Nesting boxes

[dweder]

I bought my door opener through "add-a-motor.com". I had to build the door and can tell you it was the best investment so far! I love the automatic door concept.

It sounds like you have plenty of vents already.

 

[Ridgerunner]

This thread has a lot of ideas about nesting boxes. You are limited only by your imagination.

Nesting Boxes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=41108

You can keep the food and water anywhere you want. Other than keeping it dry, which is important, some things to consider.

If you keep them locked in the coop for very long after they wake up, having food and water available is a good idea. Do you like to sleep in on weekends?

If you feed in the coop, you will very possibly attract mice. If you feed outside, you will also attract mice. Where do you want them?

Many people find that if they feed outside, they wind up feeding a lot of wild birds. I sure do when there is snow on the ground. Of course, the wild birds also go in the coop for food, but not nearly as many.

If you feed in the coop, they will spend more time in the coop. They poop a lot wherever they are. You might have more a of a poop management issue if you feed in the coop.

Good luck! Hope this helps.

 

[braddeeadams]

Love the bucket idea, I never would have thought of that!!!

 

[fishin-nole]

I put a baby pig feeder in my hen house too. No awning over it and they do not poo in it. I keep a pan of food outside under the house so they have food outside, it keeps them from scratching it out.

 

[Jayers]

Quote:
Second that!

 

[zazouse]

Quote:
Wow, you have a lot of chickens! What a great idea as well....How would he built the thing they sit on?

The shelf they are sitting on are built kinda like steps.
First shelf is 2.5 foot wider than the buckets.
The second shelf is 1.5 foot wdier than the buckets
The third shelf is 1 foot wider than the buckets.
We built these out of reclamed wood from a barn that took a hit from a hurricane and got the buckets for free.

 

[MountainChickenMama]

Wow, thank you everyone for all the replies...you have given me lots of things to think about...I am leaning towards putting the feed outside so the poop can just compost into the ground....

Just thought of another question:

Perches inside the shed for sleeping, how wide do they need to be and how many should be put in?

 

[dweder]

If you are in a cold climate, be sure to use 2 x 4"s, with the 4" side flat. They need to keep their feet under their bodies in the winter to stay warm. Otherwise, you can use 2x2's.

 

[MountainChickenMama]

Quote:
2 x 4"s it will be, thank you.....

 

[Myles]

Buckets. Great idea.