New to backyard chickens! I need help!

[Ponypoor]

Wow amazing! This is so helpful. I have a question about the perch, maybe you'd be able to answer. As my coop is relatively small, i'm not sure how to build this? how many "levels" do they need? how much space in between the levels? does it need to go all the way to the floor of the coop? is it like a ladder, do they fly there or need to climb? sorry this is maybe obvious but i know nothing thank you again!

Keep the roosts low - 2' is high enough, larger breeds can get leg injuries if they are flying from high roosts (and trust me they will fly up as high as they can get - brats!). Oh unless your coop is low then a foot is high enough (sorry getting carried away here!).

 

[Ponypoor]

Re Stall Dry

I did not know this was stocked in accessible Canadian retail locations; price range, $21 @ Princess Auto and up.

They are different products, this summary is useful: https://www.perplexity.ai/search/stall-dry-vs-sweet-pdz-tyxA56daRl680N7rHAoZwQ

I have not used Stall Dry; 6 years using Sweet PDZ, this is a dusty product particularly as one is sifting it to remove waste. USE A DUST MASK!!!!

I like the stall dry as I have a mare that is a beast - I swear she holds her urine all day, then comes into the stall and just floods it! And she is a messy horse, poops and then mashes it into her bedding - oh the chooks love it! All that lovely icky horse poop to pick through for bits of grain and any bugs crawling in it - oooo yummy!

The Stall Dry does a great job of 'drying up' the stall bedding. I think that it's very expensive to use with the horses, but for poultry it should be not too bad. Since I clean my roosting ledges daily and refresh shavings daily I don't use stall dry there, but for one who doesn't it would be great at 'keeping moisture' down.

What's the price on the PDZ you get? just curious... I am too far to the border to get it but just wondering.

 

[Ponypoor]

You have got some good advice already.
I too prioritize no/low maintenance. I am in year 5 or 6 and keep thinking I should clean out the coop or run and keep not getting round to it. Mind you, I do have lots of space so that helps, but mainly I just do deep litter/bedding on bare earth.
My bedding is mainly a mixture of free stuff like leaves, sometimes shredded paper, pine straw at the right time of year. I use coarse pine shavings in the nest boxes and the chickens often tip them out onto the floor of the coop so that gets mixed in.
This winter we had one particularly brutally cold spell (I am in a slightly milder climate than you and with less snow - but similar) and I got a couple of bags of chopped straw and it made the coop so cozy I may repeat that next winter.
Like others I would cover the run so they have a bit of extra space even when it is raining or snowing.

I have two things to add:
- First, you don't have to get perfect the first time - I am always tinkering and adapting stuff based on learning of how my set up works
- Second, chickens will always be happy with more space. I hear you cannot free range, but I would plan on at some point creating a run extension. You could start with something like dog pen panels and just let them out in that area when you are around. They will be so happy and you and the kids will love sitting out with them while they enjoy fresh grass. I eventually settled on an electric fence. It doesn't protect them from aerial predators, but I have been planting shrubs and dumping old garden furniture in that area so they have some places to hide. They only go out in it when I am home, but they love it so much it warms my heart. On a day like today - cold, wet, miserable - I probably won't let them out in that area and they will be fine in their coop and covered run.

Oh yes you hit the nail on the head RC - it doesn't have to perfect the first time around.

Part of the fun is planning, tinkering and fiddling, seeing what works for you, and your chooks. And RC is absolutely correctly you will enjoy just sitting and watching them. I know you say you can't free range, but maybe you can let them roam your yard while you're around to watch them. Soooo much enjoyment just sitting and watching - soothing.

Now if only mother nature would cooperate in the weather department so we can all sit out and relax!

 

[Ponypoor]

you know, I said to myself, why wait? Rharrison needs some advice, and that other stuff can go jump for a minute and when it get's there, it can jump again haha

You're asking exactly the right questions, and there's nothing obvious about it, btw, coop design can make or break a flock.

So we're just about ready to build the gals a proper roosting spot. Let’s walk it, step by step and gentle-like:

The Million Dollar Question: What is a Perch?

It’s their bed, plain and simple. Some chickens take to straw and ground fine, but it seems more Chickens don’t like sleeping on the ground, they feel more vunerable (it's information written into their genes - eat what I need, drink, be safe, and love humans), so they need a raised perch to feel safe, also cool, and off the dirt.

How High Should It Be?

*One level is often enough in small coops. You can get fancy and kep adding layers to it such as my Aunt and the clan on that side of the family. But they are eccentric. You can be too if you want, but usually one level will do:

1. Make it about 12 to 18 inches off the ground - they’ll fly-hop up there just fine.

2. If you go for a second level, make sure it’s at least it's that height up again, so 12 to 15 inches higher than the first, and not directly over the one below (so droppings don’t rain down on the crew living on the first floor).

Ladder Style or Flat Bar?​

You can do a ladder-style roost, but space the “rungs” at least 12 inches apart vertically.

If it’s a single level, a straight bar across the coop works beautifully.

How Much Space Per Bird?​

**Give at least 10–12 inches of perch length per hen.
**For 5 hens, a 4 to 5 foot long perch is **golden**.

What Should the Perch Be Made Of?​

1. Use a 2x4 laid flat (wide side up). That way their feet stay warm and flat at night, not curled like on a round broomstick. Some chickens prefer to grip around on a bar, (we call that quality passerine) but it's few in my experience. But never hurts to have a grippy bar for the quirk chickens who like it.

2. Sand or round edges just a bit, but no need to make it circular.

Does It Need to Go to the Floor?​

No, it does not, just keep it higher than the nest boxes, or else they’ll sleep in the nest (and then poop in 'em too). And no need to go too high - 18–24 inches off the coop floor is perfect unless you're building up multiple levels.

TIPS:

***No perches over food, water, or nests.
** No sharp corners or skinny wire.
* Make it easy to clean, because chicken butts don’t lie!

END OF STORY:

If the chickens seem all content, well done! If they side-eye you, some adjustments may be necessary!

The laugh is for the 'side-eye' comment - very true, they will let you know!