New coop help

[Nicole01]

I wouldn't put wood chips after the grass is gone. Keep the dirt. They love it and it's very easy to clean!

 

[Horseychicken]

Hey! Your coop is superrr cute so far! I have two grogeous isa browns in a coop a little smaller that that.. I do take them out and let them free range also. Youre doin great though! My chickens LOVE digging nd tearing apart the grass so I have to frequently move their coop. But theyre soo interesting and loving! Lol. I am just going to tell you, though, that my nest boxes are inside their coop. Their roosting bar isnt higher than theirnesting boxes, so they poop in the nesting boxes at night- thats where they sleep. So I suggest you keep a roost higher than their boxes inside the coop. I also just keep their food and water inside..incase it rains you know..but great job! P.s. if youre not using a deep litter method in your coop (especially in the winter) I would suggest using tool box liner on the inside coop floor. Light insulation, easy to clean and hose off. Good luck! This is my first year with chickens, also

 

[dandan111]

I hope my dogs and the new chickens all get along. I may be able to let them free range a little in my back yard unless they are flyers. Mostly they will be cooped.

 

[dandan111]

Tool box liner... I will keep that in mind.

 

[Nicole01]

I also cover my run with plastic and they use it all winter long. I do leave some wire exposed at the top for ventilation. The ground has never froze in there either and we often have subzero temps! I will have 15 this year, so having my run covered is important for space. I put roosts in my run as well. All my roosts are removable. 2x4's sitting in metal joists.

 

[dandan111]

Enclosing with plastic? I may try that,wonder if it would keep the water from freezing ?

 

[Nicole01]

Enclosing with plastic? I may try that,wonder if it would keep the water from freezing ?

No, I wish though. I have a radiator heater inside the coop that I keep on the lowest setting. My coop is 100% insulated due to the cold.

 

[LOLchick]

Leghorns tend too be flighty. Mine isn't. She only flew up on the fence once when she got spooked by something. My Barred rock is the worst. She fly over the 6 foot fence to visit the neighbor! I don't think Buff Orpington's can fly over a 3 foot fence.

 

[dandan111]

I think the leghorns are pretty birds. I will have to see how my first 3 all get along first. If all goes well I may start to look for a white egg layer.

 

[dandan111]

Ok, I brought home two hens. They are in the coop and not coming out. Should I leave them alone? We have two dogs so I'm not sure how that's going to go yet. Wish the chickens would come put so everyone meets. Should I make them come out?