[DMT2011]

Yes I'm a Newbie!

I'm sure the answer(s) to my questions are here somewhere but it's taking some time to find them! Perhaps you can help still?

I'm collecting my hens tomorrow and was wondering about ventilation in the coop. The copp I have has one of those sliding doors with a handle so you can operate it from the outside... well I think there was a design fault as it doesn't close all the way and leaves about an inch gap. At leat - I assume this is a design fault?

Rather than send it back / kick off! I 'modified' it quite simply so now it can be closed all the way. Anyone else come across this 'feature'? There is a ventilation window (which is close-able and has a wire mesh cover etc.) I'm getting 3 hens and can imagine they would generate a fair bit of moisture and / or ammonia overnight when they're shut in... it looks pretty snug inside though and wondered if I should keep the vent open still? at all? I know the weather's starting to warm... slightly... but there's still quite a chill at night, especially when the skies are clear. I know I'm probably being pedantic because from what I understand, they're pretty hardy and can take most weathers?

The coop / house states it's suitable for 4 large birds and has an attached 'built-on' run / enclosure but they'll probably have the run of the garden. I have made them another larger fenced area (chicken wire) at least to start with until they are accustomed with their surroundings. I know they'll probably flap over it though! I've got cats and thought I'd give them a bit of security initially! Any thoughts?

The coop is in a fairly shaded area but does get a bit of sun. The flooring is covered with wood chip which has been there for a while. I keep reading about 'harmful mold' etc. especially in bark. As I say, this stuff has been there for a while and looks mold free to me! So I'm not too concerned about this! There's plenty of worms deeper down where it's moist and it gets nice and dry fairly quickly when the sun's out and after it's rained so it seems to be draining well etc.

Anyway - thanks for taking the time to read. Any advice / replies are welcome!

I'll put up some pictures soon if anyone's interested?

I was thinking it might be best to confine them to the actual coop / built on run for a while until they're settled-in... about 24 hours / over-night... any thoughts?

If I think of anything else I'll ask!

Bwark!

[Lindeggs]

I can't answer any climate-related questions (I'm in the wrong hemisphere!) but I can tell you it's definitely wise to keep your chickens confined for 24 hours after you get them. 

Don't let them into an area unless you're confident you can confine them.  If they take fright and get out, you will have a lot of trouble getting them back until they learn where 'home' is.

And Bwark! to you, too. 

[joyfull]

hello and welcome, why not nip over to our welcome section and introduce your self to everybody.
Yes leave the ventilation either fully open or partially open, they dont like draughts but do need air circulating. If the house is the sort I think it is then the run is nowhere big enough for 4 hens - for this amount of hens they should have a minimum of 4 square metres of clear run space and if they are in there for any period of time they will need 2 or even better 3 square metres each. When you collect your hens and put them in with their feed and water you will see just how small the run is.
Photos? - yes they are a must we love looking at photos 

[DMT2011]

Thanks! I'm glad I constructed some extra run area! As I said though - I'll let them have the run of the garden quite soon.

I did think the whole coop looked a bit pokey to be the permanent housing for 4 hens ( as advertised ).

Will see how I get on later!