New to this.......help

[ali_moran]

Hello All,


I am totally new to this. My husband and I are using our shed and attaching a fully enclosed run from a coop plan (The Garden Coop) we found online. If someone wouldn't mind, what do I need to include in the inside coop area for our chickens? They (2) will be arriving the first week of Sept. I know I need a water container, food container, perches, and nesting area....what else is there for inside. And what is the best kind of floor bedding? Can I use wood chips??

Thanks

Alison

 

[justtoni44]

Hi and

Do not use cedar chips.bad for chickens.
I use a 2x4 for roosts....wide side for them to roost on. Allows them to rest better without having to work at balance all night on a small diameter..........
Can't advise on bedding because we are big and do things a little different.
I have read that many folks with small coops put linolium on the floor for easy cleaning.........
Sounds like you are doing a great job planning.
I am sure you will recieve other input.
Good Luck and have fun............

 

[Chucken]

Don't use walnut chips, toxic to animals.

 

[the4heathernsmom]

Yep I agree they beat me to it!!!! It's addictive raising chickens ... be warned!!!!

 

[dianaross77]

I use pine pellets called equine fresh. They sell them at TSC.

 

[CarolynF]

Ditto on the 2x4 perch. You'll only need one nest box.

I use about 4" of sand in the run and 2"-3" of sand on top of well painted plywood in the coop. (3 coats of exterior latex over primed wood) I also use diatomaceous earth (DE) throughout to treat against mites, ticks, fleas, reduce smell, etc. Sand is SO easy to keep clean with a pet litter scoop and you don't have to keep buying more to replace what gets dirty.

I also chose to use water nipples inserted into pvc pipe to make sure my birds always have plenty of clean water without spillage (see my BYC page). Some people do that inside the coop, mine is outside, some people do both.

Food is outside the coop since they don't eat at night, and the more time they're outside the better. Keeps the coop cleaner, too.

Be sure you plan for lots of ventilation, preferably at the top of the walls.

Just keep reading here on BYC before you make all your decisions. I learned a lot after-the-fact.

Good Luck and Welcome!

 

[Nicole01]

I use pine chips inside the coop. Enjoy your new chicks.

 

[Noymira]

What's your location? Some of the advice you get will be bettered tailored knowing what kind of weather you're dealing with.

I agree with the pine shavings or pellets in the coop if you are in a northern climate and will see snow. I know lots of people in warmer climates like sand in the coop and run, since it dries out the droppings nicely and is easy to clean.

If you only have 2 chickens 1 nest box is plenty; a milk crate with straw, an old bucket or covered kitty litter box all work great.

I agree on the 2x4 roost, wide side for perching. Make the roost higher than the nesting box, they will roost at the highest point they can easily reach.

Keeping the water and feeder at chest/back height will help keep them from getting soiled.

LOTS of ventilation!

 

[ginger c.]

you sure you just want 2 chickens? 2's good but 4 is better!

as far as inside the coop we just move our 4 big girls out 2 nights ago, we have linolium on the floor, and used pine shavings, in just 2 days it's a huge mess we're getting sand this weekend, knew we should have done it from the start! after spending about 30 mins trying to scrape poop up off the floor where they had moved the shavings out of their way

it's just too gross.

 

[ali_moran]

Thanks all!!

I am in Tacoma WA. Mostly rain, but the run will be covered. I think I will use sand. I really want to get 4 chickens, but my husband really only wants to start with 2. And since we are brand new to this, I think he's gonna have to win this time . We'll see....