Renovating the Little Monitor Roof Coop

[3KillerBs]

DH found that the roof was not as bad as he thought so he was able to repair instead of replace and didn't need to scout for scarce building materials in the time of COVID panic.

We need new latch hardware for the nest box because the olds ones don't fit on the new design. I'm very pleased with the window and DH has an idea for a storm cover if we need to close it for a hurricane or some such thing.

 

[3KillerBs]

There are new sills on the nestboxes with the switch to the drop-down version.

Once those latches are in place and we've replaced the paracord to operate the pop door we will be able to move it to a place it can stay for the summer. Then, when we've got the new house and are putting it into a permanent place we'll probably cut the legs off and set it on concrete piers. DH figures they'd be easy to make using sonotubes and that it would be the best option because of termites, carpenter ants, and hillside.

At that point we'll set it up a little higher -- 2 feet instead of 18 inches.

 

[3KillerBs]

After 36 hours of rain, some very heavy, the window frame is bone dry.

 

[3KillerBs]

Latch hardware has been installed on the nestbox. DH does not like the latches. He thinks they are too hard to operate. I found them perfectly simple.

The coop has been moved to the location where it, and the chicks I hope to get next week, will spend the next couple months until our house has been placed and we can determine where to put it permanently.

Unfortunately, shifting the coop revealed that the ground contact structure was in even worse shape than we believed. I will probably have to shove some concrete blocks under the weaker side. When it is permanently installed it will go on concrete pillars. (Yes, it was treated wood. But this area is brutal with termites, carpenter ants, and fungus -- the damage is only about 6-8" deep so the fundamental structure is still sound).

The location is the best shade we can provide -- that shed blocks afternoon sun and we intend to string up a tarp for midday shade.

With the extra window next to the nest box I found that the interior was only slightly hotter than the exterior in the sun late this afternoon.

I'm pondering an insert for the pop door to provide additional cross ventilation. Some kind of hardware cloth in a frame where I can raise the popdoor and stick the insert in and secure it.

 

[3KillerBs]

P.S. There is always a breeze up the hill. Unfortunately, I couldn't turn the monitor broadside to said breeze without blocking either the pop door or the access door.

 

[3KillerBs]

We have provided the coop with shade from the midday sun in anticipation of using it as a brooder for chicks we're going to buy on Friday.

Unfortunately, the inexpensive picnic fly is not big enough to provide both adequate sun angle protection *and* rain protection for me while I tend them (access door is on the right gable end). The shed itself blocks the HOT later afternoon sun.

 

[3KillerBs]

Set up as a brooder:

 

[aart]

I hope they don't get under the edges of the paper towels(?)

 

[3KillerBs]

I hope they don't get under the edges of the paper towels(?)

Is that often a problem? I keep reading to put paper towels on top of the bedding so they won't eat the shavings.

 

[aart]

Is that often a problem? I keep reading to put paper towels on top of the bedding so they won't eat the shavings.

It can be....just keep an eye on it.
I use paper towels over PDZ in the brooder for a few days at least,
but am careful to keep the edges of towels flat or they'll pick and them and may crawl under.
Having the feed, and water, on the tote lid will help keep them cleaner,
and help keep the chicks from eating shavings(don't think it's huge problem anyway).
I put them out in the coop with tote lids but on shavings by a week.