Rookie Coop Building Mistakes?

[bingrancher]

oooo - I'd rather hose out the coop than clean a poop hammock!

What about the "low pressure cup systems" that Walden's Ridge was mentioning? What are those?

http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/mini-cup-waterers.html

this is a low pressure watering cup

whats your winters like? and can i get more into on the deep litter method?

my winters have been mild lately but if you have birds with big combs and you are worried about frostbite then try vasoline it wont hurt them. Heres a link that will give you all the info you need. Hope it helps and good luck

 

[crittergarden]

Thanks, Bing.

 

[chestypuller]

http://www.flemingoutdoors.com/mini-cup-waterers.html

this is a low pressure watering cup


my winters have been mild lately but if you have birds with big combs and you are worried about frostbite then try vasoline it wont hurt them. Heres a link that will give you all the info you need. Hope it helps and good luck

what link?

 

[bingrancher]

what link?

Sorry about that, I thought it posted but here it is I hope

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...e-easiest-way-to-deal-with-chicken-litter-dlm

 

[Cargo]

Chickens do not need a heater !!!
They have a down coat.
Folks in Alaska keep them and they are fine down to -30.

Ventilation, not drafts is the key.
Keep them dry, (ventilation) without having cold air blow on them (drafts).

 

[chestypuller]

heck i wonder how many chickens you need per cubic foot of air space to keep it nice at -20f and what size vent holes? anyone have the math on this?

 

[Heidisue11]

Great Question! I'm currently building the run, which will be 18x6, and I'm not sure what's a comfortable number and how big should the coop be..
Can anyone help?
Heidi

heck i wonder how many chickens you need per cubic foot of air space to keep it nice at -20f and what size vent holes? anyone have the math on this?

 

[goodbull92]

I am a rookie too but I just built a low pressure nipple water system with help from pics & designs here on BYC. I definitely recommend it! I got 25 nipple screw in connectors for $14 on Ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/X25-Chicken...ps=63&clkid=7182242319986638422#ht_2040wt_952

 

[bingrancher]

[COLOR=800080]Great Question!  I'm currently building the run, which will be 18x6, and I'm not sure what's a comfortable number and how big should the coop be.. [/COLOR]
[COLOR=800080]Can anyone help?

Heidi[/COLOR]

Run area should be 10 sq ft per bird and coop should be 4 sq ft per bird so 10 birds and a 40 sq ft coop minimum Heidi I hope that helps I'd build it 8x8 so there is less cutting wood

 

[Purdy]

Chicken coop check list

1. predators "Know your predators" then proof your coop
2. 10 inches of rooster bar space per bird
3. 4 Sq feet feeding
4. 3-4 sq feet per bird in the hen house
5. vents that open and close / cross breeze the best
6. windows lots of them
7. roost bars 2 1/2 inches OD limbs work the best with bark in place
8. Roof, build to with stand wind and snow load.
9. wiring for lights and outlets
10. clean out door
11. flock door
12. hen boxes, 1 box for every 3-4 hens.
13. build so you can winterize it
14. the right coop for your flock, portable Vs stationary
15. Build so that you can add on to it or be able to sell and start over
16. reminder... it cost two as must as you think
17.make it nice, chicken coops do not have to be ugly!
18. build it for chickens as well for your self, at some point you will need
to clean it and will need to get inside of it