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Should I open up underneath the adjacent shed to the chickens?

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by Kagen, Sep 14, 2012.

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  1. Sep 14, 2012 #1
    Kagen

    Kagen Out Of The Brooder

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    Jun 1, 2012
    I have 7 pullets (based on coop and desires may someday go up to 16.) Adjacent to the fenced in run is a 12' by 16' shed (it forms a wall along this completely enclosed run (180 SF) in my small lot. To give the birds more room I was thinking of jacking the shed up and removing the hardware cloth that prevents them from going under and instead fencing under the other 3 sides. This would give more cool room. Note they also can go under the coop already. Is giving them the shed to go under benificial?

    My thoughts, more room for them great.

    What about them laying under there.

    What about eventually needing to clean.

    What height should I give them (I'm not putting the shed on stilts, I was thinking 16"-30")

    Should I do it???
     
  3. Sep 14, 2012 #2
    TurtlePowerTrav

    TurtlePowerTrav T.K.'s Farm

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    Jul 29, 2012
    Oregon City, OR
    My Coop
    I have a shed my birds go under. But I am going to close it off as I don't want them laying under there and especially if on goes broody under there it could be bad.
     
  5. Sep 16, 2012 #3
    chfite

    chfite Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jun 7, 2011
    Taylors, SC
    Both my coops are elevated about 24 inches so that the chickens can go underneath for shade, rain protection, dust bathing, and hiding.

    It gets messy under there with the feathers and such, but I don't endeavor to clean under there. It seems to be the favorite place for dust baths.

    My chickens have laid eggs in many places in the coops, but not beneath the coops.

    Chris
     

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