We moved here this summer and inherited an ancient chicken coop, the former owner kept a flock so we decided hey, why not?
We now have 11 hens and 3 roos, all seem pretty happy in their space but the outside run is too small and bare, will be expanded next summer to a big secure fenced free-range park of sorts (we have feral cats here, coyotes, hawks, racoons, you name it!).
That part will be the easy part, LOL!
Here's what the buildings look like. We actually have TWO coops, joined in the middle by a semi-open space. The flock lives in the smaller, insulated coop with attached run on the right, the left coop is decrepit and is being used as storage for now.
Should we put a door to close off this open space (to prevent icy blasts & snow accumulation when the main coop door is opened in the freezing winter) or would a heavy tarp/plastic be OK - like a shower curtain? We're very, very low on cash at the moment so am trying to be creative... plus a tarp can be removed in the summer, which gives us free access to our water supply. Hmmm.
Here is the decrepit coop, which I was thinking to clean up with 4x8 planks on the walls and thermal insulation on the ceiling to hide the mold (I can't afford to rip everything out). The boarded-up window would be replaced by a functioning one which opens for ventilation (we are getting two for free) - so I would use this coop in the winter as a daytime playing space for the flock so they don't get bored in their insulated coop... No snow and ice in here but it would be as cold as the outside.
Ideas on how to maximize this space are most welcomed! I also want to use it as a 2nd coop in the summer if a hen goes broody and we get chicks... I don't like the dirt floor as critters are digging their way in to steal food when the ground is soft, but I don't know what kind of critter
- should I put planks down in the spring, after the ground thaws?
This is their current, mostly insulated coop. Floor is plywood on dirt, ceiling has old pink stuff, basically a mouse toilet (sooo gross! I can't wait to change that next year!). We have electricity and water when the ground isn't frozen.
Please do not laugh at my attempt to add insulation with no skills and hardly any tools! LOL
We are changing the window that faces the main coop door, as it does not open and we are severely lacking in ventilation. Humidity these days is about 95 to 100% in the coop, but it's been raining nonstop, drizzling, just miserable.
I love how the door opens outwards and there is an edge to keep the bedding from falling out. Nesting boxes are close to the door, also practical... but I have to walk in every day to add food and change their water. Ceiling is 5'5" high so I have to walk around stooped over, LOL!
Most of the flock sleeps up on the pallet, which is awesome: keeps them bundled together, warm, and the poop is easy to clean up!
Finally, a photo of the tiny nekkid outside run:
No wonder the girls scream to be let out to free-range a bit every day, LOL!
OK now that you've seen everything... tell me, how do I make it better for me and for the flock, without breaking the bank?
Thank you!
We now have 11 hens and 3 roos, all seem pretty happy in their space but the outside run is too small and bare, will be expanded next summer to a big secure fenced free-range park of sorts (we have feral cats here, coyotes, hawks, racoons, you name it!).
That part will be the easy part, LOL!
Here's what the buildings look like. We actually have TWO coops, joined in the middle by a semi-open space. The flock lives in the smaller, insulated coop with attached run on the right, the left coop is decrepit and is being used as storage for now.
Should we put a door to close off this open space (to prevent icy blasts & snow accumulation when the main coop door is opened in the freezing winter) or would a heavy tarp/plastic be OK - like a shower curtain? We're very, very low on cash at the moment so am trying to be creative... plus a tarp can be removed in the summer, which gives us free access to our water supply. Hmmm.
Here is the decrepit coop, which I was thinking to clean up with 4x8 planks on the walls and thermal insulation on the ceiling to hide the mold (I can't afford to rip everything out). The boarded-up window would be replaced by a functioning one which opens for ventilation (we are getting two for free) - so I would use this coop in the winter as a daytime playing space for the flock so they don't get bored in their insulated coop... No snow and ice in here but it would be as cold as the outside.
Ideas on how to maximize this space are most welcomed! I also want to use it as a 2nd coop in the summer if a hen goes broody and we get chicks... I don't like the dirt floor as critters are digging their way in to steal food when the ground is soft, but I don't know what kind of critter
This is their current, mostly insulated coop. Floor is plywood on dirt, ceiling has old pink stuff, basically a mouse toilet (sooo gross! I can't wait to change that next year!). We have electricity and water when the ground isn't frozen.
Please do not laugh at my attempt to add insulation with no skills and hardly any tools! LOL
We are changing the window that faces the main coop door, as it does not open and we are severely lacking in ventilation. Humidity these days is about 95 to 100% in the coop, but it's been raining nonstop, drizzling, just miserable.
I love how the door opens outwards and there is an edge to keep the bedding from falling out. Nesting boxes are close to the door, also practical... but I have to walk in every day to add food and change their water. Ceiling is 5'5" high so I have to walk around stooped over, LOL!
Most of the flock sleeps up on the pallet, which is awesome: keeps them bundled together, warm, and the poop is easy to clean up!
Finally, a photo of the tiny nekkid outside run:
No wonder the girls scream to be let out to free-range a bit every day, LOL!
OK now that you've seen everything... tell me, how do I make it better for me and for the flock, without breaking the bank?
Thank you!
