New Coop in Missouri

[TomGallopavo]

I am building an permanent 8x8 coop to use in SW MO about 1.5 hours south of KC. The coop will have two doors leading to two yards of 60x30 m/l. I have read Gail Damerow's book on raising chickens (several times on the coop chapter). I would like any and all suggestions that pertain to my climate, specifically in regards to the coop design or anything else. I will try to automate as much as possible. I have easy access to power and water. I currently have fifty chicks (5 weeks), buff orppington, silver and gold wyandotte, and turkens (and one tiny unknown chick). Most of the cocks will be processed and I would like to end up with 10 or 12 total by fall for eggs and maybe 1 or 2 cocks left...we'll see. I have a Blue Heeler that will be living in close proximity to the chickens, his training is coming along well. I may free range them in my field of 12 acres while I am home during the summer....we'll see.

Thank you for reading and for your time.

Tom

 

[latebloomer]

in my opinion, this page has a lot of very helpful information: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

 

[krcote]

Have fun building and learning! I don't have a lot to add in regards to your climate, I live where it's cold

 

[latebloomer]

how cold are the winters where you are in MO?

 

[TomGallopavo]

It can get very cold, minus 15 F, but it rarely lasts for more than a few days...mean high and low temperatures 1895–2003.

City Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Springfield 42/22 48/26 58/35 68/44 76/53 85/62 90/67 90/66 81/57 71/46 56/35 46/26

 

[latebloomer]

pat has a cold weather coop page that might work for you too.

 

[70monte]

I live in SW MO and here are a few pictures of my coop.

In the one picuture of the underside of the roof, I put reflectix insulation to help combat some condensation I was getting with the metal roof. This past winter was the first one with this coop and it worked fine. Other than the underside of the roof, the coop is not insulated. I did use a heat lamp a few times this winter. The chickens came through the winter just fine. The rooster did get a little frostbite on his comb but not bad.

In the summer, I keep all windows and vents open and the chickens seem to do fine.

Wayne

 

[latebloomer]

Quote:
that looks like a great coop

is the insulation product you used a foam type, or is it more like the bubble wrap concept with a reflective face on it? it looks like you sealed the joints in the insulation, did you just use silicone?

 

[70monte]

The insulation used is a bubble type that comes in different size rolls. I bought mine from Home Depot. I did not seal the joints, but just used a staple gun to attach the insulation to the boards that support the roof. It really didn't do anything for the inside temp of the coop this winter as the inside temps were about the same as outside. I didn't have the insulation up last summer so I don't know if it will make any difference in inside temps. It will probably keep some of the heat of the roof from radiating into the coop but I'm not sure.

Wayne

 

[farmerinKC]

I am new to all this-I have five 3 week old golden comets-two ameracaunas and two buff orpingtons who are 2 weeks old. I live in Kansas City and my son is still working on the coop-so I am very interested in this thread. Lots of things to learn. 70monte that is a very nice coop-well planned. I am also worried about the winter weather-but my son has not put any kind of insulation in ours-so I am wondering how it will work out. Tom-good luck with yours-I would be interested in seeing pictures.

Connie