Questions on starting out

[shadley]

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. Couple of followups....

2 Crows--good to know about the vents. i had heard that before but it did not make sense until you explained it. Also appreciate the chart.

Cluck Wild Farm--We were going to use netting since we live in an area with other homes and dogs around, but like the idea of just leaving the coop open. We will see how it goes. (btw, i grew up in SE Missouri....nostalgic to see it again!)

Chicken Explorer--After this past winter (which seems to still continue in New England) it is good to hear BOs and Barred Rocks seem to like the cold! i don't plan on using a heat lamp.

Chickie Farmer--Appreciate the feedback about raising the coop. I likely cannot raise it more than a foot, and even then not sure exactly how i would do it. it is built with old boards (inch thick) and handout lumber (3 x 4?), so the thing is HEAVY. would raising it only a foot be effective (and cover it with 1/2 inch mesh) to prevent predators from nesting?

 

[chickie farmer]

that would be fine as long as the bottom is solid. Mine is up a little over a foot high. I would raise it by the corners using a 4x4 if possible or a couple of 2x4's on top of each other. Use hydralic jack or have someone pry on the end of a long 2x4 sideways and raise it up a few inches at a time. put a 2x4 under the corner so it is holding up 2 walls at once to hold it up. then go to the next corner and do the same. continue until all is raised. If the wood is rotted, or thin, you would have a problem lifting it. The mesh will keep the predators from getting in.The chickens could still get under it for shade and bathing. They love it. Be sure you surround the coop with the mesh and put it about 10-12 " below ground. so no animals can get through it. I used screws and washers and screwed it to the bottom of my coop. If the wood is not treated, it would rot faster setting on the ground. Good luck and lift it slowly in case the wood is rotted somewhere.