Soaked Coop Floor!! Help!

[brownrhi]

Oh no, I hope my birds won't knock it off the block! Keeping the water outside would be ideal and we do that in summer, but we do not have our run attached as we just built this new coop for winter weather and figured we would wait until spring to add on and attach their run/outdoor area. We didn't think they would enjoy being out in snow. So all I am working with for the rest of winter is their 4x8 coop indoor area. Thanks for your advice!

 

[aart]

Oh no, I hope my birds won't knock it off the block! Keeping the water outside would be ideal and we do that in summer, but we do not have our run attached as we just built this new coop for winter weather and figured we would wait until spring to add on and attach their run/outdoor area. We didn't think they would enjoy being out in snow. So all I am working with for the rest of winter is their 4x8 coop indoor area. Thanks for your advice!

How many birds in there?
There might be a way to secure the waterer from falling over.
Can you post pics of it in the coop?

 

[Percheron chick]

9 birds in your coop is way over the limit with no additional outdoor run area. That many birds alone are a big part of the excessive moisture. Sounds like a ventilation problem too.

 

[brownrhi]

Its actually 8 chickens and I think we followed a rule I saw online about 4 square feet per bird. So it's either 8x4 or 9x4. But I do agree and wish it was bigger myself. We were so used to free range and when winter came up quickly we had to build something fast. It's not perfect but come spring we will be adding on. We are definitely going to add more ventilation in the next couple days.

 

[junebuggena]

Get a temporary run setup so that the chickens can at least choose whether they want go out or not. Also, since they don't come down to drink once they go to roost for the night, you can bring the water inside your house in the evening. That way, there is less moisture in the air at night, and water won't freeze.

 

[aart]

"......right now it's hanging on a chain as well as on the cinder block."
That'll at least help it from totally dumping.

 

[Percheron chick]

Its actually 8 chickens and I think we followed a rule I saw online about 4 square feet per bird. So it's either 8x4 or 9x4. But I do agree and wish it was bigger myself. We were so used to free range and when winter came up quickly we had to build something fast. It's not perfect but come spring we will be adding on. We are definitely going to add more ventilation in the next couple days.

The general opinion is 4 sq ft per bird for the coop plus an additional 10 sq ft for the run. If the birds are confined indoors you should at least double your coop area. I'm surprised you aren't having some behavioral issues like bullying, feather picking, egg eating...
Check out CL. Look for some chainlink dog run panels. Doubling the size of the coop will go a long way. I can usually find them for $20-50 apiece. If you can orient the run so you have some sun exposure. Chickens love to sunbathe in the winter.

 

[irfxr]

I wouldn't put fresh dry chip down without removing the wet one first either.

 

[mobius]

Waterer:
Make it with horizontal nipples from ebay. Can add more around bucket. Holds four gallons, can use round bucket.

Heater for waterer:

https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-250...5448875&sr=8-2&keywords=250+watt+stock+heater

Cut small hole in lid for heater cord to come through.

May need to remove all the wet litter and put new dry stuff down after waterer situation corrected. Dog pens, x-pens are good ideas. If it were me I would remove all litter and wipe down thoroughly and replace right away, sounds like chickens are getting sick. Throw the old litter on the compost pile or similar...

 

[Cbennich]

I had the same problem in my coop. We built a PVC pipe watering system. It is attached to the wall. It works really well.