What are the MUST HAVE items for backyard chicken enthusiasts?

[Maria G]

Here are my few experiences with coop design:

• Predator proofing! I thought my neighborhood was safe, but after loosing my entire flock + 4 young chicks, I now value a predator proof run = peace of mind + you can leave you chicks for some days without worry.
• An entrance room for storage and nesting boxes. i made a pretty simple design for my converted shed, where I used chicken wire to fence off approx 1/3 of the area for an entrance. I can then close the door behind me before I enter the chicken area. i also put in some shelves in the entrance and put the nexting boxes on the shelf. i cut a hole in the chicken wire so that the chicks can enter from inside their room, and i can lift the lid and pick up the eggs from the outside.
• A nice spot for chicken gazing! No need for yoga or mindfulness when you can sit and watch a flock of chicks! So for me it was important to have a small area inside the coop where I could put a small stool for chick gazing without freezing to death.
• Doors that open inwards! Keeps chicks in and you out, instead of vice versa
• Deep litter method. Invented by smart, lazy people. Say no more.
• A bell you can ding every time you come with food. Haven't tried this yet, but I think it can solve the problem of collecting free range chicks from all over my property - hoping it will condition my chicks to come running every time they hear it.
• Practical watering system. Chicks drink a lot and soil their water. I have not found a smart solution yet, so I end up showering in dirty water and splashing water all over the place on my long trek from the kitchen to the coop. Not fun.

Good luck!

 

[aart]

See My Coop page...I'm pretty happy with all of it, only thing I'd really change is more than one partition area.

ETA:
Walk in coop and run.
Mesh covered run.
1/2" hardware cloth on all coop openings.
Pop doors operable from outside coop.
Nest access from outside coop.(my coop is inside shed, so easy)
Poop boards under roosts.
Metal feed cans.
Horizontal nipple waterers.
Waste free feeders.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

Alright, here's my MUST HAVES

Nipple drinkers. Cleaner water easier, and lots less time spent getting their bedding out of their water. Because they WILL kick it in there.
A coop that you can easily get inside of.
Laying boxes that allow the eggs to roll into a back compartment where the chickens can't reach. Because it seems that there is at least one egg eater in every flock, no matter what you feed them.
A fence, within a fence, within a fence. In this third fence, are the chicken coops. Made from layered chicken wires. With dogs out guarding them. This is called predator proofing, lol
And, last but not least, a must have for every back yard flock is...SILKIES!!!!!

 

[21hens-incharge]

I like my doors to open outward. I had a sick hen a couple years ago and she was behind the door that opened inward. I felt so bad pushing her with the door knowing she was not well.

 

[Mahlzeit]

Has anyone put nesting boxes under drop/poop boards? I'm also wondering how high I can put drop boards, or how low nests - i have Wyandotte bantams, but that could possibly change down the road........what about Rhino Linings epoxy for the floor? Saw a post about that, or maybe that is overkill and just paint the floor? Mixed feelings about vinyl now - good point, 21hens-incharge - about the mice using the edges........like your poop boards Mahlzeit!

I have my nests running underneath my poop boards.

 

[sueiris]

Here are my few experiences with coop design:

• Predator proofing! I thought my neighborhood was safe, but after loosing my entire flock + 4 young chicks, I now value a predator proof run = peace of mind + you can leave you chicks for some days without worry.
• An entrance room for storage and nesting boxes. i made a pretty simple design for my converted shed, where I used chicken wire to fence off approx 1/3 of the area for an entrance. I can then close the door behind me before I enter the chicken area. i also put in some shelves in the entrance and put the nexting boxes on the shelf. i cut a hole in the chicken wire so that the chicks can enter from inside their room, and i can lift the lid and pick up the eggs from the outside.
• A nice spot for chicken gazing! No need for yoga or mindfulness when you can sit and watch a flock of chicks! So for me it was important to have a small area inside the coop where I could put a small stool for chick gazing without freezing to death.
• Doors that open inwards! Keeps chicks in and you out, instead of vice versa
• Deep litter method. Invented by smart, lazy people. Say no more.
• A bell you can ding every time you come with food. Haven't tried this yet, but I think it can solve the problem of collecting free range chicks from all over my property - hoping it will condition my chicks to come running every time they hear it.
• Practical watering system. Chicks drink a lot and soil their water. I have not found a smart solution yet, so I end up showering in dirty water and splashing water all over the place on my long trek from the kitchen to the coop. Not fun.

Good luck!

I'd love to see some photos of your coop......especially your entrance room.....good idea!

 

[Mims]

Has anyone put nesting boxes under drop/poop boards? I'm also wondering how high I can put drop boards, or how low nests - i have Wyandotte bantams, but that could possibly change down the road........what about Rhino Linings epoxy for the floor? Saw a post about that, or maybe that is overkill and just paint the floor? Mixed feelings about vinyl now - good point, 21hens-incharge - about the mice using the edges........like your poop boards Mahlzeit!

Here's some ideas I've picked up from other BYC'ers. You can put the boxes and boards at any height, just add a ramp to get up and down to them. I'm putting my poop boards at about 3' tall, because I'm 5'2", and anything taller, and I won't be able to reach comfortably.








This last pic is a built in brooder under the poop board. I'm definitely doing this.




Also, I've heard that vinyl flooring can crack in a cold winter, leaving the possibility of them cutting their feet. Look up blackjack, on here, or Google. A lot of people paint their floors with it and swear by it. It's kind of like Rino lining, but different.

Hope this helps.

 

[sueiris]

Here's some ideas I've picked up from other BYC'ers. You can put the boxes and boards at any height, just add a ramp to get up and down to them. I'm putting my poop boards at about 3' tall, because I'm 5'2", and anything taller, and I won't be able to reach comfortably.








This last pic is a built in brooder under the poop board. I'm definitely doing this.




Also, I've heard that vinyl flooring can crack in a cold winter, leaving the possibility of them cutting their feet. Look up blackjack, on here, or Google. A lot of people paint their floors with it and swear by it. It's kind of like Rino lining, but different.

Hope this helps.

thanks so much! I'll look up the blackjack, too.....

 

[21hens-incharge]

My floor is also painted. I used porch and floor paint from Home Depot. Less costly than the blackjack and still durable. One year and still going strong.

 

[Folly's place]

If you have a shed or walk-in coop, either the dirt floor, crushed rock, or concrete works great, making sure that drainage issues are managed. Mine is an old concrete floor, with rubber stall mats under the bedding to make clean out easier. Predator proof, and very tough. Mary