Built a large enclosure...Do I need a "coop"

[kylerdboudreau]

I think most of us are in agreement that it's best to leave the coop in there for shelter. I would open up all the ventilation in the coop to make it as inviting as possible, as it looks dark and closed up in there.

24F isn't that cold so they may choose to ignore it anyhow.

Nests should be lower than roosts (or they may end up preferring the nests instead of the roost, and fill them with poop) but otherwise can be placed at a height that's convenient to you.

Copy that. Thanks for the info!!!

 

[Krugerrand]

Allow me to share a warning from my experience. We had an extended cold snap in southwestern PA a few winters back. To keep warm, my 4 hens all jammed into a nesting box that was way too small for 4 hens. I assumed they knew what was best for them.

Well, my coop is very well ventilated. My nesting boxes, not so much. They ended up with bits of frost bite that I attribute to them spending time in that nesting box. The woodchips in the bottom of it were pretty wet ... and we didn't really have humidity at the time.
Now, when it's super cold I block off the nesting boxes at night and for parts of the days so that they can't powwow in them anymore.

Moral of the story, make sure your ventilation is good in any cold weather sheltering spot. Don't assume they'll go to the spot that is for them.

 

[paintedChix]

Since in NC, & you already have you open air run, you could set up an end or corner that is solid. Could be tarp, wood - solid sheet or planks, tin.

Someone used bamboo here on BYC. Unfortunately, I don't remember who that was.

I would use darker than your current roof - so predators can't actually see the chickens. Your night time roosts in that area & your nesting boxes as well. Because of the hot wire, you may need to do this from inside your pen.

You may definitely get colder, especially w/ wind chill. Moore & Harnett counties showed lowest temp was 12°, but I swear we were in negatives last two winters for a while. Larry (hubs) has access to our weather station readings, but I don't know how far it goes back. You can always wrap part of the run w/ plastic - allowing sunlight & keeping wind, snow & ice out. Best to unhook hot wire to put wrap on outside & then putting it back up. Or wrap from inside

A good example would be to check out 3KillerBs newest coop/run set up...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/large-open-air-coop-in-central-nc.1443812

Others that would work are open air coops in BYCs coop area from TX

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/

& ?AZ or?.

Mine - are simple, rustic pens & runs w/ CP hoops (funtional but no where near as nice/pretty as what you are starting with). Different styles of movable tractors. They have mostly 2x4" wire & no aprons. Some had chicken wire - w/ & w/o the 2x4". I've had to add/am adding HWC & aprons now (well i have the wire, breaking my ankle on one side & dislocating the opposite way in Feb ended a lot of projects. Break healed - trying to work w/ stretched out of place tendons - not going well. Most projects still on hold. Today was 1st day w/ cane & no brace on flat surfaces. Balance still VERY out of wack) now - stationary & tractors. Besides the wire & CP, mostly built reusing other items. Tarped roofs. I'm glad we don't usually see bear of any kind here in Moore/Harnett counties - there are some... Here I deal w/ hawks, possum, raccoon? & neighborhood dogs - even on 21 acres. Construction all around has displaced a lot of critters & more than 1/2 our property is wooded & overgrown.

 

[kylerdboudreau]

Allow me to share a warning from my experience. We had an extended cold snap in southwestern PA a few winters back. To keep warm, my 4 hens all jammed into a nesting box that was way too small for 4 hens. I assumed they knew what was best for them.

Well, my coop is very well ventilated. My nesting boxes, not so much. They ended up with bits of frost bite that I attribute to them spending time in that nesting box. The woodchips in the bottom of it were pretty wet ... and we didn't really have humidity at the time.
Now, when it's super cold I block off the nesting boxes at night and for parts of the days so that they can't powwow in them anymore.

Moral of the story, make sure your ventilation is good in any cold weather sheltering spot. Don't assume they'll go to the spot that is for them.

Dang, great info. Thank you!

 

[Bawkbok]

We have a Buff and a Black Ostralorp, both about 5 months old. They've only been here for 3 weeks. Both are skittish. When I force myself on them and pick them up, the Buff is more amenable to it once in my lap but the BO hates being handled. I also respect that they are losing feathers and getting their adult feathers in and read it can be painful to be handled so I keep it to a minimum except for health checks. They like my presence when I'm with them in the run and they all eat out of my hand. They're just not going to be lap birds I don't think and that's ok. It's more important to me to have healthy birds and great eggs - still waiting for that!

 

[BPChickenFarmer]

First time chicken owner. In the mountains and had to build something sturdy with electric (for the bears).

So far, the birds are good. We have 3 hens. Two buff orpington and one black sexlink. They'll being laying eggs in November I think based on their age.

THE QUESTION: I purchased a 5-6 bird sized coop and placed it inside the enclosure. For a couple months they roosted inside that every night without issue.

Now, all three of them fly up to the support rafter/beam things (whatever you call them). These beams are freaking 7 feet above the ground, but they all three sit up there on them all night and no longer use the coop.

So what should I do? Just take the coop out and make some nesting areas for the eggs? What's the point of the coop if they're just gonna roost high every night?

Thanks for any advice! Below are two pics that will show the details.


View attachment 3939607

View attachment 3939614

They’re enjoying the weather and will return once the weather starts to cool down or turn bad.

 

[Love Donkeys]

First time chicken owner. In the mountains and had to build something sturdy with electric (for the bears).

So far, the birds are good. We have 3 hens. Two buff orpington and one black sexlink. They'll being laying eggs in November I think based on their age.

THE QUESTION: I purchased a 5-6 bird sized coop and placed it inside the enclosure. For a couple months they roosted inside that every night without issue.

Now, all three of them fly up to the support rafter/beam things (whatever you call them). These beams are freaking 7 feet above the ground, but they all three sit up there on them all night and no longer use the coop.

So what should I do? Just take the coop out and make some nesting areas for the eggs? What's the point of the coop if they're just gonna roost high every night?

Thanks for any advice! Below are two pics that will show the details.


View attachment 3939607

View attachment 3939614

I would leave the coop where it is, it's better to have than have not.