Hi!
So our conversion from wooden playhouse to coop is underway. We have gutted the interior:
And removed the roof which we discovered already has tar paper down the center (not the apex or the overhang):
And here's the almost-finished run (6'x7'x4'):
And look what we found buried under the house when we lifted it (it was already dead):
Taking it to school to show my daughter's class today!
Anyway, on to the questions. First off, I live in the high desert (NV at about 4700' elevation). Is there any reason to raise the house off the ground since we don't have any sort of water issues here? Should I cover under the bottom (on the studs running under the floor) with hardware wire if we don't raise it? The floor is very solid, but I am assuming rodents could chew their way inside.
Since there isn't water/weather issues here, should I leave the apex of the roof open (between the slats) for ventilation? I am already leaving the top of each eaves on the ends open for the same reason. Spacing between the slats is about 1/8-1/4". Should I put down a later of ODB under the roof (either covering or not covering the apex)? We are going to put a layer of ODB down inside the walls to prevent drafts, and I bought enough to do the roof. But then we found the tar paper. Rain rarely happens here, and not under our large trees where the coop will be.
I am planning on putting an accessible nest box in the window on the left end. Should I make the box outside the window with a locking top, or inside the window, using the window for access (of course backed with ODB and locked)? Is either a better idea (assuming interior box would be warmer and more secure?)?
Should I be majorly concerned about predators? We are in the city, and have GOBS of quail (and their babies) running all through the neighborhood. If we had major predation, wouldn't we see less? Maybe there's so many we don't notice the losses, or do chickens attract more than wild fowl?
Thanks for taking the time to read my lengthy post and answer any of the questions you can!
We're getting excited here. Now if that lady with the chickens would just call back.....
Lori
Carson City, NV
So our conversion from wooden playhouse to coop is underway. We have gutted the interior:
And removed the roof which we discovered already has tar paper down the center (not the apex or the overhang):
And here's the almost-finished run (6'x7'x4'):
And look what we found buried under the house when we lifted it (it was already dead):
Taking it to school to show my daughter's class today!
Anyway, on to the questions. First off, I live in the high desert (NV at about 4700' elevation). Is there any reason to raise the house off the ground since we don't have any sort of water issues here? Should I cover under the bottom (on the studs running under the floor) with hardware wire if we don't raise it? The floor is very solid, but I am assuming rodents could chew their way inside.
Since there isn't water/weather issues here, should I leave the apex of the roof open (between the slats) for ventilation? I am already leaving the top of each eaves on the ends open for the same reason. Spacing between the slats is about 1/8-1/4". Should I put down a later of ODB under the roof (either covering or not covering the apex)? We are going to put a layer of ODB down inside the walls to prevent drafts, and I bought enough to do the roof. But then we found the tar paper. Rain rarely happens here, and not under our large trees where the coop will be.
I am planning on putting an accessible nest box in the window on the left end. Should I make the box outside the window with a locking top, or inside the window, using the window for access (of course backed with ODB and locked)? Is either a better idea (assuming interior box would be warmer and more secure?)?
Should I be majorly concerned about predators? We are in the city, and have GOBS of quail (and their babies) running all through the neighborhood. If we had major predation, wouldn't we see less? Maybe there's so many we don't notice the losses, or do chickens attract more than wild fowl?
Thanks for taking the time to read my lengthy post and answer any of the questions you can!
We're getting excited here. Now if that lady with the chickens would just call back.....
Lori
Carson City, NV
