post your chicken coop pictures here!

[beautifulpirate]

Bruceha2000- it's on the list of things to still tweak. I thought of it from the very beginning. But as of now, my four year old goes out with me when we do chores and if I get stuck, she is capable of opening it for me. Plus right now, the door is quite snug and needs some gentle persuasion to latch so it won't latch unless I purposefully pull it tight to the door jamb.

 

[NanaNeen]

Next question...we bought I little prefab coop to get started. After reading this thread and noting the dimensions of other coops, I'm wondering, is the4 linear feet of roosting pole space sufficient for six white Leghorns? I'm told they will be smaller than some breeds. We are going to add a 3'x16' extra run to it. I already plan to build a larger indoor coop later in the year or next spring, but will this space for for now?

 

[NanaNeen]

Next question...we bought I little prefab coop to get started. After reading this thread and noting the dimensions of other coops, I'm wondering, is the4 linear feet of roosting pole space sufficient for six white Leghorns? I'm told they will be smaller than some breeds. We are going to add a 3'x16' extra run to it. I already plan to build a larger indoor coop later in the year or next spring, but will this space for for now?

 

[beautifulpirate]

Next question...we bought I little prefab coop to get started. After reading this thread and noting the dimensions of other coops, I'm wondering, is the4 linear feet of roosting pole space sufficient for six white Leghorns? I'm told they will be smaller than some breeds. We are going to add a 3'x16' extra run to it. I already plan to build a larger indoor coop later in the year or next spring, but will this space for for now?

Those prefab coops rarely have enough space for two chickens. Leghorns are not a small breed. You'll need about 8-12 inches of roost space per bird. On the super conservative side it is 48" for 6 birds. But that doesn't allow much room for the birds to move about on the roost as they settle in. And they will want to move about as they go to roost. They'll scoot and walk about each other. You'll also have to consider landing space if they have to fly up to the roost.

 

[tjparker60]

Other than sheer convenience, I don't know why one would pay $70 for the BriteTap combo (2 gallon insulated cooler and the 2 nipple water insert "gizmo") when you can buy the "gizmo" for $30 and a 5 gallon Igloo drink cooler at Walmart for $20. Pull the spout off the cooler, shove in the "gizmo" (which you have to do if you buy the combo anyway!!). 3 more gallons of water, for $20 less. If you want only 2 gallons, you can get a 2 gallon Rubbermaid insulated cooler for $10 at Home Depot. Seems like BT is selling a $10 cooler for $40.

BTW that Britetap will freeze solid in the winter and there is no way you will get even very hot water in the cooler to go out and keep the water in the external "reservoir" from doing so. Also, nice as it is to see the water in the "gizmo", it WILL turn green there because the sun can get to it. They actually sell a $13 sun cover for it so now you are up to $83 (plus shipping I presume) to solve a problem you can do yourself for < $15.

Not meaning to dump on the BT but if one is willing to tap some nipples into the side or bottom of a drink cooler:

• it is WAY cheaper
• the nipples can be kept from freezing at very cold temps with the seasonal addition of a stock tank or submersible aquarium heater 
• and no algae issues

Kelsey was so excited she had egg cartons before she had chicks! Yeah, learn from the experiences of others. Fortunately the cartons are now being used. 


If they are "protecting" the ladies from the PEOPLE, they need to be retrained or rehomed. NO rooster should be "protecting" the flock from the people that feed them.

So buy the nipple set up from Brite tap and get the coolers elsewhere? If I bring the coolers inside for the winter can I keep it from freezing?

 

[FarmerPhronc]

So buy the nipple set up from Brite tap and get the coolers elsewhere? If I bring the coolers inside for the winter can I keep it from freezing?

You can purchase the nipples separately as well, easy to find on ebay or amazon. Get a plastic 5 gallon bucket with lid from walmart drill holes and put in the nipples. With the addition of a stock tank, submersible aquarium heater or birdbath deicer you shouldn't have an issue with freezing. All while saving a few dollars..

 

[bruceha2000]

Next question...we bought I little prefab coop to get started. After reading this thread and noting the dimensions of other coops, I'm wondering, is the4 linear feet of roosting pole space sufficient for six white Leghorns? I'm told they will be smaller than some breeds. We are going to add a 3'x16' extra run to it. I already plan to build a larger indoor coop later in the year or next spring, but will this space for for now?

What BP said. 8" in the WINTER can work because they pack in. 12" minimum in warmer weather. And if someone lives where 80F IS winter weather (like the temperature variation in Aruba is about 10F night to day and 75F to 95F "winter" to summer") it is 12" year round.

The run you plan to add is big enough for < 5 grown large fowl chickens. I don't know how big the run (if there is one, you said "add") you already have is. Your space will likely be outgrown by the 6 Leghorns before they are 5 months old. I'd start on the new coop now, or maybe I'd start on the BIG run now and when that is finished start on the bigger coop.

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade but SO many people believe (having no reason not to) what the manufacturers' claim for # of chickens. I swear those manufacturers have never raised chickens or they think that battery cage hens live good lives at the huge egg factories.

So buy the nipple set up from Brite tap and get the coolers elsewhere? If I bring the coolers inside for the winter can I keep it from freezing?

If you feel the need to have a "plug and play" solution, yes. You can bring water in at night since the birds will be up on the roosts but what are you going to do during the day? Doesn't take long for a small amount of water like the "reservoir" holds to freeze. It will start on the outside and slowly freeze to the center.

 

[tjparker60]

You can purchase the nipples separately as well, easy to find on ebay or amazon. Get a plastic 5 gallon bucket with lid from walmart drill holes and put in the nipples. With the addition of a [COLOR=333333]stock tank, submersible aquarium heater or birdbath deicer you shouldn't have an issue with freezing. All while saving a few dollars..[/COLOR]

Thank you all! I'm new to chickens so I have tons to learn! I appreciate your patience!

 

[tjparker60]

What BP said. 8" in the WINTER can work because they pack in. 12" minimum in warmer weather. And if someone lives where 80F IS winter weather (like the temperature variation in Aruba is about 10F night to day and 75F to 95F "winter" to summer") it is 12" year round. 

The run you plan to add is big enough for < 5 grown large fowl chickens. I don't know how big the run (if there is one, you said "add") you already have is. Your space will likely be outgrown by the 6 Leghorns before they are 5 months old. I'd start on the new coop now, or maybe I'd start on the BIG run now and when that is finished start on the bigger coop.

Not trying to rain on anyone's parade but SO many people believe (having no reason not to) what the manufacturers' claim for # of chickens. I swear those manufacturers have never raised chickens or they think that battery cage hens live good lives at the huge egg factories.


If you feel the need to have a "plug and play" solution, yes. You can bring water in at night since the birds will be up on the roosts but what are you going to do during the day? Doesn't take long for a small amount of water like the "reservoir" holds to freeze. It will start on the outside and slowly freeze to the center.

I'm still learning! So I appreciate your help and patience!

 

[bruceha2000]

We all started there @tjparker60 and everyone who has had chickens for a year or 30 years will tell you there is ALWAYS something to learn. My winter water setup works to about -20F but I would design it differently were I to do it again.