New here!

[HappyHatch'en]

Welcome to BYC Forum, when you start your coop, we all enjoy seeing pic's of your progress.
BYC is where everyone one starts the race as an egg!
HappyHatch'en

 

[Judy]

My coop is a section of a larger lean-to. Two sides/walls are hardware cloth, and the two solid sides have about an 8" high ventilation opening all the way around, between wall and ceiling. In the heat of summer, I still run a fan. And you are further south than I am.
The old farmers around here often provided only a roof, one or two walls, and nest boxes, if that. It was not unusual to just let them roost in trees. Obviously, that does not address predators, but I think you need to give some more thought to shade and ample air flow. Note what DigitS' said. Chickens tolerate cold much better than heat; cold is really not an issue for them down here. They do like to get inside out of a heavy rain, though mine are usually outside when it is raining lightly, even in winter months.

 

[Sparkplug]

Hey yall, this is my login name now. Didnt like being known as GeorgiaPeach, go figure.... lol

Anyway, il make sure to take pics of the progress. It will probably only take 2 days to do.

I bought the lumber today, and will start on it tomarrow.

About the ventilation. First off, it wont see much sunlight where it will be for now, as its shaded by big pine and maple trees for the most part. When we move it though, itll probably be out in the sun more. We probably are going to do as you did Dawn and put a like ventilation opening the length of the coop itself... Hopefully with 2 vent openings being opposite each other, it will get a nice draft going through the coop. I might also use the leftover chicken wire to make a "screen" for one of the coop openings, to be able to leave the whole door open on really hot/humid days... If worse comes to worse we will put a fan or something....

Is there anything chickens can do themselves to cool off? (Ex. pig and mud, dogs and dirt holes/panting) im just curious...

 

[HappyHatch'en]

I like Sparkplug better....it could have a variety of definitions...all positive LOL

 

[Judy]

Don't know about chickens cooling themselves -- I'd guess that flapping wings helps -- maybe someone else will answer that one -- chicken wire doesn't stop coons --

 

[digitS']

Yes, chickens pant. That's not necessarily such a good sign. And, they dig holes. I don't know why they have such an aversion to water.

Shade will make a lot of difference during the heat of the day. Having the elevated coop should work wonders.

I almost didn't say anything tho'. This morning it was 5°F here and there's snow all over my yard

.

I'll bow out now and allow those in more southern climes answer questions about heat . . .

But, just 1 more thing: When are goin' meet the real GeorgiaPeach, anyway

?

Steve

 

[Happy Chicken Mama]

Whooooo! Welcome!! What a great guy to build a coop. She must be one happy gal!

Great coop design! I would make it tall enough to walk in because the dang buggars don't always decide to lay in the nest boxes that you so graciously & thoughtfully provided.

Think about crawling in there everyday... whew. All of that daily back bending I bet dosen't bother you... Oh I miss being young... sigh.

Also, if there is an emergency and one gets sick you want to be able to get to them.

Great Job & good luck with your chickens!

What one won't do for a silkie...

ps.. love the name spark... very manly compared to GA peach