kylemsenger
Chirping
Hey, Everyone!
I'm Kyle!
I wanted to post and say that I am new to raising chickens in Cleveland, OH and like everything else in life, Google has been my best friend in answering questions and learning to set up my coop and run.
Backyardchickens.com forum has almost always been the number one search result no matter what question I have had ranging from size requirements, materials, to enrichments/toys and winterizing! At one point i even googled "are zip ties predator proof?" and there were the forums with an instant answer
I have 3 easter eggers hatching on 09.10.18 (just days away!) the brooder is set and ready to go and I have built a very secure 8x8x7ft run for my girls once they are ready for outside (COVERED IN HARDWARE CLOTH AND SKIRTED 2FT OUT WITH HARDWARE CLOTH) and already started installing as many levels of perches as possible.
My biggest concern right now is my coop. To save time and money I purchased a coop on Amazon with the intent it would be temporary. It's even smaller than I had imagined and I am concerned about it during the winter, the perches are only about 3 inches of the bottom and the total roosting space (excluding the nesting boxes) is about 30w x 30h and not much taller i am concerned about ventilation (there only seems to be a small ridge vent on the roof) but have time to figure it out and will be spending a lot of time in the forums. Also on the list to figure out for winter is enclosing the run...the top is hardware cloth and I'm not sure tarping it would support the weight of northern Ohio snow? as well as the best and least expensive solution to prevent water from freezing in a nipple waterer.
Heres to a new hobby and lots of research! lol
I'm Kyle!
I wanted to post and say that I am new to raising chickens in Cleveland, OH and like everything else in life, Google has been my best friend in answering questions and learning to set up my coop and run.
Backyardchickens.com forum has almost always been the number one search result no matter what question I have had ranging from size requirements, materials, to enrichments/toys and winterizing! At one point i even googled "are zip ties predator proof?" and there were the forums with an instant answer
I have 3 easter eggers hatching on 09.10.18 (just days away!) the brooder is set and ready to go and I have built a very secure 8x8x7ft run for my girls once they are ready for outside (COVERED IN HARDWARE CLOTH AND SKIRTED 2FT OUT WITH HARDWARE CLOTH) and already started installing as many levels of perches as possible.
My biggest concern right now is my coop. To save time and money I purchased a coop on Amazon with the intent it would be temporary. It's even smaller than I had imagined and I am concerned about it during the winter, the perches are only about 3 inches of the bottom and the total roosting space (excluding the nesting boxes) is about 30w x 30h and not much taller i am concerned about ventilation (there only seems to be a small ridge vent on the roof) but have time to figure it out and will be spending a lot of time in the forums. Also on the list to figure out for winter is enclosing the run...the top is hardware cloth and I'm not sure tarping it would support the weight of northern Ohio snow? as well as the best and least expensive solution to prevent water from freezing in a nipple waterer.
Heres to a new hobby and lots of research! lol