School Bus Coop Winter & Feed

[Gammond]

So we got a full-sized school bus this year for our new coop. The front portion is closed off for storage. All the windows in the bus are open 1/3 of the way for ventilation. They have a big run - approximately 70 x 50 feet with lots of tree coverage.

Our winters get to -38 (sometimes -40) Celsius for over a week at a time. I don't heat the coop. I just have two large heated bowls.

- Their feed is about 19% protein. Would you suggest anything else to feed on cold days? Last year we did black oil sunflower seeds.

- Do you think my ventilation will be OK?

- Their entrance has a ramp up to one of the windows. I am waiting to see if this will be an issue in the winter.

 

[rjohns39]

on the really cold days, sunflower seeds and cracked corn are good. Watch for excess moisture, if you have it, give more ventilation. In really cold climates, black barrels with water on the north side will heat up during the day and hold heat at night.

 

[N F C]

I'd love to see a picture of your bus coop, it sounds interesting. @rjohns39 has given you some good pointers!

 

[aart]

Do you think my ventilation will be OK?

As long as any rain/snow doesn't come in windows.....
.....or breezes strong enough to literally ruffle feathers at roost area.

Would like to see pics too.

In really cold climates, black barrels with water on the north side will heat up during the day and hold heat at night.

If there is enough sunlight to warm them up?
Could work as a buffer even without sunlight.

 

[pennyJo1960]

I would love to see photos also

 

[Gammond]

The door of the bus and first two windows are partitioned off for storage. The big tractor tire is filled with wood ash/sand/clay for dusting in the winter. We used one of the emergency exit windows as the chicken entrance - we started them all out in the bus and they figured out the ramp really fast.

We put this little hutch thing in here with mini perches. It worked to get them out of the nest boxes at night.

Back side of the old chicken coop that we use as a chick/broody hen coop now. It has a separate run.

 

[Gammond]

More run room.

 

[pennyJo1960]

wow I like it heck of a nice way did you get it without seats?

 

[Kiki]

How neat!

 

[Mrs. K]

I think it will work great. Once there was a poster on here that used an old car, said it worked fine.