Starting out, MANY questions

[Ridgerunner]

Just wasn't sure why not having a dirt floor would preclude from letting it compost in place.

It won't as long as the moisture is right. You can help the process along by tossing in a shovelful of dirt to introduce the right microbes. You don't have to, the microbes will show up anyway.

 

[Ted Brown]

...
- Plenty more ventilation will be added before winter starts.
...

There was something nagging me so I came back and had a look.

Ventilation is NOT just a winter thing. My coop (Woods KD) has at least twice the ventilation during the non-cold months as it does during.

If you have time read the Prince Woods book Modern Fresh Air Poultry House on the topic.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yeah, and too wet is also bad. Just wasn't sure why not having a dirt floor would preclude from letting it compost in place.

As Ridgerunner noted it's mostly due to moisture. In most coop set ups you want to keep things dry as a bone. To compost in place there'd have to be some moisture. You can try it and see if it works for you, or remove the bedding when you're "done" with it and let it compost outside afterwards.

 

[Rhendera]

There was something nagging me so I came back and had a look.

Ventilation is NOT just a winter thing. My coop (Woods KD) has at least twice the ventilation during the non-cold months as it does during.

If you have time read the Prince Woods book Modern Fresh Air Poultry House on the topic.

In summer the windows will be open, no worries. But can't get to everything at once, so sometimes you have to prioritize.

 

[aart]

introduce the right microbes.

Very important!

mostly due to moisture

I don't want that moisture in my coop.

Mass is another thing that's important to efficient(producing heat and breaking down quickly) composting. Needs to be pretty 'deep' to compost well.

 

[Reedo5]

Well being in Ontario, id suggests a heated waterer. I would eaither purches one online or build a diy one, here is one i made out of a cat litter pail, horizontal watering nipples, an aquarium heater, and a galvanized dish to catch drippings. Its worked down to the negative temps for me.

If you have any questions on the waterer feel to message me!

 

[Rhendera]

Well being in Ontario, id suggests a heated waterer. I would eaither purches one online or build a diy one, here is one i made out of a cat litter pail, horizontal watering nipples, an aquarium heater, and a galvanized dish to catch drippings. Its worked down to the negative temps for me. View attachment 2040762View attachment 2040763View attachment 2040765
If you have any questions on the waterer feel to message me!

Yep! Great suggestion I read on this site to use a bird bath de icer but your idea is very smart, didn't think of that yet. I will have a heated bucket inside in the winter, and want to build a rainwater supplied poultry nipple waterer for the summer months that'll go in the run. Already found some awesome guides on this website

 

[aart]

Its worked down to the negative temps for me.

@Reedo5 Show your updated version, with heater at bottom and pail not hanging?

 

[Reedo5]

@Reedo5 Show your updated version, with heater at bottom and pail not hanging?

Ill take a fresh pic when i get home from work

 

[aart]

Ill take a fresh pic when i get home from work

Maybe put them in an article, then you can link!