What would I have done differently?
- I would have built it sooner!
Other than that, I think it's perfect almost
Its built inside a garage with a window 4 foot off the ground as a pop door.
Its 8' wide, 4' high, 4' deep, and 2' off the ground on 6-4x4 legs.
There are 16" on-center studs with old 1x6 fencing as walls.
About 100" of roost space for 11 birds. (and there still seems to be plenty of space!) Roosts are about 18" from the ceiling, 24" off the ground and about 14" from the walls. (Just so they fit) The roosts are sort of in a U shape around the coop.
There are 4 roll out nest boxes that are about 12 off the floor of the coop, and they are blocked off now. (they should work once the eggs start coming in 7 weeks!). Access to eggs will be from outside of the coop (but still inside the garage).
I have a linoleum floor, and Im using the DLM. There is a (5 gallon bucket) feeder and 3 gallon waterer hanging from the ceiling.
The hens have 800 sq feet of run outside, and are trained well. They go in to roost at dusk, and fly out when we let them out about noon or early afternoon.
Now that I think about it, I guess there are a few things I would have changed.
Yes, building it sooner is actually one thing.
#2, Ive read that old fencing can harbor mites or something (anyone anyone ?) but I havent had any problems that I know of. (I use DE on the shavings about ever 10 days or so)
And finally, this part I really would have changed. I would have put the linoleum down on the flooring BEFORE I put the walls and ceilings on. It was a pain to put it down after the coop was built. (Duh )
Other than that, now I'm planning on a bigger stand alone coop and getting more birds!
Comments?
Marty
- I would have built it sooner!
Other than that, I think it's perfect almost
Its built inside a garage with a window 4 foot off the ground as a pop door.
Its 8' wide, 4' high, 4' deep, and 2' off the ground on 6-4x4 legs.
There are 16" on-center studs with old 1x6 fencing as walls.
About 100" of roost space for 11 birds. (and there still seems to be plenty of space!) Roosts are about 18" from the ceiling, 24" off the ground and about 14" from the walls. (Just so they fit) The roosts are sort of in a U shape around the coop.
There are 4 roll out nest boxes that are about 12 off the floor of the coop, and they are blocked off now. (they should work once the eggs start coming in 7 weeks!). Access to eggs will be from outside of the coop (but still inside the garage).
I have a linoleum floor, and Im using the DLM. There is a (5 gallon bucket) feeder and 3 gallon waterer hanging from the ceiling.
The hens have 800 sq feet of run outside, and are trained well. They go in to roost at dusk, and fly out when we let them out about noon or early afternoon.
Now that I think about it, I guess there are a few things I would have changed.
Yes, building it sooner is actually one thing.
#2, Ive read that old fencing can harbor mites or something (anyone anyone ?) but I havent had any problems that I know of. (I use DE on the shavings about ever 10 days or so)
And finally, this part I really would have changed. I would have put the linoleum down on the flooring BEFORE I put the walls and ceilings on. It was a pain to put it down after the coop was built. (Duh )
Other than that, now I'm planning on a bigger stand alone coop and getting more birds!
Comments?
Marty
