Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[TJAnonymous]

They are having a BALL in the new coop....

 

[LadiesAndJane]

They are having a BALL in the new coop....

View attachment 2599416

Great job! Looks like they are having a blast!

 

[TJAnonymous]

I checked on them late last night. They were all huddled in the straw under the heat lamp. I figured they would have that straw tossed everywhere...ha ha. But I didn't want them to sleep on the cold sand until they are big enough to figure out the roosts (I hope).

We still have to finish the covered porch and the run. Getting there....

 

[TJAnonymous]

checked on them this morning....the straw is now tossed everywhere.

At least they are happy & healthy!

 

[PioneerChicks]

@TJAnonymous the coop is stunning! I love all the space! I'm sure the chicks are having a blast scratching their straw everywhere!

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

I checked on them late last night. They were all huddled in the straw under the heat lamp. I figured they would have that straw tossed everywhere...ha ha. But I didn't want them to sleep on the cold sand until they are big enough to figure out the roosts (I hope).

We still have to finish the covered porch and the run. Getting there....

I love your coop design, are you making a ramp for them to get up to those roosts? I'd love to have a coop setup similar.

 

[TJAnonymous]

@TJAnonymous the coop is stunning! I love all the space! I'm sure the chicks are having a blast scratching their straw everywhere!

Thank you! It will look even better when we get the sliding doors on the broody boxes and the covered porch & run put in.... But I am very happy with it. So far it cost us about $400 in materials which is really good considering the price of lumber.

I owe my DH ALOT of favors....

 

[TJAnonymous]

I love your coop design, are you making a ramp for them to get up to those roosts? I'd love to have a coop setup similar.

Yes... To the left of the lower roost where the nesting boxes are located, there are a series of 4x16 concrete blocks that are situated to make steps to allow them to get up on the first platform. Then there is a ramp between the lower roost and the upper one, although once they are full size they probably won't need it.

Here's the inside floor plan I drew up with the design idea.

However, my DH changed the measurements in the end. We built it on a platform of pallets covered with plywood. Then I used deck sealant to seal the wood against any moisture (or splinters) before covering the floor with sand/screenings substrate. Once the pallets were lined up, I think the final interior measurements ended up being something like 74" x 79" or something close to that... And then the 3 ft covered porch that runs the length of the front of the coop.

 

[ForTheLoveOfSilkies]

Yes... To the left of the lower roost where the nesting boxes are located, there are a series of 4x16 concrete blocks that are situated to make steps to allow them to get up on the first platform. Then there is a ramp between the lower roost and the upper one, although once they are full size they probably won't need it.

Here's the inside floor plan I drew up with the design idea.

View attachment 2601270

However, my DH changed the measurements in the end. We built it on a platform of pallets covered with plywood. Then I used deck sealant to seal the wood against any moisture (or splinters) before covering the floor with sand/screenings substrate. Once the pallets were lined up, I think the final interior measurements ended up being something like 74" x 79" or something close to that... And then the 3 ft covered porch that runs the length of the front of the coop.

Ah yes I see the blocks and ramp in previous pics. It will be interesting to see how they are with going up the steps and ramp as some Silkies don't like to (or can't be bothered?) Jumping up steps or ramp to roost.. I'm very interested to see if yours do easily adjust to these roost positions. If they fell off from that high roost to the floor I wonder how they would go too. Keep me updated please! I'd like to have higher roost spots with the poop trays for easier cleaning but worry they won't adjust to going up that high.
Such a great use of space with nests under roosts! Love it!

 

[TJAnonymous]

Ah yes I see the blocks and ramp in previous pics. It will be interesting to see how they are with going up the steps and ramp as some Silkies don't like to (or can't be bothered?) Jumping up steps or ramp to roost.. I'm very interested to see if yours do easily adjust to these roost positions. If they fell off from that high roost to the floor I wonder how they would go too. Keep me updated please! I'd like to have higher roost spots with the poop trays for easier cleaning but worry they won't adjust to going up that high.
Such a great use of space with nests under roosts! Love it!

I had them in a puppy pen in my sunroom while the coop was being built. To help relieve boredom, I put a plastic shoebox of dirt in there and a 4 inch block. They frequently jumped up on the block and roosted on the side of the shoebox.... They got into the shoebox by either jumping on the block or jumping onto their MHP. So I know they can jump up and down from one block to the next as none of them are more than 4" in height from one step to the next.

Also, the lower roost over the nesting boxes is 15" off the ground. The higher roosts over the broody boxes are 18" off the ground. Not terribly high where I thought they'd have trouble jumping down from them.

ETA - I went out to the coop this morning to check on them and refresh food & water. They were playing on the block steps that lead to the lower roost. I don't think they've gone all the way up to the actual roost yet, but I figure they will get there eventually.