Ideas?

awholland

In the Brooder
Apr 1, 2016
23
0
22
NC
My husband bought me a chicken coop and some chicks for our anniversary. He was going to build the coop himself but time was running short so he bought this model from TSC (http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/precision-pet-orb-country-classic-coop). I am trying to figure out ways to make it more functional for me and my chickens. He did add a custom built run to it and I let them free range in our fenced in back yard during the day. They "put themselves to bed at night" but here are a few things I am experiencing about the coop that I need to fix.

1) They like to sleep in the nesting boxes. I know this is a common issue, but with the way the area inside the coop is designed, the roosting bars are about the same height as the nesting boxes. Some things we thought of doing are figuring out a way to raise the roosting bars and making "inserts" for the nesting box area (such as putting a box within the box). I'm afraid they will never lay eggs in the nesting boxes if they continue to sleep in them.

2) The coop is designed with a slide out tray that is supposed to be for ease of cleaning. I use pine shavings on that tray and when I try to pull the tray out shaving just get piled up and I have to shovel them off.

Here is a picture of my actual coop and run.

 
Well, now he can build a bigger coop..... in time for point of lay or at least winter....and this one will work great for growing out the next batch of chicks.
big_smile.png


Those prefab coops, sigh, they just don't function well, are often not weather tight, and are advertised to hold more chickens than is healthy. They'll still lay in the nests even after sleeping in them.....eggs will be poopy tho.

Some folks have modified them to work OK, but many build large coops and use these for grow out, broody, isolation/hospital coops after fixing any weather tight issues.

Sorry to be such a debbie downer.

It's so sweet that he got you chickens for your anniversary.

This search might help you find some solutions:
advanced search>titles only>pre fab coops
 
Those prefab coops, sigh, they just don't function well, are often not weather tight, and are advertised to hold more chickens than is healthy. They'll still lay in the nests even after sleeping in them.....eggs will be poopy tho.

true.. when you can.. build your own chicken coop/run

but if you have to buy.. try craiglist or costco

costco has some nice chicken coop.. reasonable price when comparing to other retailers


costco coops










vs petsmart


 

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