We were hoping to be able to put up a new larger coop before winter, but, financially, not going to happen, not until spring at least.
Now I find myself, (counted my chickens before they hatched) that I'm about 4 birds more than I should haven, at least through the winter.
I have 4 banties and 4 standards in my smaller coop. They are all young, the banties have just started laying, the standards should start laying in about 6 weeks.
I usually put 4 to 6 of my older hens in the smaller coop for the winter. Gives them a chance to rest and I don't light it unless the temps get really cold, then I use the light for a little extra heat.
My thought is to move the 4 banties into a new, smaller coop. We have fencing, even though it's only 4' tall, but it would give them some room to get out and about, and I would put at least a fenced roof over it. I'm thinking that that 4x4 coop, just high enough to make sure they have a roost without their heads hitting the ceiling, and maybe raised off the ground at least 2 ft.
I'm thinking of something on the order of a very large doghouse, with the roof lifting up. I would need to have some kind of door into the run, even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees, just in case something happens and I really need to get in there.
I'm also thinking, that instead of having to divide my smaller coop off, when I have chicks, that this could become my brooder house, once the new coop gets here in the spring. Part if tax return is already earmarked for this.
We are builder illiterate, if we can see a picture we can do it. Hubby can't envision what I am talking about, and I'm pretty useless when it comes to cutting wood. I might be able to use cardboard and duct tape to make what I want, so he can see it, then build it.
Any ideas out there, preferably with some pictures?!
Now I find myself, (counted my chickens before they hatched) that I'm about 4 birds more than I should haven, at least through the winter.
I have 4 banties and 4 standards in my smaller coop. They are all young, the banties have just started laying, the standards should start laying in about 6 weeks.
I usually put 4 to 6 of my older hens in the smaller coop for the winter. Gives them a chance to rest and I don't light it unless the temps get really cold, then I use the light for a little extra heat.
My thought is to move the 4 banties into a new, smaller coop. We have fencing, even though it's only 4' tall, but it would give them some room to get out and about, and I would put at least a fenced roof over it. I'm thinking that that 4x4 coop, just high enough to make sure they have a roost without their heads hitting the ceiling, and maybe raised off the ground at least 2 ft.
I'm thinking of something on the order of a very large doghouse, with the roof lifting up. I would need to have some kind of door into the run, even if I have to crawl on my hands and knees, just in case something happens and I really need to get in there.
I'm also thinking, that instead of having to divide my smaller coop off, when I have chicks, that this could become my brooder house, once the new coop gets here in the spring. Part if tax return is already earmarked for this.
We are builder illiterate, if we can see a picture we can do it. Hubby can't envision what I am talking about, and I'm pretty useless when it comes to cutting wood. I might be able to use cardboard and duct tape to make what I want, so he can see it, then build it.
Any ideas out there, preferably with some pictures?!