seeking design advise

Looks like you have a very good starting point with that shed. A few things to think of. The roost boards. It looks like you are using 1" boards. You might want to consider going with 2X4"s. With a 8' span, if your birds all decide to roost on one board, that board is going to sag, and will need to be replaced sooner, rather than later. 2X4"s hold up waaaay better.

Also, with the roost boards. How far are they from the back wall, and how far apart are they? You want to be 18"s or so from the back wall, and apart from each other. If the roosts are too close to the wall, the chickens will crap all over it. Gotta have a little space. And if the roosts are too close to each other, the unfortunate ones on the lower roost, will receive the same treatment as the back wall.

Think about making the roost boards removable, for cleaning or whatever. In my coop, the roost boards sit in notches, so they are easily removable.

You say you want to keep the feed and water outside. It's a good idea to keep water outside for easy access for the chickens. But give thought to keeping the feed inside the coop. Feed, especially when the chickens get done knocking the feeder around outside may draw rodents. Not to mention the free meal you'll be giving the wild bird population in the area.

Ventilation, of course, will have to be improved. If that was my coop, I would build (If the coop has double doors) A couple of hardware clothed screen doors for it. The more fresh air you can get in there the better.

The Blackjack is a good idea. I used it in my coop, and it's holding up well going on 6yrs.

I would hang the roosts with joist hangers by making a T out of two 2X4's on the east wall

Thanks, Jack---yes, I agree the boards should be 2X4's, but this is what we had and we plan on adding supports to the both of them. They are removable right now and i agree they need to be away from the wall a few more inches. Since it'll be a few months (I'm guessing) til they'll be getting up there, we have time to modify them. I'm just not sure we have the whole 18 inches you suggest. It's definitely something to ponder and rethink. We haven't installed the actual poop tray yet (it's something to be purchased), but I'm thinking we can move the roosts a few more inches like you suggested and there will be a bit of an overhang on the brooder there.

And I just re-read my original post where I said I'd be keeping the food and water in the run--I meant to say I'll be keeping them in the coop. Our neighbors had a rat issue because of extra food in their run and that's the last thing i want. I have a 5 gallon bucket with 6 horizontal nipples attached for the coop, and am planning on hanging a feeder from the rafter to keep everything tidy.

As far as the screen door, I WISH! This was my idea in the beginning, but my husband said it's too much trouble, blah, blah, blah
I'll get him to come around, though. He is going to cut a couple more windows out in the coming weeks--one on the north side and one on the south side. I've come to realize ventilation is just about the most important thing, as far as a clean non-disgusting coop.

P.S. Thanks for the BlackJack suggestion and advise over the years because I read just about every post on here about it that's why we chose to go with it. Seems like a no-brainer for people with a plywood floor that want to use the deep litter method, like us.

I just finished painting the newly upgraded roost, poop board, and ladder my husband built yesterday along with the inside trim for the 3 windows he cut out. Still have to hammer in the 1/4in mesh for the windows, but I'm so glad I asked for advice and had him provide more ventilation.

We're using the deep litter method and will spread about 4 (?) inches of pine shavings on the floor.

Pop door with a pulley that leads to the covered run that's the same size as the coop. Yes, the window was cut out and the 1/4in mesh attached BEFORE I decided to paint with Kilz. I'm still thinking about putting up trim around the floor of the door(s), so the pine shavings stay inside the coop.

Two new windows on the north side, directly across from the pop door and other window. We're still brainstorming ideas on how to cover these, so they can be shut in inclimate weather---haven't decided if we want them on the inside or out...

I plan on moving the chicks, now 9 days old, into the brooder out here and continue with the MHP. It's set on temperature setting 3 (out of 6--I have the Sunbeam one) and I have the window they're living under opened today because it's a sunny and beautiful 66 degrees and I want to get them used to being a bit cooler since I'm kicking their fluffy butts outta here in a few days. They're happily eating and chirping, pooping and scratching, flying from the top of the MHP cave to the other end of the box with their newly sprouted wing feathers making me a little nervous. All is well and only 1 got the pasty butt, which was sad and gross. I'm going to miss having them close by, but I cant wait to get them outside!

Good news on more ventilation!!!......watch to be sure rain isn't coming in your new windows.

aart said:

Good news on more ventilation!!!......watch to be sure rain isn't coming in your new windows.

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I'm thinking awning...

I agree awnings. They work wonders at keeping the wet out and letting the air in.
I like the new upgrades they got. Nice work.

Like you said, with 4" of shavings on the floor, you will want a 1 x 4 or 1 x 6 across the front of the door to keep the litter in. You can always make it removable to make your clean-outs easier.

FridayYet said:

Like you said, with 4" of shavings on the floor, you will want a 1 x 4 or 1 x 6 across the front of the door to keep the litter in.  You can always make it removable to make your clean-outs easier.

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Oooooohhh, removable ones! See, this is why I love posting my questions.