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K3UG said:
Fresh transplant to Chester County from California here. I built a coop in California and had 7 hens and plenty of eggs for my use, and friends too.. I'm hoping to do something similar at my new place here in Lower Oxford Township in the spring.

Anybody familiar with the ordinances in this area?

Thanks.
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Hi K3UG

I'm about fairly close to you and a Chester co person.

There are usually ordinances at a county level and then at a township level....sometimes the locals just copy the county regs....for my two cents just as important as the ordinances is to get friendly with your neighbors(if possible)....
 
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dheltzel said:
Nope, don't insulate. Even way up in Canada that is not needed. You aren't trying to keep the coop warm in winter. Sumhavmer heat is harder on chickens than the winter cold, and good cross ventilation or an outside run with shade, takes care of that. If you want to take precautions in winter, build the coop with the thought that you might want to put a tarp over part of it to block the really bad weather (blowing snow and freezing rain for ex). If you buy a tarp and have a way to easily put it up for the really bad days, then you will feel better and they will have that little bit of added protection. We all say ventilation is key, but let's face it - in last winter's blizzards and ice storms, were we really worried that there as not enough ventilation? Of course, the next day, when the sun comes out, you want to take it off and open things up. You'll be amazed at how in super cold, but sunny and still days, the birds will be acting perfectly normal. Well some don't care for the deep snow, but other than that.
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I agree with this opinion...............this last winter was a tough one and my birds did well.....................everything about ventilation as being very important in winter.

keep the inside of the coop dry in winter is key

keep some roof for outdoor options with snow on the roof.......

summer............hotness is problem so ventilation is so important here too..............

if the chickens are winter hardy breeds............and healthy..............they should do well.
Also if they have a smaller space to hang out together on a roost............they share their body warmth and dryness and don't get frostbite.

Birds with smaller combs and wattles ...........by their breed type are also less susceptible to frost bite.

Someone on this group did have a bird lose both feet due to frost bite..............so dry footing is very important.
 
dheltzel said:
It would be "niche" product, but I bet "nest warmers" would be a popular item. Maybe something like the "hot rocks" they use for lizards -- in fact, those might work a lot better than a pad. Just thinking out loud.
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Oh absolutely. And I totally think out loud all the time! lol That's usually what gets people thinking I'm lacking a few marbles. lol!! Actually, I was going to mention the hot rocks until I realized that an egg probably wouldn't sit on it very well and we'd probably have a few very uncomfortable hens, so, I kept that one to myself. Seriously speaking...I think you're right. We need to invent some "Nuzzly Nests"
wink.png
 
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Blarneyeggs said:
Thanks, I know you'd help if you could. Without getting into details, he has been dispatched, it was quick. I keep finding injuries on the other birds, a blue Wyandotte, she's blue coted now and I think ok, a BLRW seems to be in shock, she's been scrubbed, antibiotic ointment applied and quarantined.

There were kids camping in our woods last night, my poor Bella was busy barking her head off at them all night (and keeping me up), I'm sure at some point, Bella was barking at the fuss in the coop and I didn't pay attention as I thought she was barking at the trespassers.I should have called the state police last night. Such an unfortunate coincidence. We will be flushing the predators tonight. I've never shot anything before, but am willing to try! Wish us luck.

Welcome California Transplant to Oxford! I'm not far from you at all, but am not familiar with the ordinances there.
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Blarney, I am so sorry you had to go through this! Like was said before, wish I was closer to offer some help. I'm really hoping you get whatever was the culprit!
 
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Welcome to all the new people from here in cambria County! Hope you all enjoy this thread as much as I do. It's a wealth of info and a fountain of advice when you need it. Not to mention ask the enablers lol. Speaking of which, if any of you have need of a blue copper marans cockerel, I have an extra lol.

ErinsFlock said:
I know there are multiple threads on BYC but I would like to get opinions from fellow Pennsylvanians. Should we insulate the new coop ? I would hate to waste the valuable inside coop space if it is not ncessary.
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I wish I had asked this in the beginning but then again, my hubby was insistent on insulating our coop when we built it. We probably put WAY more into it than we needed to. Ours is fully insulated, floor, walls and all. Even the nest boxes are enclosed inside an insulated shed lol. We'll see how it all works out this winter (our first year with chickens)
 

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