Will This Shed Work?

[pkeeler]

YES GEORGIA-HUMIDTY IS AWEFUL.I PLAN USING HARDWARE CLOTH OVER THE WINDOWS IN THE SUMMER AND CLOSE THE WINDOWS IN THE WINTER.I WAS GOING TO HAVE A SPACE JUST UNDER THE ROOF OVERHANG OPEN COVERED WITH HARDWARE CLOTH ALL THE WAY AROUND FOR VENTILATION.IWILL ADD A HEAT SORCE IN THE WINTER AND MAYBE A FAN IN THE SUMMER.THERE WILL BE CROSS VENTILATION WITH THE 2 OPPOSITE WINDOWS.

First, it is considered shouting when you use ALL CAPS. We all did it at first, and someone had to ask us to turn off the caps lock, so don't take it personally, just trying to help

I would leave the windows open all year. Maybe storm shutters, or just extend the roof out more. Chickens can handle the cold, they can't handle dampness. I'd go with a fan definitely. The heater should not be necessary. Maybe a heater for your waterer.

The deep litter method would work great on concrete and has a lot of benefits. It will even heat the coop a bit in the winter. Sunlight is important with the DLM, and you should try and have at least 1 sf of window (in the South and East sides) for each sy of floor space.

A good sized run can make up for a lot. I agree to try and keep any shrubs or trees around as shade will be very appreciated by the birds.​

 

[dinahmoe]

Quote:
First, it is considered shouting when you use ALL CAPS. We all did it at first, and someone had to ask us to turn off the caps lock, so don't take it personally, just trying to help

sorry,i wasn't yelling.i didn't know,thanks.


thanks for all of the tips so far.i am supposed to have someone start on it next week so i will have all this handy when construction starts.

 

[bigoakhunter]

Quote:
We put a bottle tree outside of our coop to trap the evil spirits ! LOL.... It is a old slave tradition that has colorful bottles on a post or tree , then the evil spirits get mesmorized by the pretty colors and go into the bottles were they are trapped. Maybe I can find some pictures...

 

[Slywoody]

I highly doubt you will need heat. More important to have GREAT ventilation.

 

[thetajmahalcoop]

yeah i live in upstate NY and never had to heat my birds (3 years in) until now when we have been getting frigid temps. don't heat the coop in GA! If you use deep litter method in GA make sure you get diatamaceuos (spelling?) earth to mix to cut down on smell/flies. I use Deep litter method in NY in my coop bc we need the insulation/warmth from it, you wont down there. GOOD LUCK!

 

[dinahmoe]

Quote:
We put a bottle tree outside of our coop to trap the evil spirits ! LOL.... It is a old slave tradition that has colorful bottles on a post or tree , then the evil spirits get mesmorized by the pretty colors and go into the bottles were they are trapped. Maybe I can find some pictures...

i'd like to see pics.
thanks guys .hadn't really thought about it before but i will now,esp. since we are redoing the old abandoned house right next to it-yes we are redoing the chicken coop before our house-go figure!

 

[ecocheapomom]

I agree that you probably won't need the heater. We are in NH and it is freezing right now. I think the Deep Litter is really helping to insulate the coop and provide some heat from the decomposition. It is warmer in the coop than in the garage. We use the DE to mix in with fresh litter about once per week and it really helps with the smell. We also had zero flies in there this summer. On really cold days,like today, I just keep the hens locked inside and provide some extra treats for entertainment. We have a waterer with a built in heater that keeps it from freezing. It was cheaper to buy that than a sperarate watere and heater. We also recycled a building that was on our property when we moved here and I only wish it had been as awesome as yours! Good luck to you!

 

[cook_kaka_ook]

Wow! It looks good. All you need is to do is add a run for your flock.

 

[GraceAK]

You definitely don't need a heater. Trust me, on cold days, give them scratch and theyll be fine! Ventilation is the most important thing. Im not talking about a few holes. you need big rectangular holes. covered in hardware cloth.

Also, that looks like a fantastic shed. It should clean up nicely. How's the inside? is it draft free? Is the floor stable and strong? I'd say line the floor with that vinyl stuff so it's easy to clean, keep the nests lower than the roosts, and BAM! Chicken coop.

Wish ya' luck!
Grace

 

[gsim]

You are on the right track via the ventilation all around. No insulation needed. Put a cupola or turbine vent at peak for a place to exhaust all of that air. Then it will breathe continuously and your coop will not stink nearly so bad. Cooler too and roof shingles last longer. Use deep litter method. I use grass clippings which are free and smell good. Have had no trouble with them at all.

Do paint the blocks inside. I would use a product called 'Damtight'. It is a powder and is mixed with water to catalyze it. 2 coats best. Can tint with latex interior paint if desired. otherwise is white. I did 3 coats outside and two inside of my basement when I built my home. 20 years later no water yet. Would help to keep dampness and mildew down in humid summer months and make coop interior brighter. If doing a new roof and roof frame, gable is easier to build than hip roof. I did 6/12 pitch and is easy to walk on and looks good too. Makes for better ventilation if a little taller in center in such a warm humid climate as Ga. Use 12x12 gable vents, one at ea end and continuous soffit vent the whole length like I did. Put turbine vent in top-center too. With those block walls and cement floor, you will want continuous flow of air all year. Can close windows in cold weather and still fumes escape via gable and turbine vent. Works here on my 8 x 16 coop. Can give more details if needed. Just email me.

Make a 24" wide poop plank to sit under roost with roost being 12" from wall. Use OSB and glue linoleum to it. Clean daily using something like a drywall finishing knife.

Your coop will not stink and litter will last a year. Great for the garden or for compost or shrub beds.

Great resource for a great and secure coop.