New project

[whereswaldo]

Hey folks we are in construction of building our new enclosed coop.
This coop is going to have cement floor, with 3 sections in the building.
Whole building is 14 foot deep by 44 foot wide.
We are building it so there will be a 2 story coop, cool huh? Pictures coming soon. Please let me know your thoughts.
I was thinking on the back wall have 8 pens on the back wall. Each being 4 ft deep, 11 foot wide, by 3 floor tall as breeding pens for my cochins and games. The floor space will be available and left open for the layer flock, so the breeding pens will be off the ground. What you think? This is a pole coop, we already have the poles in-ground, sides and cement floor in place. Trying to make the design work for the breeding pens.
Donations are now being excepted..lmao...(Expensive project already spent almost 3 k on it.
I take checks.


j/k

 

[patandchickens]

Wow, cool, ambitious!

Just make sure you reeeeaallly want those breeder coops on the wall to be 4' deep (mock it up and see how it will work for you before you actually commit to major sawing and screwing)... that is a loooong distance to have to reach in when you need to grab something (e.g. a bird) from the back of the pen, especially since you will presumably need a 6 or 12" sill along the front edge to keep the bedding from falling out onto your layers' heads all the time. When you mock it up and try it out you might want to keep it at 4' but you might find that something like 3' would be more functional. Just a thought

Good luck and have fun,

Pat

 

[mullers3acers]

We are also going to build a new coop because our flock is growing every 6 months due to the fact we can't keep up with our egg orders. Too the floor in the old one is rotting out and we have rodunt problems and I think dh wishes to put a concrete floor in as well because it will be easier to clean and maintain. Plus where we are going to place the new coop so it will block the new neighbors view of the part of the property that we use the most.

 

[whereswaldo]

Well even at 3 Feet 11 foot wide will still be a pain, thats where my Designed in pen traps come into play, I have the nesting area(Normall like a 3ft by 4 ft area with a Door that i can pull a lever and it closes. and then i got em in my grasp from then on normally.
But yea, It was a well thought breeding pen, it just makes for a better coop, all pens will also hav 3 light bulbs each 100's.
When all done it will be able to house nearly 250 chickens is my guess.

 

[Brian]

Very exciting project!!! Keep up posted and show pics when you can. I can't wait to see how this turns out!
Brian

 

[whereswaldo]

Thanks brian.
Does anyone thin i should Insulate the walls?
Smooth or rough concrete?

 

[Steve]

Quote:
For ease of cleaning I would go with smooth concrete.

Seems to me a rough floor would be harder to clean and also a place for disease to start.

just my .02

 

[Scrambled Egg]

whereswaldo wrote:
Smooth or rough concrete?

For ease of cleaning I would go with smooth concrete.

Seems to me a rough floor would be harder to clean and also a place for disease to start.

just my .02

Sounds like reasonable 2 cents to me! Seems smooth be better on their feet too to prevent scratches and then possible infections....​

 

[speckledhen]

I agree with the smooth floors; you're just asking for bumblefoot with rough concrete. Believe me, that is not something you want to deal with, if you haven't already. Sounds like an ambitious project. I wish you luck with it. I also wish I could build a nice big bldg incorporating all the things I know now, LOL.

 

[whereswaldo]

The only problem is. its fairly smooth in some areas, but it was all "Leftover" concrete...well some of it. the rest We bought.
I could grind it down (I have a Concrete plain) but that would be alot of work. I myself have never had problems with bumblefoot. And i have raised alot of birds. maybe 1-2 ...but nothing seriouse. just cut it out with razor knife and stuff with garlic. worked great.
Thanks for all the advice. Just thought it would be cool to see everyones Opinions.
Now the Wire, I Normally use 1/2x1 for the floor wire. for them to walk on. somtimes 1/2x1/2 depends on breed. i was thinking pull out trays (Steel) with all the pens made from steel welded togather, i'm a welder...so it's easy and lasts 40 more years than wood.