Coop plans.

[Warwick Lad]

As I said in my first post we are using a coop that the farm has had for about 16 years, it's stood up well to the ravages of time....unlike me ...so I'm going to start on a new coop after Chrimbo. The said coop is all wrong in many ways, the netting boxes are higher than the roosts, so the girls were content to roost on there for the night....making one hell of a mess.

The first thing I did was to take down the boxes to near ground level, then add two roosting poles across the coop with a ladder for those that wanted to walk to bed. That's worked a treat with all the girls up on the same level with a poop tray under to help with the cleaning.

Back to the OP I've been looking at videos and taking a lot on board, had a look at some of the commercial manufacturers as well. I have made up a list of good points/ideas, put together a few drawings to help with the cutting list, I have a good supply of 8' 4x3 & 8' 2x2.. and what I need to buy in the 8x4 OSB sheet, no T&G for red mite to hide in... I can't wait to get started asap...any suggestions that you may have are welcome.

BJ

 

[MrsBiscuit]

For the floor you want something flat so there are no nooks and crannies for red mite to hide in (actually this applies to the whole building) and also so you can quickly and easily sweep out the bedding when you change it. I had a sheet of marine ply. I also had marine ply on the inside of the wooden walls. You need air holes, for ventilation, and these should be high up so the birds are not sitting in a draft.

 

[Marigold]

And for the roof you might consider green or black corrugated plastic (Onduline or similar) - no skin of roofing felt for redmite to hide under, and good steady ventilation round the top from the corrugated edges.

Removable perches, for easy cleaning, and inspection for redmite inside the holes they slot into. The perches in my Green Frog poke through the sides and are held in place on the outside by lynch pins through vertical holes on the perch ends, easily unclipped but very strong.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/s?k=lynch+pins+10mm&crid=E2KE52AFNMAS&sprefix=Lynch+pins%2Caps%2C185&ref=nb_sb_ss_midas-iss-sm_6_10

 

[Warwick Lad]

For the floor you want something flat so there are no nooks and crannies for red mite to hide in (actually this applies to the whole building)

I shall be using OSB board for its strength and waterproofing, the coop will be in sections made in the barn, a 50/50 creosote/paraffin painted on, allowed to dry for 3 maybe 4 weeks, then erected on site. Where all the sides come together all joints will be sealed with a non-toxic silicone sealer.


BJ.

 

[Warwick Lad]

And for the roof you might consider green or black corrugated plastic (Onduline or similar) - no skin of roofing felt for redmite to hide under, and good steady ventilation round the top from the corrugated edges.

I did come across about not using felt on the roof so no hiding place for mites. The roof will be painted with 3 coats of yacht varnish.

Removable perches, for easy cleaning, and inspection for redmite inside the holes they slot into. The perches in my Green Frog poke through the sides and are held in place on the outside by lynch pins through vertical holes on the perch ends, easily unclipped but very strong.
https://smile.amazon.co.uk/s?k=lynch+pins+10mm&crid=E2KE52AFNMAS&sprefix=Lynch+pins%2Caps%2C185&ref=nb_sb_ss_midas-iss-sm_6_10

Removable perches are on the build list, like your idea about the corrugated sheets 17 the wife asked about the winter months (insulation wise)

BJ.

 

[Marigold]

Re insulation; not necessary, in fact counterproductive. In temperate zones, they never need any more heat than their own feathers provide. In fact the main problem is keeping them cool in summer, not warm in winter. They do need shelter from wind and rain, and a dry area in the run so feed doesn’t get damp and they can rest out of wind and rain, preferably on a perch. My three girls have the choice between a perfectly good coop, used for its nest boxes only, and a perch under the run roof, sheltered on three sides with clear tarpaulin sides and open on the remaining side to the rest of the covered run. They use this to roost on at night in all weathers.
Full ventilation, and neve4 any problems with respiratory diseases from inhaling fuggy air in a warm coop.

 

[Warwick Lad]

A few piccies of (sorry still a bit of fog around) our Heath Robinson setup...




This is the area we will be able to use when Defra say so... :roll: the dark "stuff" on the ground are walnut leaves that need to be raked up and dumped on the compost.





Our dust bath is a section of an old tree that when felled was found to have an old bee/wasp nest in the middle, filled with two bags of play sand care of Homebase....so far our little baskets just want to eat it... 19




They have a hanging sprout, along with a hanging carrot so far today.





They've had a good clean out today, and we've popped in a couple of fake eggs, they've had their mixed corn ready for going to bed...another hour & half and it'll be dark.


BJ.

 

[Marigold]

Lucky girls! I love seeing pics of other people’s chickens.
Only two more days to the winter solstice, and after that things should start to get better in the afternoons. Maybe my moulting two-year-olds will even come back into lay now their posh new feathers are growing.

 

[Warwick Lad]

I was on about the winter solstice, only the other day, I'm old I live by the old rules of the land.

The wife & I had to catch Henrietta this afternoon and wash a large dollop of pooh off her back, bless her....she took to it ok.

More photos when the weather is better.


BJ.

 

[Icemaiden]

Re. the silicone sealant, bear in mind that if the girls can pull it from its place, they'll try to eat it. I once caught one of my hens legging it across the lawn, a 20cm length of silicone sealant gripped determinedly in her beak, with the rest of the flock in hot pursuit... 07

 

[Warwick Lad]

Re. the silicone sealant, bear in mind that if the girls can pull it from its place, they'll try to eat it. I once caught one of my hens legging it across the lawn, a 20cm length of silicone sealant gripped determinedly in her beak, with the rest of the flock in hot pursuit... 07

Must admit I had thought the same, will have to pop my thinking head on 17

BJ.