New Coop Advice Please!

[sherrysusan]

Howdy BYC Alumni ~

A couple guys are building me an 8 x 10 coop w/ a 10 x 16 run - it will have a couple windows w/ screens and a couple storm windows that will simply provide light (don't open - were from a mistake, but I kept them for this project)

Coop will be done by end of week, and I can move my flock in - Yippie! But I need some feedback - should I put straw on the floor or pine shavings? I've heard shavings are easier to clean out - and that straw freezes up in the winter (I live up north)

Also any economical ideas on nesting boxes? And has anyone had experience w/ a nesting colony? I've heard that chickens are more productive in a colony b/c they feel safer.

From another thread - I read that someone hung their feeder and water from chains to keep feed from being wasted and kept the water cleaner - other thoughts?

For their roosts - is it okay to use some left over 2 x 4s?

Any/all ideas, suggestions, recommendations are greatly appreciated - will post pics as soon as it's complete. I'm painting it Ranch Brown w/ Allis Chalmers Orange trim - to match my other shed (looks very nice)

Thank you in advance folks! My gals will finally be SAFE - have waited so long for this!

Sincerely,
sherry

 

[foreverlearning]

2x4's are fine. Because you are from the north I suggest you look into the deep litter method. The last thing you want to do is have to clean out a coop when there is 6' of snow on the ground. Also, the deep litter method provides a little heat because it is a compost pile in the coop. Hanging water may not be the best option for you in the winter (freeze) but is fine for summer. Go to your state thread for the best options on keeping water in the winter (I'm from the south). Don't worry so much, we all learn as we go what works best for us and it is not always what is best for another.

 

[sherrysusan]

Okay, yes, am learning as I go, what is the "deep litter method" . . . inquiring minds need to know

 

[1000yearoldeggs]

I use chain for my feeder. And yes, I can't recommend having your waterer on a chain, unless you're using poultry cups or nipples. Those plastic waterers need to be level or they'll spill all over the place. (This is from experience)

I just went through my first winter without a heated waterer, and it wasn't very fun. I had to go out twice a day with bowls in below freezing weather (we had a few days in the negatives!) I just bought some poultry cups and they're working great right now, but I'm still not sure what to do for winter. I don't have electricity in or near the coop. But, I did want to mention the cups to you since they keep water clean and they still get plenty to drink.

 

[foreverlearning]

Okay, yes, am learning as I go, what is the "deep litter method" . . . inquiring minds need to know

Start with 4" of bedding, add as needed, and throw some dry treats in the area near the roost so the chickens turn it for you. It is a compost pile and ready for the garden if you do once a year cleanout. Don't use stall dry or de or you will mess up the process. Sometimes you get earth worms in there and that is ok, it is entertainment in the winter and good food for the chickens. It shouldn't smell bad if it gets turned by the chickens. BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) is a favorite of many deep litter people as a treat to get them to turn the litter. This is a very healthy method done properly.

 

[sherrysusan]

Ok, thanks for the tips. I have a metal waterer - and I didn't even think about winter! I do have a heater plate for the cold, so the chain method would not work for winter. I'll just set it on the heater plate, w/o it being plugged in for summer, to keep it up a little so water stays cleaner . . . so many things to consider!

 

[sherrysusan]

Gees I was thinking of cleaning it out once a week. I'll have to read up on this method and go from there - thank you,

 

[jetdog]

I'm in the north east and use shavings year round, with poop board under the roost the coop stays 10x cleaner I've had the shavings in for about 3 months with no smell, I clean the poop board off every other day by sifting the pdz, my waterer is horizontal nipples and in winter I put a stock tank heater and it doesn't freeze, no drips no mess in the coop.

 

[sherrysusan]

Hi,

Curious, what is poop board?

sherry

 

[jetdog]

It's basically a tray under the roost that is filled with sweet pdz, a horse stall refresher, when they poop at night which is when they do the most, I use a cat litter scoop to sift the poop out every other day, the pdz absorbes the ammonia smell, tractor supply sells it for around $8 a 25# bag.