Need a help with a new coop

[Redstone]

Hey everybody!

I have been wanting to raise layers for a number of years (love fresh eggs) and now I finally have a place to do it. The problem is that my wife in all the excitement bought six chicks and I haven't built a coop yet!

There are a lot of great ideas on this site, but I was wondering what bedding I should use on the ground. It appears that sand or straw is the two choices. I'm in southern Kansas and we get some cold nights and hot days, rain one day and snow the next.

I also was wondering about size and warmth for the winter, do they need a heater?

But here is the big challenge. I want the run big enough for the chickens to help with bug control but safe from the coyotes. I heard Guineas can scare them away so I should put a few in with my layers. Is this true.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[gatorshark75]

Hey everybody!

I have been wanting to raise layers for a number of years (love fresh eggs) and now I finally have a place to do it. The problem is that my wife in all the excitement bought six chicks and I haven't built a coop yet!

There are a lot of great ideas on this site, but I was wondering what bedding I should use on the ground. It appears that sand or straw is the two choices. I'm in southern Kansas and we get some cold nights and hot days, rain one day and snow the next.

I also was wondering about size and warmth for the winter, do they need a heater?

But here is the big challenge. I want the run big enough for the chickens to help with bug control but safe from the coyotes. I heard Guineas can scare them away so I should put a few in with my layers. Is this true.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

ok so the best bedding for the coop is pine shavings stay away from hay or straw also for the first four weeks or so the are gonna have to be in a heated brooder and as far as the run goes you can make it as big as you want to and the guineas should NOT be in the pen with the chickens and if you want peace and quiet stay away from guineas they are loud and annoying build the run out of chicken wire 1 inch holes then wrap it with chainlink fence also make sure the run has a top on it it can be chicken wire but this will keep hawks and owls from getting to you chickens

 

[drumstick diva]

I've never heard of guineas scaring away predators but they are a great alarm system and make a screeching racket if anything upsets them. They couldn't stand up to coyotes, fox etc.

 

[gatorshark75]

I've never heard of guineas scaring away predators but they are a great alarm system and make a screeching racket if anything upsets them. They couldn't stand up to coyotes, fox etc.

yea they just scare away the neighbors

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

You might want to do some reading in our learning center here on BYC for lots of tips and hints on raising your new flock and keeping them safe....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

We are over run with coyotes here as well and I don't trust anything to protect my flock but a good safe enclosure. You probably have hawks as well. I don't let my girls free range unless I am out with them. There is a thing called the Peck And Play, a small nylon colapsable inclosure for chickens so you can get them out to range around. It can hold 4 or 5 birds fairly well. Do some reading in the learning center on keeping your flock safe.

As for bedding....SAND. Sand sand and more SAND! I worship the stuff! You can dig it out of dry river beds, arroyo's, get it from sand and gravel companies or even play box sand. It stays really dry, keeps the flies away, easy to clean, stops all smells, and the chickens love to scratch around in it. The natural sand will have tiny stones for the gizzard as well. Here is a great link to read all about sand...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/444759/got-sand-you-should

Great to have you aboard and enjoy all your new adventures!!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You might want to check out the Guinea forum, they are a great alarm system, but they don't do any better against predators than chickens. https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/45/guinea-fowl As mentioned by TwoCrows, a secure coop/run is your best defense against predators. Electric fencing and chicken safe dogs are two other useful options if you have the means, but even they won't do much against birds of prey, and check out the Predators forum for advice on dealing with coyotes. X3 on sand, especially in the run, if you can get it... in the coop shavings would be my next choice rather than straw since shavings are more absorbent and don't mat as much.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC. As far as bedding, that which works for you is what is best. I prefer ground corn cobs (too pricey) and have been using pelleted wood - horse bedding. Coyotes love to eat Guinea fowl.

 

[Redstone]

Thanks for all your input and I will give it more thought. But I am a bit concerned about winter. I'm thinking about putting the coop an run on the south side of a barn to cut down on wind from the north. But do I need an complete in closure? Will I need to add heat? The temperature can drop to -20 with average temps in the 30s.

 

[Kelsie2290]

You might want to post on the Coop/Run design forum for advice/tips on where to place your coop etc https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance you might also check out your state thread for what people in your area do to deal with winter

 

[gander007]