Pic of Coop To Be

[homechick]

I put up a post at Craigslist and Freecycle asking for a used shed, large doghouse, or anything that I could conver to a coop. I got a response and although it needs work I am super excited! I want to get busy on it now but a storm hit and it's too dark to work.

. But I'll just work on the plans. I think it will be okay for 4 bantums and 1 standard till summer. Besides the obvious repairs, I'm going to raise it maybe 2 feet on stilts, make a larger window (on the south side) with a door to close in the window.. of course I need to cover any hole with wire and I also need to make a door. The roof was rotted and covered in heavy, broken shingles so I'm going to go get some coorigated plastic skylight stuff? I don't know what it's called but my mom said it's cheap and it's at the lumber yard. I don't have the tools to cut metal.
Anyway, any advice would help... my grandmothers given me her two cents.

Yay!

OH! One question I was going to ask about waterers. I don't know what kind to get. Does anybody have a nipple waterer or one of those automatic waterers? The kind that hooks up to the hose? What do you think is the best one? They've outgrown their baby waterer..lol... have to refill it too much and they knock it over! Also, I need to get a large feeder so any advice on that will help.

 

[Saltiena]

are you planning on free ranging them or will they be fenced in, i think thet that coop will be fine for four of five bantys anad a standered or two good luck, don't forget to give us pics of the updated model lol

)

 

[allen wranch]

You have a good start on your coop, but I would not put a clear roof on it. The sun will bake them in the summer.

 

[homechick]

Oh okay! That's GREAT advice, I was about to get some after work tommorow. ha ha. Don't want any baked chicken now do I? Do you think metal would be okay? Bounce off the light?

 

[homechick]

I guess I'm going to get metal. Shingles are too heavy. I am assuming the heat will bounce off the metal and will not make baked chicken out of them!

 

[justusnak]

I think the metal would be too hot....it will bake them...I would just try to get some ply wood...then maybe just a good coat of paint over it. You could use the plastic wavy roofing..like some use over covered porches! Good luck on your project! Cant waite to see it finished!

 

[allen wranch]

If the coop were larger, metal might be OK, but I agree it would be too hot for the size you have.

 

[homechick]

I got masonite and I'm going to spray metalic paint on it to bounce the light off. Sound okay?
Also, I am putting a wire floor in and under that wood that can open (to clean and let more air in during the summer). Should I put straw on the floor until it's warmer? I think they will be almost 2 months when I put them in there for the first time.