two questions as I build my urban stealth chicken coop

[Lazarus]

Hello Folks,

Just a few questions to start off with...

I have 6 ISA Brown chicks (three weeks old)

Insulation wise for up here in Canada in the winter, I was thinking the pink styrofoam sheets. Will the chickens pick at it if it is exposed in the coop?

Second question- Has any one used round plastic barrels (5 gallon ice cream barrels) for the nest boxes? They are approx. 10 inches in diameter. Any bad experiences or no experiences with this type of egg box?

Third question- I am trying to keep my coop and run on the downlow due to neighboors and bylaws so here are my dimensions.
Coop - 3.5 feet wide by 6 feet long and approx. 5 feet high
Run- 3.5 wide by 8 feet long and how high?
Looking at the coop and runs for the most part they are higher than what I planned

How high should the run be? Is five feet high by 3.5 wide times 8 feet long sufficient for a run? They will be getting plenty of free range back yard time as well

Thank you from a newbie

Lazarus

 

[nuchickontheblock]

Do you have plans to enter the run yourself to clean it out, place water, feed or whatever? Are you 4'11" like I am??
If not, you'll have to duck you head. LOL
That could be the reason they are higher!

 

[Hummingbird Hollow]

I know folks build chicken runs that are really low. However, it will make it more difficult for you to clean the run, also more difficult if you have to catch one of the chickens for some reason. Also, considering where you live, there will probably be times when your chickens are confined to their coop and run due to heavy snow. Having a covered run that has enough height that you can put a few roosting bars will help keep your chickens happy when they are confined. If you don't mind stooping a bit 5' is probably high enough.

 

[Fred's Hens]

If you do decide to insulate with foam board, yes, you'll absolutely have to cover it. No, it is not durable enough and yes, the chicken will pick at it. Not a good thing.

Remember too, that especially in winter, there must be adequate venting. The stale, moisture laden air must be vented out. The heat will go with it. Unless your area is prone to long, 8 day periods of -30C, I'd not be too concerned. Even down to -25C, the chicken has a down coat on and with proper roosts to cover their feet and fresh clean air to keep the coop dry, they do just fine. Colder than that is when they have difficulty, it seems to me. Cold hardy breeds are a must.

 

[Lazarus]

Wow you guys and gals are on the ball!

Thank you for the quick answers.

It really didn't occur to me about me actually getting in there. I do have access on both ends of the coop but it will be difficult to clean with it so low. The chickens don't need the height but I do.

Perhaps a hinged top that can be removed for cleaning! Oh the possibilities.

Really how high can these chickens fly?

Thanks in advance

Lazarus

 

[chickenbythesea]

you shouldn't need to insulate... just use deep litter method. I did this last winter and only on 2 or 3 of the coldest days did I turn on the heat light to warm things up. I would make your run as tall as you can since (i speak first hand) trying to get around in a low run is really a pain and hard to do. My hens (golden comets) can get to 5 feet in height and go for 5-8 feet distance in flight.

 

[7 Biddies]

Wow you guys and gals are on the ball!

Thank you for the quick answers.

It really didn't occur to me about me actually getting in there. I do have access on both ends of the coop but it will be difficult to clean with it so low. The chickens don't need the height but I do.

Perhaps a hinged top that can be removed for cleaning! Oh the possibilities.

Really how high can these chickens fly?

Thanks in advance

Lazarus

For ease of cleaning with low ceiling height, you might want to use my method. See below:

Inside view, under the roost.




Outside view.



Mine is just under their roost where they poop all night but, with a small coop, it would be easy enough to make the whole floor slide out. I think there's another coop on here like that. If you have to catch them, you can use a "Chicken Catcher Hook" http://www.cutlersupply.com/cart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8_99&products_id=648 or just make your own from a coat hanger.

 

[kristamarie]

Lazarus, I absolutely agree with Freds Hens and Chickenbythesea. You don't need to insulate your coop. I also live in Canada, Southern Ontario and had 3 ISA Brown hens and they kept eachother toasty warm all winter in their wooden coop. They produce so much heat on their own that adequate venting is very necessary. I didn't have to vaseline anyones comb or anything. Yes they certainly will eat insulation and are quite partial to anything with the consistency to styrofoam I have found . As for making your coop stealthy, I wish you good luck. I was just ratted on to animal control by a passerby that heard one of the girls eggsongs. I had them with no problems for just under 2 years and I'm now scrambling to build them a new coop at my father in laws before they are taken away. Congrats on your new babies, you will adore them!