Keeping Chickens Newsletter

Inside are two feeders, so I don't have to refill often, and an 8 gallon enclosed waterer sitting on a heated water platform. The enclosed waterer keeps the liquid water from evaporating quickly, and I don't have to refill it more than every few weeks, and they always have adequate unfrozen water.

I like things to be as low-labor as possible. The coop sits on bare ground
and I use coarse horse-bedding shavings, 4-6 inches thick. I bed them using the "deep-litter" method - lots of shavings, new added as necessary as the old litter composts and shrinks, and regularly stirred up with a long-handled three-prong garden fork. This aerates the litter and keeps it composting in place - the chickens stay warm and dry and the coop doesn't smell.

That's all - I thought you'd enjoy seeing what I did with your very useful coop plans."