Nevadans?

[aubreynoramarie]

ONLY TWO WEEKS OLD? holy cow. Hahaha. Oops. I cannot keep track of time.

Well you get back to me in two weeks, ya hear???

 

[chicharomirinda]

Need some opinions on coop design:
Should I insulate my coop? thinking about both heat and cold. I'm in Stead at just over 5000 feet.

I know ventilation is very important and may have more questions about that later.

Thanks! Elizabeth

 

[gaited horse]

Quote:
I'm doing alright.
I might be getting a job at a vet in Reno. Other than that i'm not going to look for work anywhere but out here.
I thought putting all that ona resume would work but I guess it didn't. Maybe the Man Upstairs has a better job in mind for me.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Quote:
I never insulated the coop down in Reno (at 4,600') but I plan to insulate in Red Rock mainly because of the size of coop I want. A bigger coop makes it harder for the chickens to keep warm. Once I have a lot of birds out there it won't be such a big deal but it will need insulation for awhile and since we're putting it in we will just leave it in. It really depends on your coop and how many chickens you will be putting in there. Well actually it's a little more complicated since some birds are more prone to frostbite than others. Large combed birds and lightly feathered or smaller birds are also at more risk for frostbite.
And yes, ventilation is vital! Birds put off a lot of humidity and the buildup of humidity coupled with the falling temps in winter can cause ice to form on exposed areas, like combs (and feet if the roost is not wide enough). During the hot months you can just leave windows open (just be sure to put hardware cloth over them to protect your peeps from predators) but during winter, humidity can be a real problem in a tightly closed up coop.

 

[NevadaRon]

Quote:
I don't think insulation is that important if your coop is properly sized for the number of birds you have and if you are raising cold hardy breeds.

Hey Sunny congrats on your new place!

How big is the lot? Need any Black Ameraucanas?

 

[SunnyDawn]

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I don't think insulation is that important if your coop is properly sized for the number of birds you have and if you are raising cold hardy breeds.

Hey Sunny congrats on your new place!

How big is the lot? Need any Black Ameraucanas?

10 acres. And thanks but I am gonna concentrate on the FBCMs for now. Have you been hatching the Blacks? They do really well on Craigs list.

 

[NevadaRon]

10 acres! Sweeeet!

I haven't hatched any yet. I don't have an incubator though I suppose I could let nature take it's course. One of the hens has gone broody - she is so funny, she gives me the stink eye whenever I come in to collect eggs and pecks at my hand if I try to pet her.

BTW there is another member here, White Mountains Ranch, who swears by English Mastiffs and Anatolian Shepherds for flock protectors. They have 40 acres down by Bishop way out in the sticks so predators are a problem. I think they are planning on cross breeding them (or maybe they already are, I forget). They have some pictures on their website and they are really cool looking dogs!

 

[aubreynoramarie]

TEN ACRES!

. mmmmaaaAAARRRKKKKK!!!!!!

 

[SunnyDawn]

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[SunnyDawn]

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Oh she sounds like she would be a great momma! Very protective. You should definitely let her keep a clutch! Just mark them so you know which ones need to be collected.