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[emmalou]

I am trying to insulate our chicken coop for our first lot of chickens. The exisiting insulation looks like silver bubblewrap lined on the insides which is very worn as the previous chickens have pecked it all. Is there anything I should steer clear of? The insulation with need to go inside the coop as it is already built so has very little room for improvement. Also, the floor is lined with lino. Is this sufficient if I replace it like for like? Also as we are having to spend a lot on refurbing the run are the wooden storage boxes from Ikea good for nxting boxes just with a layer of hay in them? Most seem to be wooden but am worried about hygiene as I presume they will need cleaning? Many thanks.

[sjp]

you don't need to insulate. not a fan of lino on a wooden floor as it tends to trap damp plus it's a hiding place for red mite a good layer of horse bedding is good enough personally I use a wood chip one

as for nest boxes a plastic storage box or washing up bowl will work or if you've got room a cat carrier

[emmalou]

Ok thanks. I am a little concerned we are quite exposed and the winter does get very cold indeed. As far as the nesting box goes if I use a washing up bowl should I clean this and replenish with fresh hay once a month? I am unable to find out about the nesting box and hygiene.

[Cat tails]

It really depends on your chickens habits. I have a nestbox sleeper, so have quite some sand and poop in there. Ideally I should clean it twice a week, but once a week is must. They do bring in lots of sand, chuck out lots of netsing material. So once a month sounds a bit long...

 

I use woodchips as hay and straw can harbor mites, fleas and such.

[Olly]

I wouldn't be too concerned about the cold, they need housing that is dry of course and draught-proof, but hens cope well with cold temperatures. I agree about the Lino, it sounds like a good place for red mite to hide.

[emmalou]

Ok thanks, so if I remove the lino and just lay woodchip? Or replace with new lino?

[Cat tails]

I have newspaper in the poop drawer and woodchips in the nest box.

 

Maybe you can look for a metal drawer (the kind that is often used in wooden coops). This you can then line with newspaper to make cleaning much easier. Else your s"Ooops, word censored!"ing poop from the lino.

[emmalou]

Ok thanks. It is an older homemade coop, so don't have the luxury of pull out drawers for cleaning, although is a brilliant idea and so much cleaner. Funnily enough I have been looking for one but cNnot find such a thing. We have a palacial coop so will need to be quite inventive!!! I am interested that you use wood chip in the nest boxes. Do you use straw at all in the coop? I may just ve to opt for newspaper in the bottom. Do you empty the drawers daily of the newspaper and woodchip?

[Cat tails]

I do it once a week. Depending on the weather. Sometimes I do it twice a week if it has been either very hot or very wet.

I take 3 sheets of tabloid folded and space those over the drawer to get some overlap. Saves a lot in cleaning time.

[sjp]

straw isn't recommended mainly because it's hollow and can harbour mites and it can also be dusty which isn't good for poultry

just a point on draught free that doesn't mean no ventilation which is a must as condensation can be really bad in a poorly vented coop

[emmalou]

Brill thanks, so just wood chip in the nest boxes and then newspaper and wood chip on the floor area, is that right? I have read about shredded card for nest boxes??

[Ursula123]

I use dust extracted small animal bedding in my nest box, I buy from local farmers shop, and like cat tails I use newspaper in the pull out trays - saves so much in cleaning time. It gets changed every couple of days but I do have 8 hens in the cube which equals lots of poo!

[Cat tails]

I use dust extracted small animal bedding in my nest box, I buy from local farmers shop, and like cat tails I use newspaper in the pull out trays - saves so much in cleaning time. It gets changed every couple of days but I do have 8 hens in the cube which equals lots of poo!

 

I only have 3 bantams so, much less poo!

 

No woodchip on the floor. It would only encourage them not to roost on the roosting bars. Just plain newspaper.