New Coop from Ebay, need tips for improving.

[misse2v]

Hello! I'm Missy.

My little family and I are new to chicken keeping and just bought our first coop. Right now our 3 girls (1 Brahma, 1 Cochin, and 1 Easter Egger) are in a cage in the garage. They are about 7 weeks now, and ready to move out to their coop.

Here is the coop we purchased: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-81x23x5...ltDomain_0&hash=item43ad40c8f6#ht_1966wt_1396

We are totally new to this, so I have some questions. My husband built it yesterday, but it looks like there's lots of room for improvement.

We live in Southern California in a pretty mild climate, but it doesn't seem like this coop is very weather-proofed. Should we be concerned? It looks like there will be rain this week, so should wait wait to move them outside?

We aren't sure of the best place for the hanging feeder and waterer either. The plan as of now is to hang them from a pole in the covered run area, since there isn't much room in the hen house, and there isn't a place to hang a hook other than a pole. Now we're concerned they will roost above their food/water and contaminate it. The pole wouldn't have much room above it however.

We were also confused about whether (and where) we should use pine shavings under the roost if there is a slide-out droppings tray.

Finally, any tips on the best way to bury wire netting around the coop to keep predators out?

Sorry so many disorganized questions lol! I'd love to hear your ideas/suggestions!

 

[GSDBESTK9]

Hello! I'm new here too but I just recently learned from people on here that the best thing to use for your slide-out tray is Sweet PDZ. You can find it at your local Tractor Supply store.

For your waterer and feeder I would put them on blocks right underneath the living are so they don't get wet if it rains.

 

[misse2v]

Thank you for the response! I had never heard of that product, so I will definitely look into it. I'm wondering if putting the food and water on blocks is the best idea too. They just always knock them over!

 

[Henny Penny 24]

Hi,

I am new to keeping chickens too. I have a very similar coop and have hung the feeder and waterer from a pole as my girls spend their time scratching dirt and poo into the feeder and waterer or just knocking them over! Most days I was getting in from work to find that their water had spilt and didn't like the idea of them not having access to clean feed and water.

Hope this helps

 

[misse2v]

Have you had any problems with them roosting over their food and water?

 

[Henny Penny 24]

The pole on mine is too near the roof so there isn't space to. But I have also put another pole in for them to roost on.

 

[Henny Penny 24]

I should have said that by hanging them it gives a little more space for roaming.

 

[misse2v]

Thank you for that info! I think I will do the same

 

[Habibs Hens]

that coop is pretty much same as mine

i have made extensive modification to mine

i raised the hight of sleeping area to 1.7metres and let them perch there with ability to stand up straght

the run part i raised to 1.5 meters and added a second floor with more nest boxes and sleeping area with doors in front

and i also from scratch make a attcable run 3 meter long by 2meter wide by 1meter high

i say 30 hens no probs in my one

 

[misse2v]

Wow! Thanks for all of the great ideas. I am particularly interested in what you said about adding height to the sleeping area. I was surprised to find that the included "perch" isn't even raised off the floor of the sleeping area. It's just set right on top of it basically. I only have 3 hens so I'm not too worried about room, but I do wonder if they'll be disappointed with the roosting option