- May 11, 2010
- 14
- 0
- 22
Please check out our new coop-- an anniversary gift from my husband. Our 6 week old chicks seem right at home. It really was fun to watch them checkin' it all out. We still need to decide on how/where to put the nesting boxes. We have just four chicks so I may only do one, maybe two. Any advice? I hope this adequately protects them from predators with the hardware cloth apron that goes along the ground and up 3ft around the perimeter.
Note: since these photos were taken, we've added little 1 x 2 strips of wood up the ramp, as our girls were slipping on the way down. I also learned from a BYC member, that hardware cloth also works well for traction, and requires less maintenance. Just fyi...
Additionally, each side door has again, hardware cloth for ventilation. We kept each wood panel after cutting the hole for the side doors, and attach them with latches at night for now, because I was concerned about wind gusting through there. Not sure if there's any need for concern, but just going with my gut on that one.
Two questions...
1) Is hardware cloth for the floor inside the coop that sits off the ground okay by itself? Does it also need litter or can I simply put litter in the nesting boxes once they are completed? We are in Central Texas so it is very warm, but it does freeze occasionally so I worry about what I'll do with all that open air coming through the wire floor! I've read about the use of linoleum on coop floors. Maybe I should throw that down to insulate when we actually get a cold snap. hmmm....
2) I'm confused about nesting boxes. I understand they need to be about 12 x14 or so, but can they be as simple as woven baskets or a dish pan? How necessary is it to have a perch or something so they can look and see before choosing a nesting box?
This project was done with nothing more than a napkin sketch--a very general plan for attack with some changes along the way but we're pretty excited with the result! Still, I would so appreciate a look-see from the BYC community. This is my second attempt to upload, but crossing my fingers that you can see my photos this time. Such a newbie. LOL!!
Thanks for any help!
Note: since these photos were taken, we've added little 1 x 2 strips of wood up the ramp, as our girls were slipping on the way down. I also learned from a BYC member, that hardware cloth also works well for traction, and requires less maintenance. Just fyi...
Additionally, each side door has again, hardware cloth for ventilation. We kept each wood panel after cutting the hole for the side doors, and attach them with latches at night for now, because I was concerned about wind gusting through there. Not sure if there's any need for concern, but just going with my gut on that one.
Two questions...
1) Is hardware cloth for the floor inside the coop that sits off the ground okay by itself? Does it also need litter or can I simply put litter in the nesting boxes once they are completed? We are in Central Texas so it is very warm, but it does freeze occasionally so I worry about what I'll do with all that open air coming through the wire floor! I've read about the use of linoleum on coop floors. Maybe I should throw that down to insulate when we actually get a cold snap. hmmm....
2) I'm confused about nesting boxes. I understand they need to be about 12 x14 or so, but can they be as simple as woven baskets or a dish pan? How necessary is it to have a perch or something so they can look and see before choosing a nesting box?
This project was done with nothing more than a napkin sketch--a very general plan for attack with some changes along the way but we're pretty excited with the result! Still, I would so appreciate a look-see from the BYC community. This is my second attempt to upload, but crossing my fingers that you can see my photos this time. Such a newbie. LOL!!
Thanks for any help!
