New project coop

[Brittanymorgan1986]

I got permission to use this barn for chickens. Been working on it a few weeks. It's 18x20 or pretty close to it. How many chickens would live comfortably in there also keeping the smell down. I planned to fill it with wood chips not the bagged stuff like real wood chips from the tree trimmers. They will permanently be inside this barn there is no electricity and its out in the middle of the woods it feels really cool from the shade too. I can't free range. This is also not my property so I won't be there other then to maintain it so I can't watch for predators but it's only 5 mins away from my house I live in town and can't have chickens here so this was just a lucky break for me. The owners said if I fix it up I can use it and intern they want some eggs. I would like 6-10 chickens.

 

[Aunt Tat]

I am NO expert, but from what' I've read on this BYC and depending on the area in which you live (and permission from the owner) you may want to consider an Open Air Coop. That way, the laidies can get out and get some sunshine/fresh air, the smell won't be so bad and you can Deep Litter method (which cuts down cleaning time and fun things for the Laidies to do while scratching the dirt/mulch AND BONUS...it creates compost!!!

Who knows, perhaps the owner might even help collect eggs.

First and foremost is predator proofing, then ventilation (actually they're BOTH #1 to consider)

2nd most important is spacing for 10 chickens, you should 20' for each chicken for run space. Your entire space is 360 sq. ft. so your laidies will be quite happy.

There is LOTS of room for stumps, bridges, perches, hide 'n seek spots, cool spots etc.

So if you haven't looked at Open Air Coop (and with your neighbor's permission) take a look at some of them. You might be surprised.

If that won't work, make sure the girls can get out for some chicken like behavior, sunshine and fresh air.

 

[Brittanymorgan1986]

I am NO expert, but from what' I've read on this BYC and depending on the area in which you live (and permission from the owner) you may want to consider an Open Air Coop. That way, the laidies can get out and get some sunshine/fresh air, the smell won't be so bad and you can Deep Litter method (which cuts down cleaning time and fun things for the Laidies to do while scratching the dirt/mulch AND BONUS...it creates compost!!!

Who knows, perhaps the owner might even help collect eggs.

First and foremost is predator proofing, then ventilation (actually they're BOTH #1 to consider)

2nd most important is spacing for 10 chickens, you should 20' for each chicken for run space. Your entire space is 360 sq. ft. so your laidies will be quite happy.

There is LOTS of room for stumps, bridges, perches, hide 'n seek spots, cool spots etc.

So if you haven't looked at Open Air Coop (and with your neighbor's permission) take a look at some of them. You might be surprised.

If that won't work, make sure the girls can get out for some chicken like behavior, sunshine and fresh air.

I would love to have an outdoor area but the owner don't want that they only want them inside I do plan to put some roost and some chicken toys inside. I thought about some hanging toys like wire basket I can fill with plants to munch on. The property owners will be feeding them veggie scraps too. I also thought about a fly larvae hanging bucket too. I plan to turn the mulch every few days or so. There is also a rain barrel system going up so they always have water. The barrel will be inside and going to try to attach drinking cups to the bottom. Lot of ideas going on in my head I just don't want them to be crowded.

 

[aart]

keeping the smell down.

I also thought about a fly larvae hanging bucket too.

Those two things^^^^ do not go together.

There is also a rain barrel system going up so they always have water. The barrel will be inside and going to try to attach drinking cups to the bottom.

Does it freeze where you live?


Don't like the idea of birds being inside 24/7/365.
You're going to need a ton of ventilation and cover it all with 1/2" hardware cloth.
The mesh(2x4?) you show on what I assume is a new opening will not keep out rodents or weasels.

 

[Brittanymorgan1986]

Those two things^^^^ do not go together.



Does it freeze where you live?


Don't like the idea of birds being inside 24/7/365.
You're going to need a ton of ventilation and cover it all with 1/2" hardware cloth.
The mesh(2x4?) you show on what I assume is a new opening will not keep out rodents or weasels.

The whole front side was open when I started I used old barn wood to kinda keep it all matching the only rodents we have problems with around here are mice. I have not ever had a weasel problem the main predator is raccoon I have had a lot of problems with them. I have sheet metal around the bottom that is about 2ft underground and back filled. As for the fly bucket I was told if you put straw in the bucket and hang it high you can't smell it. But idk lol. The door will not be a solid door it will be a frame and covered in wire like you see in the photo. Yes It does freeze here that is the only issue I have yet to find a solution to. But it's been weighing on me for sure.

 

[aart]

I have not ever had a weasel problem

But have you had chickens here before?

 

[Brittanymorgan1986]

Not this property but I grew up on a farm in the area my grandparents and have not seen them. I had 4 hens at my old house that was about 2 miles from this place didn't ever see any I did however lose some to raccoons

 

[Aunt Tat]

I would love to have an outdoor area but the owner don't want that they only want them inside I do plan to put some roost and some chicken toys inside. I thought about some hanging toys like wire basket I can fill with plants to munch on. The property owners will be feeding them veggie scraps too. I also thought about a fly larvae hanging bucket too. I plan to turn the mulch every few days or so. There is also a rain barrel system going up so they always have water. The barrel will be inside and going to try to attach drinking cups to the bottom. Lot of ideas going on in my head I just don't want them to be crowded.

Anyway you can remove part of the roof and replace with hardware cloth so they can get some sunshine?

 

[Brittanymorgan1986]

Anyway you can remove part of the roof and replace with hardware cloth so they can get some sunshine?

I was thinking about cutting windows not sure if they will let me tho

 

[Aunt Tat]

I hope your neighbor can cut you some slack. They won't get many eggs if the girls aren't happy.
Perhaps someone with more experience on this site can give you good ideas to get your neighbor to be more creative...for the good of the girls, dontcha know