Problems with keeping coop dry/ bedding ideas?

[Bear Foot Farm]

Thanks for the suggestions how often do you mix your shavings?

If you throw a few handfuls of scratch in there, the chickens will stir it for you. If mine starts to smell bad, I add some pellitized lime, and more shavings. That neutralizes any ammonia and raises the PH

I clean about twice a year, and by then most of it is ready to go straight to the pastures.

Right now I have 16 chickens using an 8 X 12 coop. They free range all day, but their feed and water are in there. When it's cold they roost inside, but if it's not, the also have roosts in the run that they prefer​

 

[vermontgal]

I have my waterer up on a narrow shelf. Only one chicken can get to the water at a time, they take turns. You can see that the shelf is above a nest box (bucket) and on the other end the shelf is connected to the dropping board below the roost. So it is a little like walking a catwalk to get to the water. Works to keep it out of the way.

 

[hcammack]

Thanks for all the great Idea's i am still working on them.

Henry

 

[lichick28]

I just saw that coop at Victorians unlimited. That's a really nice coop. I did notice that there is no type of lock on the nest boxes to protect your birds from preditors. I have my water dish on a few bricks to raise it up like a step effect. If you dont screw it properly closed it leaks. I clean my coop every 2-3 weeks in the winter and once a week in the summer. we only have 1/2 acrea & I'd rather clean often then have someone complain to the town about the smell.

 

[hcammack]

The next box cover ways 30 pounds so unless its a bear or a human egg theif no one is getting in their. Thanks I raised the water up on the bricks and it seems to be working. Everyone even the new girls are going into the coop

 

[lichick28]

Does it weigh that much? I lifted it and thought a hungry raccoon can get in. I am always thinking of the raccoon that ripped thru the cage to get my birds & I wouldnt want that to happen to anyone else. Good luck

 

[hcammack]

I am not sure mine is pretty heavy plus we have my hounds all around it all the time and I really haven't seen a racoon in 10 years here in these suburbs. We leave our trashcans open and don't have any problems. I guess I will look into the latch though.

Thanks,
Henry

 

[lichick28]

I dont mean to sound negitave but I worry about what could happen.

 

[hcammack]

Quote:
Its fine I am always open to suggestions I will keep thinking about it. I did just go out their and test it and I really don't think their is a way that even a very hungry racoon could lift it its just to heavy maybe their is a difference in the wood used in out coops.

thanks,
Henry

 

[patandchickens]

Raccoons are incredibly strong, I would be astonished if a raccoon couldn't lift a 30 lb flap if it had a reason to want in.

A $1.39 double-ended snap and two $.69 eyebolts could save you having to replace your entire flock...


Pat