jasmullin
In the Brooder
Hello, building a new coop and run setup for a flock, and any errors in my idea's that can be pointed out and improved would be great. Will try and bullet point things to keep it from getting to long.
Coop will be a 5x4 metal shed (will add photo if I can get it to work) Extra ventilation will be added at the top with shroud covering to keep the rain out. Wood for roosting bars bought and nesting boxes bought. Floor will be two pallets with plywood covering painted to help water proof and raised on 8 concrete blocks to keep it from sitting on wet ground. Covering the plywood with vinyl or linoleum (or dollar store sticky tiles? I know the glue isn't great, but will be dry before chickens added and covered) with deep little method (maybe also tarp hang under roosting bars, say a YouTube vid with something like that) Also debating cutting a whole in the door and hinging a extra window there, or adding a roof vent/turbine. I'll have to see how the ventilation is. Wondering about keeping it dry and warm in the winter. No major freeze in the winter, some days sub freezing, but lots of rain. Silicone all seals, shroud the ventilation and tarp around from the run to keep direct wind off.
Run is ... 10x12? Not to sure, wife bought that. But walk in and pretty big. More then car sized. has roosting bars, but will add dust bath and more things to keep busy. Wire is poor, so Extra will have to be added around the bottom. Nothing sunk under the ground, that might be a issue, but everything I look at is eather a lot of labor, keeps the whole things from being moved if needed, or in the case of pound in underground fencing, expensive. Any idea's for that would be great. Rebar around the edges, pathing stones around the outside edges, fake predator eye lights? Top has a shade covering, but also thinking of tarping it all off due to amount of rain (weeks at a time) area receives. Want to keep things as dry as able.
Extra's. Not sure if this is for only posting about the setup of the living area or all things, but will do a short extras area. Thinking 6, with good sized roost and 3 nesting boxes. Deep litter method with diatomaceous earth. Looked up what scraps chickens can eat. Wife is thinking of fermenting feed, though will see if that lasts. Have a small breed puppy that will have to be trained to be around chickens, so that's some reading I've done. I work nights, ands she has back issues (years of doctors, might finally be figured out with SI joint fission) so I'll end up doing most of the care in early morning to noon.
I know this is very long. Righting down the things I'v been going over in my head for a while now. I tend to almost overthink and read befor doing. At the least, thanks for letting me post and vent. Anything people have to say on my ideas would be great. I take critiques well.
Coop will be a 5x4 metal shed (will add photo if I can get it to work) Extra ventilation will be added at the top with shroud covering to keep the rain out. Wood for roosting bars bought and nesting boxes bought. Floor will be two pallets with plywood covering painted to help water proof and raised on 8 concrete blocks to keep it from sitting on wet ground. Covering the plywood with vinyl or linoleum (or dollar store sticky tiles? I know the glue isn't great, but will be dry before chickens added and covered) with deep little method (maybe also tarp hang under roosting bars, say a YouTube vid with something like that) Also debating cutting a whole in the door and hinging a extra window there, or adding a roof vent/turbine. I'll have to see how the ventilation is. Wondering about keeping it dry and warm in the winter. No major freeze in the winter, some days sub freezing, but lots of rain. Silicone all seals, shroud the ventilation and tarp around from the run to keep direct wind off.
Run is ... 10x12? Not to sure, wife bought that. But walk in and pretty big. More then car sized. has roosting bars, but will add dust bath and more things to keep busy. Wire is poor, so Extra will have to be added around the bottom. Nothing sunk under the ground, that might be a issue, but everything I look at is eather a lot of labor, keeps the whole things from being moved if needed, or in the case of pound in underground fencing, expensive. Any idea's for that would be great. Rebar around the edges, pathing stones around the outside edges, fake predator eye lights? Top has a shade covering, but also thinking of tarping it all off due to amount of rain (weeks at a time) area receives. Want to keep things as dry as able.
Extra's. Not sure if this is for only posting about the setup of the living area or all things, but will do a short extras area. Thinking 6, with good sized roost and 3 nesting boxes. Deep litter method with diatomaceous earth. Looked up what scraps chickens can eat. Wife is thinking of fermenting feed, though will see if that lasts. Have a small breed puppy that will have to be trained to be around chickens, so that's some reading I've done. I work nights, ands she has back issues (years of doctors, might finally be figured out with SI joint fission) so I'll end up doing most of the care in early morning to noon.
I know this is very long. Righting down the things I'v been going over in my head for a while now. I tend to almost overthink and read befor doing. At the least, thanks for letting me post and vent. Anything people have to say on my ideas would be great. I take critiques well.
) and might be worth considering if your'e not already.. is definitely droppings boards under the roost that keep the coop floor far cleaner by not including nighttime waste.. if desired, adding a little Sweet PDZ..
