Uninsulated coop in northern areas

[Trevorusn]

I am also having a problem with a chicken sleeping in a nesting box

Mine are slowly discovering the roosting bars, having moved them to a bigger coop, but some roost on top of the boxes, better than in the boxes at least. I did physically put a few on, that seemed to help the others learn.

 

[Cryss]

Mine are slowly discovering the roosting bars, having moved them to a bigger coop, but some roost on top of the boxes, better than in the boxes at least. I did physically put a few on, that seemed to help the others learn.

If you want to stop them roosting on top of the boxes put a slanted board over them. I made the roof of the nest boxes slant and attached it to the wall with hinges so I can get inside from the top if needed.

 

[Trevorusn]

If you want to stop them roosting on top of the boxes put a slanted board over them. I made the roof of the nest boxes slant and attached it to the wall with hinges so I can get inside from the top if needed.
View attachment 1958797

My boxes are not actually attached to the coop at all, rather they are moveable. I may try jury-rigging a slanted apparatus though, that's a good idea. They are gradually all moving to the bar, only one or two of my BJGs and one ISA are holding out. It boggles my mind my how many chickens will try to pile onto a tiny patch of real estate.

 

[Kylacat]

We partially covered the ceiling so they can’t roost in the rafters anymore. We also covered the back wall with plywood inside to stop the draft on windy nights and we changed up the roosting bars but I can’t figure out how to set up the poop board because of the location of the nesting boxes. My daughter had a good idea of turning the nesting boxes(we use milk crates) at night. We leave just one facing so it’s open just in case they need it before I get out in the morning. Atleast I only have to clean one instead of four I don’t have power to the coop so for now I take their water in at night and bring out fresh clean water in the morning. On days below 15 degrees I go out a couple of times during the day and make sure it is not frozen. I feeling a bit more at ease now. Winter seemed to come fast and furious and I totally freaked

 

[gtaus]

Here is a picture of the coop this morning

Very nice looking coop. I built my chicken coop on an old boat trailer and made it look like an old fashioned barn with gambrel roof and red and white paint. The only questions I got on my coop build were if I had enough ventilation. How do you handle ventilation for your coop?

I only have a couple small 4x12 inch vents up under the eaves. But I also have two sliding windows on opposing walls which are cracked open slightly. I have 10 birds in a 6x12 coop, and with the high gambrel roof, I have not noticed any moisture build up yet. But the winter is just starting and I am prepared to go out and cut larger openings for ventilation if I must.

 

[aart]

Yes, I am the Mistress of Baffledom.


Um...yeeaaahh
But it works the same

Was it you who had the plexiglass baffle on stand offs on a gable vent in a small coop?
One of the best baffles I've seen.

 

[Cryss]

We partially covered the ceiling so they can’t roost in the rafters anymore. We also covered the back wall with plywood inside to stop the draft on windy nights and we changed up the roosting bars but I can’t figure out how to set up the poop board because of the location of the nesting boxes. My daughter had a good idea of turning the nesting boxes(we use milk crates) at night. We leave just one facing so it’s open just in case they need it before I get out in the morning. Atleast I only have to clean one instead of four I don’t have power to the coop so for now I take their water in at night and bring out fresh clean water in the morning. On days below 15 degrees I go out a couple of times during the day and make sure it is not frozen. I feeling a bit more at ease now. Winter seemed to come fast and furious and I totally freaked

Well done!
I think I like your daughter's idea. I say "think" only because I can't quite picture it but the concept is very good.
So my picture in my head is milk crates below the roost with a board covering the top of the crate and pdz on the board. My minds picture doesn't understand the part you said about turning them at night.Maybe a photo of nest area and one of that in relationship to the roost?

 

[Cryss]

Was it you who had the plexiglass baffle on stand offs on a gable vent in a small coop?
One of the best baffles I've seen.

Yep, that was me. I baffle coops AND people.
Thank you! That's quite a compliment, I really appreciate it.

 

[Cryss]

I am also going to block the roof a bit because I didn’t realize the chickens would roost that high and it is just becoming too messy.

They always go for the highest roost they can physically reach. Getting down can be the bigger problem. If they don't have sufficient room they can face plant on the way down. I think the formula is for every 1 foot of roost height the nearest wall needs to be 1 foot away. If I have that wrong I hope someone corrects me.
When you cover the roof don't totally enclose it. Leave open space around the perimeter for access to the ventilation area above.