Ribh's D'Coopage

[Kris5902]

I hope you have a lovely day! Relieved you approve. We adjusted as we went & saw how things were shaping in reality. Not sure if the nesting boxes will be dark enough but easy enough to adjust the back panel if we need to.

I think that’s the best thing about building things... adjusting and solving problems as you go. I like that you left the coop floor open for ventilation, but not directly under the roosts. If you get much weather the wind will flow underneath quite spectacularly if you also have some top venting. I didn’t consider that very well in my tractors, so the poop falls through from under the roosts fine, but when we got hit with some windstorms and unseasonable cold this February I looked in and could see the chickens bum feathers moving in the updraft when they were on the roosts! Cardboard poop boards underneath for a week or two corrected the issue!

What are you planning for the area under the roosts? Bedding? linoleum? Poop boards? I love seeing projects evolve and grow!

 

[WhoDatChick]

Oooooo, it looks great! To make a suggestion... I have quite liked using sand under the roosts so far... I am going to have to look into this a bit farther but so far it seems with sand there is no place for the mosquitoes to hide in during the day... we have mosquitoes the size of hawks and an obscene amount of them... so this is good! Before when I used pine shavings.. I would go to stir or clean it and the mosquitoes would all fly out.. it’s also very easy to scoop out daily..

 

[Ribh]

Oooooo, it looks great! To make a suggestion... I have quite liked using sand under the roosts so far... I am going to have to look into this a bit farther but so far it seems with sand there is no place for the mosquitoes to hide in during the day... we have mosquitoes the size of hawks and an obscene amount of them... so this is good! Before when I used pine shavings.. I would go to stir or clean it and the mosquitoes would all fly out.. it’s also very easy to scoop out daily..

Living where we do the cost of sand would be astronomical apart from being quite abrasive. We have a sand island to the east & anyone facing it has had the paint sand blasted from their houses & railings & fences worn so though I have seen some lovely coops that use it I won't ~ & mozzies are a huge issue for us as well. I have herbs planned ~ though they will only partially help, not eradicate. One reason for wanting the open front is any breeze would disperse the mozzies.

 

[Ribh]

I think that’s the best thing about building things... adjusting and solving problems as you go. I like that you left the coop floor open for ventilation, but not directly under the roosts. If you get much weather the wind will flow underneath quite spectacularly if you also have some top venting. I didn’t consider that very well in my tractors, so the poop falls through from under the roosts fine, but when we got hit with some windstorms and unseasonable cold this February I looked in and could see the chickens bum feathers moving in the updraft when they were on the roosts! Cardboard poop boards underneath for a week or two corrected the issue!

What are you planning for the area under the roosts? Bedding? linoleum? Poop boards? I love seeing projects evolve and grow!

Our small coop has a removable tray that sounded terrific but has been nothing but a PITA. Every time I go to pull it out the straw & poop bunch up & wedge it in. Essentially I have to clean it before I can pull it out & that's not easy. It is also rusting ~ so I'm a bit leery.

The coop floor will have a slight lip for structural reasons so while I considered lino the man suggested a really good exterior paint with our usual cane mulch over it was probably our best bet. I can always hose it out if it gets really bad. I use hemp in the nesting boxes, which is terrific, lasts for ages & helps eliminate smells but it has to be brought over by courier @ huge expense so I don't want to be extravagant with it. If I cut down a rake that will reach to the back of the coop it should be easy enough to just rake out into the run & mix in until I want fertilizer!

 

[WhoDatChick]

Living where we do the cost of sand would be astronomical apart from being quite abrasive. We have a sand island to the east & anyone facing it has had the paint sand blasted from their houses & railings & fences worn so though I have seen some lovely coops that use it I won't ~ & mozzies are a huge issue for us as well. I have herbs planned ~ though they will only partially help, not eradicate. One reason for wanting the open front is any breeze would disperse the mozzies.

Oh, I thought maybe you could get some for free... living on an island and all ... and mine I only have in the coop under the roosts.. so no blowing around.. I’d maybe considering planting some anti mozzie plants

 

[WhoDatChick]

Okay... door hung.. roof done
....now on to the painting

 

[Ribh]

Oh, I thought maybe you could get some for free... living on an island and all ... and mine I only have in the coop under the roosts.. so no blowing around.. I’d maybe considering planting some anti mozzie plants

lol We're a *mud* island ~ mud & mangroves. Anti mozzie plants going in...

 

[Ribh]

Okay... door hung.. roof done
....now on to the paintingView attachment 1714544View attachment 1714545

Looking good!

 

[WhoDatChick]

lol We're a *mud* island ~ mud & mangroves. Anti mozzie plants going in...

Oh, I’m sorry.. that did sound like I was suggesting you get some mozzie plants .... but I meant I would consider some for me.. I figured you already had that taken care of

 

[Ribh]

Oh, I’m sorry.. that did sound like I was suggesting you get some mozzie plants .... but I meant I would consider some for me.. I figured you already had that taken care of

All good. One of the difficulties of communicating on~line.