink...)

Here's the Google link to genuine Australian Ground Parrots, another nice evasive answer to give to the neighbors who catch a glimpse of illegal hens:

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...y=125&sqi=2&page=1&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0