- Apr 15, 2012
- 35
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We are in the process of purchasing a fixer-upper farm, and there's (what I think is) a perfect future chicken coop not too far off the back porch, right next to the garage. It's roughly 10' l x 10' w x 7' h and I think used to be a milk storage shed because it's insulated and has electricity. It can also easily get water, if it doesn't already have it, since the garage that's next to it has water. I'm pretty darn excited, and think that with some tlc it'll be a great coop


Here's the to-do list right now:
-install a window where the window hole is, and make it predator proof, even when open.
-either take out all of the insulation in the ceiling or somehow replace it.
-tear out the carpeting
-make electrical outlets chicken-proof (thinking maybe installing those waterproof outside locking covers)
-remote controlled chicken door on the side of the coop for free-ranging
-light sensitive chicken door on the back of the coop, and adjacent predator-proof small pen for outside access while we're away
-install multiple roosts made of 2x4s turned on their sides and sanded down to remove edges
-build nest boxes
We're also going to paint the interior of the coop with Kilz. For flooring, since under the carpet is probably just wood, we were actually thinking about using the tile we have leftover from the flooring in the house. We'd use a particular kind of grout and seal everything, but then would probably use a thick layer of shavings over the tile? Since the floor is also insulated I would like to think it won't be too cold on their little chicken feet. The plan is also to install a caged heat lamp that is set to turn on if the temperature gets too low, to keep their water from freezing. The front door is solid, but I was thinking about putting in a small window there too, for a cross breeze for ventilation.
Anybody have any additional thoughts on how to make the coop better? I was thinking maybe outside access doors to the nest boxes, but I'm wondering if since the walls are insulated that would a) be too difficult and b) just allow for another entrance by predators. Not only that, but if we have to enter the coop to collect eggs we would be checking the feeder and waterers for contents and functionality at the same time.
How many bantam cochins (assuming the roosters all play nice) could I put in this coop if they're allowed to free range? I'm thinking the outside enclosed pen that they'd be able to get to if we're away will probably measure 6 x 12, but between the chickens, horses, goats, and other critters, we probably wouldn't be gone much

Here's the to-do list right now:
-install a window where the window hole is, and make it predator proof, even when open.
-either take out all of the insulation in the ceiling or somehow replace it.
-tear out the carpeting
-make electrical outlets chicken-proof (thinking maybe installing those waterproof outside locking covers)
-remote controlled chicken door on the side of the coop for free-ranging
-light sensitive chicken door on the back of the coop, and adjacent predator-proof small pen for outside access while we're away
-install multiple roosts made of 2x4s turned on their sides and sanded down to remove edges
-build nest boxes
We're also going to paint the interior of the coop with Kilz. For flooring, since under the carpet is probably just wood, we were actually thinking about using the tile we have leftover from the flooring in the house. We'd use a particular kind of grout and seal everything, but then would probably use a thick layer of shavings over the tile? Since the floor is also insulated I would like to think it won't be too cold on their little chicken feet. The plan is also to install a caged heat lamp that is set to turn on if the temperature gets too low, to keep their water from freezing. The front door is solid, but I was thinking about putting in a small window there too, for a cross breeze for ventilation.
Anybody have any additional thoughts on how to make the coop better? I was thinking maybe outside access doors to the nest boxes, but I'm wondering if since the walls are insulated that would a) be too difficult and b) just allow for another entrance by predators. Not only that, but if we have to enter the coop to collect eggs we would be checking the feeder and waterers for contents and functionality at the same time.
How many bantam cochins (assuming the roosters all play nice) could I put in this coop if they're allowed to free range? I'm thinking the outside enclosed pen that they'd be able to get to if we're away will probably measure 6 x 12, but between the chickens, horses, goats, and other critters, we probably wouldn't be gone much
