Fees and water in coop

[Jaypown]

Hey everyone, I just moved my 6 week old pullets into the coop and run today. I just put them into the coop and locked them in separate from the run. Do they need any light and do I need to have their food and water in the coop or can it be left in the run? The door will open at 6:30am

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Is it pitch dark in the coop? Then yes they should have some kind of light. Best if there are some windows so they get natural light. Protected from predators with hardware cloth and arranged somehow to keep rain and wind from coming in. Perhaps with louvered vents.

 

[Jaypown]

There’s a smaller 5” diameter hole that is covered with a solar powered exhaust fan. Outside of that, there’s no other light sources.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Oops, hit Post too soon. Chickens don't eat or drink at night, so you only need to provide food and water if you can't get out to let them out early in the morning, shortly after daylight.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

There’s a smaller 5” diameter hole that is covered with a solar powered exhaust fan. Outside of that, there’s no other light sources.

That's probably not enough light and not enough ventilation either. How big is the coop (LXW) and how nany chickens are in it? You need to provide 1 sq ft of ventilation per bird or the buildup of ammonia could prove toxic.

 

[Jaypown]

I have the door set to auto open at 0630 so they can get food and water right away.

I have 4 pullets and the coop is 4x4x4.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I have the door set to auto open at 0630 so they can get food and water right away.

I have 4 pullets and the coop is 4x4x4.

That's the right size for 4 birds but it still needs more light and ventilation.

 

[Jaypown]

That's the right size for 4 birds but it still needs more light and ventilation.

Ok thanks! I can cut another opening tomorrow and I have plenty of hardware cloth to secure it. Luckily I’m more in a suburban area so predators are not plenty.

What’s the best way to incorporate more light?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I would cut two windows, one each on opposite sides of the coop. You want cross-ventilation to get good airflow. But be sure these are above the chickens' heads where they roost. You don't want a draft on them, where airflow will disturb their feathers. The feathers protect them and keep them warm, you don't want their skin exposed. You also don't want them getting wet. Take measurements then go to your hardware store and buy a louvered vent, then go home and cut the opening to fit. Hopefully these will be big enough to allow light as well as ventilation.

Can you post a picture of your coop?

 

[Jaypown]

Thank you for the info! I can definitely add an opening. The vent hole with a fan is on the backside of this picture and the wind blows towards the coop from where the picture is taken. The picture doesn’t have the ramp and obviously can’t see the auto door. Small door is for nesting boxes and large opening is for cleanout/access