Texas

[Belott]

I have a approximately 7 X 14 barn looking storage building. It has no windows and is wood construction with metal siding. It is raised off the ground by about 1 foot. How many windows would be needed for 100 degree summers? I was thinking 4, 2 on 1 side, 1 on the back. I would want the nest boxes closer to the door I think. I would also need to add a chicken door, and can it have steps instead of a ramp? I can easily move the roosts, from their current coop to the very back end of the building and install them. I would fence and bury flat bricks around the parameter of the building. I also have a ton of leftover old cheap tile that i can put down, both to protect chicken feet from splinters and for easy cleaning.

Any other suggestions for converting this storage building into a chicken coop? Doing this so the geese and chickens can have separate housing without having to make my kids lose their swimming pool or trampoline. Plus I think this route is cheaper than building from scratch. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Windows would be good; the more the better! With our Texas heat in a metal bldg it can get quite warm. The most important thing you can do is add ventilation up at eave level to allow heat, moisture and ammonia out. And I mean lots of ventilation. The rule is 1 square foot of ventilation per chicken. I am bldg. a 10X25 open air coop and the top ten inches will be open hardware cloth all the way around. I am using tarps like flaps to keep driving rain out but let as much airflow in the summer and dropped down as needed in the winter.

I can't help you on using tile. Don't know how that would do.

Metal bldgs hold a lot of heat even at night.

Hope that helped!


David

 

[Belott]

David your playing with fire there! Your standing alone on this one.

C'mon Harley, where's your spirit of adventure!!

David

 

[Belott]

Poor guy will be banned from the Texas thread by his wife if we all bombard him with hugs

Lisa

She's used to it Lisa!! I like to Greet at Church as I get hugs from all the Ladies!!

David

 

[Starfire669]

Windows would be good; the more the better! With our Texas heat in a metal bldg it can get quite warm. The most important thing you can do is add ventilation up at eave level to allow heat, moisture and ammonia out. And I mean lots of ventilation. The rule is 1 square foot of ventilation per chicken. I am bldg. a 10X25 open air coop and the top ten inches will be open hardware cloth all the way around. I am using tarps like flaps to keep driving rain out but let as much airflow in the summer and dropped down as needed in the winter.

I can't help you on using tile. Don't know how that would do.

Metal bldgs hold a lot of heat even at night.

Hope that helped!

David

The roof overhangs a bit so cutting ventilation shouldn't be a problem. Maybe I can cut them out, frame the cut part and during winter I can close some for warmth, and leave others open for airflow.

 

[TexasLisa]

She's used to it Lisa!! I like to Greet at Church as I get hugs from all the Ladies!!

David

Hey, I do the same thing but I get hugs from the guys!!

Lisa

 

[lovingmyhens]

They actually have 8 nest boxes, in case i don't catch a broody right away, and so I can section her box off from the rest of the flock.




yeah, i was shocked too. But was told that they don't trap outside the city limits. We have to trap and hold the dog/cat until they can arrive for pick up and they charge a fee for pick up. i thought it was their jobs to pick up loose strays, but guess not. I actually have 6 dogs, but the other 4 are Siberian Huskies and i keep them well hidden in the back yard. People would steal them in a second. I actually caught someone trying to take my girl Dawn out of the front yard!

Trap them and drop them off at animal controls front door

 

[Starfire669]

Trap them and drop them off at animal controls front door

I'd be scared they would have cameras on at night, and during the day people are there who would report me.

 

[Cassie Collins]

They actually have 8 nest boxes, in case i don't catch a broody right away, and so I can section her box off from the rest of the flock.




yeah, i was shocked too. But was told that they don't trap outside the city limits. We have to trap and hold the dog/cat until they can arrive for pick up and they charge a fee for pick up. i thought it was their jobs to pick up loose strays, but guess not. I actually have 6 dogs, but the other 4 are Siberian Huskies and i keep them well hidden in the back yard. People would steal them in a second. I actually caught someone trying to take my girl Dawn out of the front yard!

What is it w/ people?! Some1 stole my neighbors Shitzu out of their front yard while they were watering the side of the house (is a larger front yard). I have 4 dogs & 2 are EBs & we hide them also. I guess it's bc u r out of city limits, but what about Game Wardens County/State Police?

 

[harley1975]

I'd be scared they would have cameras on at night, and during the day people are there who would report me.

If it was me I would just dig a few holes and fill them as they came around!!

 

[samanthaburns]

Robert Lee Texas here