Feedback wanted

I would reconsider the placement of the roosts relative to the human door. It looks to me that you'll basically be walking right into roosts and that any access to the far end will be impeded by the roosts.

I would probably put a single long roost the whole width of the coop now.

Personally, if space allows, I would prefer that my birds not have to walk under the roost (and potentially through any poop underneath them) to reach the nest boxes. It makes for cleaner eggs. Since the plan is now for a walk-in coop, I too would eliminate the trays and install a poop board under the roost. It does a couple things. Firstly, it contains the poop for easy removal. Secondly, if constructed with a sturdy front lip, it gives the birds an intermediate height to hop up to when they go to roost. Lastly, with the majority of the poop contained and a clear line from the pop door to the nest box, eggs will not be dirtied by poopy feet.
 
The rotation of the roosts as suggested looks as if the hens would need to go under the roost to get to the nest box. That would make the chances of dragging poop into the nest much higher. To me this is not a great idea. More chance of dirty eggs.

The latest iteration of walk-in coop and run shows a lot of thought. The nest boxes don't seem to be too high.

I would eliminate the trays and use linoleum on the floor and a poop board unless the trays are quite deep. I've seen the shallow trays. When they are pulled out for cleaning much of the bedding is scraped off onto the floor and must be swept up or the tray won't slide back into place.

I put my feed and water on brackets against the wall/door which frees up floor space and keeps the feed/water clean. Pictures in my coop article,
 
The rotation of the roosts as suggested looks as if the hens would need to go under the roost to get to the nest box.  That would make the chances of dragging poop into the nest much higher.  To me this is not a great idea.  More chance of dirty eggs... 


...I would eliminate the trays and use linoleum on the floor and a poop board...


But along with the recommendation to move the location of the roost, I also recommended the installation of a poop board to catch droppings. This is a full height coop now so a shelf-like poop board installed 8-12 inches below the roost and above the height of the pop door would make for easy cleaning and the entire rest of the coop would be (relatively) poop free. The birds would have a clear shot to the nest boxes.
 
So did I...and also offered an alternative to place the nests on another wall.

...and suggested rethinking the trays with the change to a walk in.
I use single sheet vinyl flooring and it works great!


I was confused by your comment that the birds would get poopy feet with my setup. You we're correct that if reorienting the roost was the only change the birds would end up walking through poop more. I hadn't recommended doing that without also installing an elevated poop board for just that reason. And for some reason I thought you were recommending a poop board or deep trays on the floor.

That's what I get for posting before having coffee.
 
Quote: LOL have more coffee ;-)
It was SNJchickens that made the poopy feet comment
The rotation of the roosts as suggested looks as if the hens would need to go under the roost to get to the nest box. That would make the chances of dragging poop into the nest much higher. To me this is not a great idea. More chance of dirty eggs.
 
Aha! Dawn comes over Marblehead (Massachusetts) - raised poop board. Sorry to be so dense.

I got my sheet vinyl flooring free at a local floor shop. The owner donated an 8x8 piece that had been sitting around the storeroom. I had considered that the sheet vinyl would not hold up but it has done a great job. Easy to clean. Looks nice.

My window glass was also donated by a local merchant. We built the window to the size of the glass!

I do like the new design for the coop and run and I foresee some happy hens in your future.
 
I see you decided to go with walk-in!
I do think you will look back and be glad you decided to do this. I see everyone has given you some great suggestions, so...get that coop ready!!!
smile.png


If I remember correctly you wanted chickens for a reason similar to "pets with benefits". Now for some FUN STUFF!!
IMO a walk-in made it easier for me to brood in the coop. I had room to make a corral to block off an area to keep them out of the corners for a couple of weeks. I also had room to take a small stool inside and just sit with them. This helped us all to get used to each other. After a couple of weeks I took out the corral, blocked off the nests and let them have free reign of the coop, they explored every nook and cranny and made themselves at home. I also let them out to the run at about 3wks. (summertime), I could take my stool or a chair in there, walk around and let them just be growing chicks ~ chasing bugs, taking a dust bath, they would come up and interact with me. When it's warm I still like to take a chair and sit with them in the run. Some want to sit on my knee, others just want to be close but not held, but they all want some type of interaction. They do talk to you and I think you will get a kick out of them.
I always wanted chickens, but I just didn't know how much joy and fun they could bring.

@aart has a good article on brooding without a heat lamp
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate

Can't forget @Blooie and her mama heating pad
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/brooding-with-mama-heating-pad
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom