Winter is Coming! Checklists, tips, advice for a newbie

[JandS Flock]

Thank you for the reply and information. I will make them up a new roost as soon asI get home, block off the nests and see if that works for them.

Thanks Again!

 

[aart]

Thanks for reply. I was considering the "bar" (piece of wood you see in front of nesting box) as something they would sit on. However, reading your post I am going to need to make one. The coop bottom is 54 X 42 but I am thinking that I brought the nesting boxes in too far causing me to loose 14" of space on the front end. I could extend the front out in order to give them more room and a roost bar. The one question I have now is; if I put in a roost bar are they going to stay out of the nesting boxes since they have been going in there to sleep? Sorry for all of questions, just want to get things right.

Thanks Again,

John

Problem is where would you put a higher roost and still have room for them to jump down from it?
Even with external nests, 42" is tight.
How many birds you have in there?

Might be able to do a poop board and roost on top of nests....but that puts their heads pretty close to the metal roof.

Good article on Space linked in my signature.

 

[JandS Flock]

I have 4 in there. Could possibly put it right above their nesting boxes which should still leave enough head room. There is a wood roof up top. I just covered the top with metal to keep rain and snow off and to keep the wood from rotting. I have 2 expanded metal "windows" on either side to allow for venting.

 

[aart]

I have 4 in there. Could possibly put it right above their nesting boxes which should still leave enough head room. There is a wood roof up top. I just covered the top with metal to keep rain and snow off and to keep the wood from rotting. I have 2 expanded metal "windows" on either side to allow for venting.

Check poop boards.
Remove angled board and use that....low roost over sand/PDZ...or bare removable board.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...raphic-gross-poop-pictures/1100#post_13179595

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

Alright well it has been getting down into the 30s at night now so it was time to change out the roost so the birds feet can fit on the roost so there feet don't get cold and or frost bite. I have a few tarps up to block the cold wind from blowing on them, and I still have to get the thinker heavy tin on the pen to help give them a place out of the snow as much snow we got last year, we are to get 25-50 percent above average of snow fall this year in PA. So I honestly don't know if the tin will hold the weight last year I had to get up on the tin roof and shovel the snow off as it was sagging.

 

[JandS Flock]

I lowered the roof of the nesting boxes and made a poop box with a roost. I also blocked off their access to the nesting boxes until the get used to the roost. Needless to say they were not too happy to see their boxes closed off but hopefully they will adapt. Appreciate all of the information from everyone. Thanks again!

 

[aart]

I lowered the roof of the nesting boxes and made a poop box with a roost. I also blocked off their access to the nesting boxes until the get used to the roost. Needless to say they were not too happy to see their boxes closed off but hopefully they will adapt. Appreciate all of the information from everyone. Thanks again!

That was fast!!!.....'course we need pics for proof

You may have to put them up onto the roosts until they figure it out....
....or they may sleep in the floor until they get used to the change.
Chickens hate change...but they get over it in a few days, once their curiosity overcomes their fears.

 

[CGinJCMO]

Alright well it has been getting down into the 30s at night now so it was time to change out the roost so the birds feet can fit on the roost so there feet don't get cold and or frost bite. I have a few tarps up to block the cold wind from blowing on them, and I still have to get the thinker heavy tin on the pen to help give them a place out of the snow as much snow we got last year, we are to get 25-50 percent above average of snow fall this year in PA. So I honestly don't know if the tin will hold the weight last year I had to get up on the tin roof and shovel the snow off as it was sagging.

I've been trying to figure out a way to make a snow free area in my run too. I've given up on tarps because no matter how tightly they are tied down or how steeply I've made the slope or support under it (tall A frame or curved hog panel), the wind picks it up and shreds it. If it survives the winds of fall, the snow makes it sag. I've been thinking of making a metal roof "porch" to have a permenent solution. I know I'd have to have it angled fairly steep to help the snow slide off. Sounds like I will have to make sure there is plenty of support to not have sagging issues with metal.

CG

 

[aart]

Quote: One Word.....RoofRake.
Keep the accumulation cleared off.

 

[Alaskan]

Thanks for reply.  I was considering the "bar" (piece of wood you see in front of nesting box) as something they would sit on.  However, reading your post I am going to need to make one.  The coop bottom is 54 X 42 but I am thinking that I brought the nesting boxes in too far causing me to loose 14" of space on the front end.  I could extend the front out in order to give them more room and a roost bar.  The one question I have now is; if I put in a roost bar are they going to stay out of the nesting boxes since they have been going in there to sleep?  Sorry for all of questions, just want to get things right.

Thanks Again,

John

I would take the sloped wood over the nests off... turn the now flat top of the nests into a poop tray, and put a perch over that.

The perch should be WIDE and flat, a minimum of 3 inches.

Oh... and no heat, especially in such a small coop.

My chickens do great down to -20F. (And ducks, and goats)