Woods-style house in the winter

[aart]

I will just stick to new pine shavings 4-6 inches deep every 4-6 months on a solid floor.
I am a firm believer in the KISS method.

Agree....and I don't like the idea of the moisture needed for true composting being in my coop, especially during the frigid winters we have were I live.

Dry up or scoop the poop in the coop, and bring outside to compost it!

 

[Arielle]

Quote: lol deep litter is easy!!

It is unfortunate that you have dismissed the method without really looking into it. An old thread that has been active for a long time is devoted to helping people understand the process and the benefits, and help with any stumbling blocks.

 

[Arielle]

Quote:

I will just stick to new pine shavings 4-6 inches deep every 4-6 months on a solid floor.

IT is much dryier than you give it credit for.

 

[Utard]

lol deep litter is easy!!

A 2 step process vs a 4 step process. Its twice as hard lol

Here is how I look at it. I will be spending a lot of time and effort to build a quality coop that I want to last for the rest of my life. And the last thing I want is stuff composting in it. That will just speed up the rot process of the wood I will be building it with. Thats just my common sense approach. I will save the composting for the compost pile. See there is a method to my madness

 

[Arielle]

As I mentioned before it is much drier than compost, and good ventilation is always a good thing. PT is very useful for preventing any rot. To each their own--- I find it very easy. ANd the chickens love scratching in the leaves, and sticks and such.

I dont see the point in critizing a technique that you clearly don't have experience with. BUt whatever.

 

[Utard]

Compost=decay=rot

Not a good thing to have in your living enviroment

 

[JackE]

For some reason I thought I read that the opening of this style coop should face south unless there is a continuing prevailing wind?

I guess I better read the book again
It can face south, southeast, the idea is to get maximum sunlight into the coop. Point it, so that happens.
I will most likely start building mine in the next 2-3 weeks.

What was the name of the black roofing stuff use for the floor?

Blackjack #57

Any other last minute tips for a new builder? Or anything you would have done a little different? Like with the windows, doors or roofing?

Just built it tight, no unwanted gaps. As far as what I would have done differently? Nothing, to me, it's a perfect coop.

I plan on using 2x4's for the decking for the floor and that roofing tar/paint stuff on top of that. Also I will paint the whole inside white. I was thinking maybe the metal roofing instead of shingles? I am still undecided in using the textured/fake plywood siding or hardie board.

Are you using 2X4"s as the decking, or as floor joists? I went with 2X8"s, with 3/4" plywood decking in mine. 2X4"s as floor joists, sounds a bit weak to me, if you intend to walk around in there. I used Smartside siding on my coop, it's proven to be good stuff.

I am also going to build it in a way that if I ever wanted to move it I could fab up some wheels to be able to move it a short distance. Meaning putting the framing on cement blocks and not sinking any posts in the ground.

That's the way my coop is set up. If I want, I can hook my tractor up to it, and drag it to where ever I want.

 

[Utard]

No I am a proven over builder

I will use 2x8 joists and then lay 2x4's flat as a decking and lots of 3 1/4 galvanized nails. That should make for one heck of a sturdy floor.


I guess the only thing I am really thinking of doing different is instead of asphalt shingles to use metal roofing.

I guess that would be a lot easier to drag it? I will have to make sure the end is braced in the joist to do that. Might be easier than wheels?

Thanks for your insights.

 

[off-grid hen]

No I am a proven over builder

I will use 2x8 joists and then lay 2x4's flat as a decking and lots of 3 1/4 galvanized nails. That should make for one heck of a sturdy floor.


I guess the only thing I am really thinking of doing different is instead of asphalt shingles to use metal roofing.

I guess that would be a lot easier to drag it? I will have to make sure the end is braced in the joist to do that. Might be easier than wheels?

Thanks for your insights.

Utard: Mine has metal roofing, but we put plywood up first, because we didn't realize we had enough leftover metal roofing. If you put a trailer hitch on it, it'll be REALLY easy to pull. Good luck and show finished photos.

 

[aart]

A trailer hitch will make it easy to hook up to something to pull it with....but won't make it move easier.

If you use skids on the bottom instead of wheels, angle the front of the skid sharply...more than 45 degrees...so it won't get stuck on soft ground.