Thinking Outside the Box. Would it be too wierd if ...

[drumstick diva]

What about odor and cooties(mites, etc) getting thru cracks into the house? That's assuming major cold doesnt stop odors and bugs in their tracks.

 

[Fourgirlsoneboy]

I wouldn't for two reasons-

1 Because of the smell in the summer. We keep our coop clean, but you still know there are chickens in there, yk? I don't think my family/freinds would enjoy a cookout above the coop!

2 Because of risk of fire. I know some people have had their coops burn down, and I wouldn't want to chance it that close to the house.

That's just mho!

 

[Jen71]

Quote:
I'm guessing they may need some form of heating because they are in Alaska. Not sure about that.
But I think most people do like to have a light in their coops. So electricity would come in handy.

Re: the smell - The structure would be next to the house. Would odor be a problem if you kept that window closed?

 

[pulletkeeper]

I don't see why it wouldn't work. But, you should know if your house if painted the chickens will peck the paint off of it (mine have) and you will need to be very vigilant to keep it clean so there will be not smell in the house. Other than that, sounds great!

 

[BirdBrain]

Thanks for the pros and cons. This is good. It is helping me think this through more fully.

When daylight lasts 6 or so hours it would be nice to have some extra light so the birds have enough time to eat for warmth as well as hopefully get a few eggs.

If there are no bugs during winter, I seriously doubt that mites would be much of a problem.

I was just in Texas visiting my Mom. I got her set up with chickens this time last year. I cleaned out her coup for the first time in a year. She had deep litter and it was not obnoxious. I guess I planned to clean out the coup in the spring and again in late September before things got too cold again.

The house window is more of a picture window (about 6 feet long) with 1/3 that can open but will remain locked if chickens are on the other side. I don't think odor would be a problem if we can't smell the outdoors now with the window closed.

I planned to put the roost area away from the house so the side of the house would not get decorated, but had also thought to put some sort of paneling against the house and then put in nest boxes and feed and water next to the house.

I have thought of the fire issue, but as I plan to insulate and not heat the coup I thought this was less of an issue. I had planned to have electric only for lighting for the birds and for us. I bought 6 new double hung double pane windows (2 feet wide and 5 feet tall) at the Restore last year for $10 a piece and plan to use those in the coups exterior walls. So I may not really need to put electric in there. Although a small wattage light fixture in the ceiling and a hookup for a frost free waterer would be nice.

I didn't know chickens peck at paint. I know they love styrofoam and cardboard.

Any other thoughts?

 

[BeccaOH]

It can work. My friend has a large deck out from the back of her house where the ground slopes downhill. The cement block foundation meets the ground and became the back of 2 coops. She split the area between a group of chickens and a group of guinea. The floor is dirt and the sides are mostly wire. She can't stand up in there, but she can get in enough to feed, water, and collect eggs. The guineas have been there a full year, and I never noticed a smell. They free range whenever possible.

I don't believe they even did a roof. Their deck boards are close together but not a solid roof. The nesting area is like a dog box so the birds can go there if the elements get rough.

 

[DaveD]

Quote:
1) In winter, you need something to keep the water from freezing, so electric works well.
2) A light to see when you are doing stuff in the coop.
3) A light to increase hours of "daylight", if you want to increase egg production
4) Convienience Outlet, if you need to plug something in, while at the coop
5) An exhaust fan in the summer, if you need extra air flow/heat removal
6) a heater, in the event of an extreme cold snap that the birdies get too cold
7) automatic door opener/closer thingie, just in case your not up at the crack of dawn to let the ladies out - I personally shoot for the crack of 10, myself
8) Tis better to have and not use then to never have had before... Oh wait, that's love

-David

 

[CityChook]

Quote:
Yes, chickens will peck at paint. I'd still build the coop with it's own walls as it sounds like you're going to do anyways.

You'll want electricity for all the reasons Dave just said. My water starts to freeze in 10 minutes - you're certainly even colder. My girls wouldn't have fluid water without electricity. Adding heat is a personal choice -- I choose to do it. We have a hardwired heat lamp fixture so I don't have to worry quite so much about fire. No lamp to fall down. Not that it couldn't still happen (faulty wire or whatever) but reduced chances. And having the switch to operate it is nice. Insulation will probably be a must for you as well.

Keep your coop clean and you won't have a smell. I only change out the shavings twice a year. And I'm kinda goofy about dirt/smelliness. It's fine.

 

[The Lisser]

My chicks (half grown) are currently living in an unfinished room attached to our house while my hubby finishes the coop. I can't attest to what a coop with grown hens would smell like, but the odor from our "chicken room" doesn't seem to get into the house as long as the door isn't kept open. If it wasn't for the fact that the room will eventually be a second bathroom (which we desperately need) I'd be inclined to make it the permanent coop! It sure is convenient for access and we love watching them (there's a window in the door).

As for the electricity/fire hazard issue, where we live if you put electricity in any outbuilding it has to be inspected, so it has to be up to grade and safe. Not sure if you have those restrictions there, but I think better to be safe than sorry!

Great idea!

Melissa

 

[koalaslim]

I was thinking of doing this when I built my coop. However, after checking out the local chicken ordinances I found that the city mandates a 5 foot separation between house and coop. So check your local laws before you move forward.