New Coop Inside Setup

[Creteloc]

As suggested on here, I upgraded to a new coop. The last one had a living space of 26.5”(L) x 23”(W) x 30”(H) for 3 chickens. After researching chicken coop designs and deciding that I need to learn wood-working skills, I decided on a resin shed from Lowes. So I converted a shed into a chicken coop that's 50"(L) x 28"(W) x 45"(H) for 2 chickens.

A couple of questions on it though. I textured PVC pipes with sandpaper to use as a roosting perch. However, it's about 8" off the floor, and I'm no longer sure the chickens will be able to get up that high once I clip their wings. Once they are older and my fence is finished in 2 weeks, they will be able to run the yard during the day, so I'll need to clip their wings, but that'll limit how high they can fly. Will they be able to get to a perch that's 8" off the floor?

Ditto on the nesting boxes. If I stack two 12x12x12 nesting boxes on top of each other, will they even be able to get to the top one if they want to? I was going to put them on ground level, side-by-side, but then there's no good place to put their water.

Last question, and maybe this isn't a question as much as a comment. They completely ignore their kitty litter box filled dust bath. They stand in it, but they prefer to dust-bathe in the dirt floor of their run. I don't know if I should just let that go or if there's even anything I can do to encourage them to use their dust bath.

Thanks This forum has been invaluable.

 

[aart]

Most birds can step or hop up 8" with out using wings.
What diameter pipe? May be too small and still slippery for comfort.

I would not clip wings until you're sure it's necessary,
it doesn't always take care of escape issues.
Best to have a covered run for keeping birds in and keeping preds out.

For 2 birds you only need 1 nest, and it should be lower than roost so they won't sleep and poop in nest. Floor location should be fine with 8" roost height.

They will dust bathe where they want...let it go, unless their bath area will freeze solid in winter.

Knowing your location can really help,
you can put it right in your profile so it always shows.

 

[Creteloc]

Oh, good call It's northern Utah, so it's about to freeze solid.

 

[Creteloc]

Ok, fixed.

The chickens both slept on the perch last night. The funny thing is the shed has a lifting top so it's way easy to peek in on the chickens and not wake them up. They were sound asleep on their new digs last night. So one nesting box for 2 chickens?? How many can share one? Just curious.

I'll have to re-think giving the chickens free run of the yard for a couple hours a day. Right now, their run is too small. It's only 75" x 40".

 

[rosemarythyme]

You only need 1 nest box per 4 to 5 chickens.

I personally would not use kitty litter in a dust bath or in a chicken coop/run in general. What ingredients are in it? Generally dust baths contain some combo of dirt, wood ash, peat moss, sand.

 

[aart]

You only need 1 nest box per 4 to 5 chickens.

I personally would not use kitty litter in a dust bath or in a chicken coop/run in general. What ingredients are in it? Generally dust baths contain some combo of dirt, wood ash, peat moss, sand.

I think they are using a kitty litter box, not kitty litter itself.....
.....but good reminder, cause ya never know.

 

[Creteloc]

Yeah, it's a kitty litter box with store purchased chicken dust bath in it.

 

[aart]

store purchased chicken dust bath

What is this product...got a link?
Just about any old dirt will do.
I reserve some dirt out of their favorite dusting area to put in a tray in the coop during winter in case the ground totally locks up.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My apologies, I totally misread that, about kitty litter vs a BOX. Good catch aart!

 

[Creteloc]

What is this product...got a link?
Just about any old dirt will do.
I reserve some dirt out of their favorite dusting area to put in a tray in the coop during winter in case the ground totally locks up.

https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Dust...8&qid=1509545598&sr=8-2&keywords=chicken+dust

I get it at the local IFA, but it's the same stuff as this.