Patchgirl
In the Brooder
Hi there! This is my first time having chickens. I’d love to have feedback on my set-up. (Photos included)
12 chicks. They are 4 weeks old. Out in covered run during days/coop at night with brooder heater panel thing in case they’re cold.
Coop is only 5’x6’. But they will have tons of run space when they are big enough to defend themselves from the cats. Plus double that amount of run space behind the shop. I’d say about 2000 sq feet total. About 20’ of roost space. I just mix the poop into the pine shavings each day or so. Plan is to add more as needed until it needs changed after a few months or so.
Coop only has two 6” or 8” gable vents. Plus three windows. Is that enough if windows are open when the weather allows? Is it ok if window openings are just below roost height? Would you leave them open all winter minus storms?
Can’t tell from photos but it’s all enclosed under the coop with chicken wire. Windows have hardware cloth. I’m not worried about day predators getting into run as they’ll be out in large run area each day.
The small enclosed run space they are in now is just grass/packed dirt. It’s getting smelly. Any advice on that?
Any red flags?
Thanks so much! This forum is quickly becoming my new favorite resource.
12 chicks. They are 4 weeks old. Out in covered run during days/coop at night with brooder heater panel thing in case they’re cold.
Coop is only 5’x6’. But they will have tons of run space when they are big enough to defend themselves from the cats. Plus double that amount of run space behind the shop. I’d say about 2000 sq feet total. About 20’ of roost space. I just mix the poop into the pine shavings each day or so. Plan is to add more as needed until it needs changed after a few months or so.
Coop only has two 6” or 8” gable vents. Plus three windows. Is that enough if windows are open when the weather allows? Is it ok if window openings are just below roost height? Would you leave them open all winter minus storms?
Can’t tell from photos but it’s all enclosed under the coop with chicken wire. Windows have hardware cloth. I’m not worried about day predators getting into run as they’ll be out in large run area each day.
The small enclosed run space they are in now is just grass/packed dirt. It’s getting smelly. Any advice on that?
Any red flags?
Thanks so much! This forum is quickly becoming my new favorite resource.
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