The Girls Moved into New Coop

[drumstick diva]

Your first coop and run look very isolated - a great place to quarantine new hens etc. or a time out jail for any of bad character. What a great hubby you have.

 

[cdawson41]

Quote:
I noticed that while DH was building it and made a remark to that effect

There wasn't much of a reply other than maybe next summer! LOL. Translated that means I know we are going to expand but we are not doing it right now.

 

[oldchickenlady]

The one thing I see that really needs to be addressed is ventilation. Sitting out in the sun like that with no shade, the coop will be like an oven! If you made some cut outs in the upper part of the end walls, one on each end for air flow and covered with hardware cloth, you would make it waaay more comfortable for the hens. Moisture/ammonia smells can build up quickly without adequate air flow. Also, if your roost boards were flat (easy to fix with 2 short pieces of 2x4 nailed to insides of support boards, then roost boards nailed to them instead) it would be way more comfortable for the hens to roost. In winter if the flat 4" side is up, then they can sit flat and their feathers cover their feet, so they stay warmer and they don't have to 'balance' so much in their sleep. Other than those 2 things...it is awesome! Great job DH!

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
I agree on all counts!


Great find on the shed! Your birds are really going to like it.

 

[cdawson41]

The ventilazation is in there now, just wasn't there at the time we took the pics. He got louvered vents and put those on over the openings so as to keep rain etc from getting in and its coverd on the back of the vent with wire mesh. So when he put those on the house the wire is sandwiched between the vents and the wall to keep critters from pushing it on either side. We had read the suggestion about the boards and those are in the process of being turned to make it more comfy for the girls. Also I have enough room on the back wall to put a solar powered fan, we we are internet searching for that right now. Trees are in progress but of course that will take time. Thanks for the suggestions though, I really appreciate them. We have made several changes based on what has been suggested to us.

 

[oldchickenlady]

Cool! Your chickens should be very happy and lay lots of eggs for you!