Need advice. Breeder coop divider

[LoneCowboy]

Ok, I've got my breeder coop done to the point of dividing the space to make 2 coops. I want it to be really thin, so they can share heat and save space. But, I don't want them to be able to get across to each other. So here are my thoughts and tell me why this will or won't work. I want to put an 8" wall up at the bottom, to keep them on their side and to keep shavings etc from going back and forth. Then I want to take heavy denim materal and go up about 4+ feet above the 8" wall. staple that down all around, and make a door in it will velcro. I'd like to have a wall that isn't permanent, so I can leave it down until they are old enough to breed, and so that some day, I can make it into just a regular coop if I want too.

So, questions: Will Orpingtons try to get over the fabric wall that's about 4.5 feet tall? Will they try to roost on top of it?
Will it be strong enough? Do you even think this will work?

 

[LoneCowboy]

Bump I said brooder at first, I meant breeder. Maybe that would help this post make sense

 

[sara]

I don't know if the orps would go over it since they are heavier. In my 8x8 coop, I put a sheet of plywood down the center dividing it in half, then chicken wire up almost to the peak, and my araucanas roosted on top of the wire, so i had to go the rest of the way with chicken wire and staple it to the roof. The only think I wish I had done different was to cut the plywood in half and use more chicken wire so light would be equal on both sides. Now I need DH to put a window on the other side of the coop. I don't know if any of that helps you.

 

[Poison Ivy]

I've seen the fabric used like that with silkies. But I think any other birds might try to fly over. Maybe you could frame a door way with somthing light like 1x2's and use screws to attach it to the coop. That way later on you can take it down if you want. I made smaller doors like that so I could have a brooder area in my main coop.

 

[countryentertainment]

If you can us canvas it would clean better than denim, good fabric stores will have it. Canvas will not unravel and give them threads to choke on like denim will.Our orpingtons can jump and fly so if you want to keep them separate you probably will have to go all the way up to the ceiling. Even if they can't get up there as adults they will be able to as young ones. A light colored canvas will not block the light so much as a dark color. You could use some type of netting on the top or as a section of the wall to let heat pass easier.

 

[luvzmybabz]

I have a seperate breeder/teen coop in the flock coop it is framed out with 2X4s then chicken wire it has a screen door likt ethe old wooden ones that when I want them all together I just open it all the way or unscrew the hinges. This way the heat light etc and they also are in view of each other I think this is going to help with integration as I have let them all (laying flock and 13,13 week old chicks)out together a handful of times and there has been no trouble yet of course I am always in the run with them when this happens.

 

[LoneCowboy]

I was afraid to have them see each other since there will be a roo in each pen. I don't want them fussing and kicking at each other.

I plan on finishing the edges so there won't be any string for them to choke on. It's actually some material I got at Walmart for $1 a yard. It's a lot heavier than denim so I'm hoping it will work. I reality, I haven't come up with any plan I like much. I'd like to figure out how they can share a waterer without knowing it.

I'm trying to save as much floor space for them as possible.

 

[patandchickens]

If it were me I think I'd look for a scrap piece of plywood or fake panelling or some such thing. Tall enough to keep 'em from seeing each other, and the width of the coop. Drill a hole in each corner. Use something like fence wire or baler twine, or whatever, to tie it to the coop frame by the corners. This will be more secure than it might sound

To prevent anyone flying over it or trying to sit on top of that solid divider, any sort of mesh-type thing could be hung curtain-wise over top of the plywood divider, attached to the tops of the coop walls. Possibilities would include garden trellis netting, fiberglas screen like you use for windowscreens, chickenwire scraps, etc.

Good luck,

Pat