TSC Coop/run modification/design thoughts?

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@Cryss I'm not sure where I read to waterproof it, but I thought it was in small print somewhere. I also read the reviews at tsc - so I knew what I was getting into.
I used regular Staples - well construction type, but not poultry Staples.
 
Here is a modification that I put in to help during the winter. I will be removing it in the spring. I added a plexiglass/acrylic window pane to the coop door. This will allow me to leave the door's window open all winter to maximize light in the coop. I mounted it in a way that left a gap at the top to allow ventilation, while minimizing drafts and rain getting in.

plexiglass.jpg


Since the plexiglass won't have hard duty, you can get the cheapest/thinnest sheet for the job. Be careful if you put any screws into the dark grey panel on the left. It is very thin and it is easy to drill/screw through it into the sliding door. Also, you'll need a short screw so that you don't block the sliding door. I always recommend pre-drilling the wood before inserting screws to minimize the chance of splitting.

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For anyone that has never worked with plexiglass/acrylic before, here are some suggestions. It isn't hard and doesn't require specialized tools. Here is a link to the sheet I bought at Menards for the job.

1- Doing simple straight cuts on plexiglass is easy. You can use a specialized laser cutter or saws, but it is actually easy to simply score (scratch) the plexiglass and break it along straight lines. Be sure to try this on an unused corner of the sheet before doing the main break. The video shows how to use an inexpensive acrylic knife, but I did this with a basic utility knife.

2- Putting holes into the plexiglass is fairly delicate. If you do it wrong, you can easily crack it or have the drill slide and create a nasty scratch. Be sure to practice first on a scrap piece.
 
No. I'm concerned about cutting off too much ventilation. I'm looking to add some type of awning over the back window to keep water out while keeping the window open.

The way my coop is setup, the door is on the side of the prevailing winds, so I was very concerned about wind and water getting in and so added the plexiglass there.
 
Trust me sell it get what ya can back and build one that will last. There a hunk of crap. Any money you put into it will be waisted. After a few years you’ll end up rebuilding most of it your self.
 
Rob Tof said:
Trust me sell it get what ya can back and build one that will last. There a hunk of crap. Any money you put into it will be waisted. After a few years you’ll end up rebuilding most of it your self.
Click to expand...

Whenever I see this as advice, in my opinion it’s pawning a problem off onto someone else. Those of us who have prefab coops are making the best of them. I’ve read they can last a year or more. The money I’ve put into it is no different than any other coop I would have bought or built. From what I’ve read, even the best built coop is only going to last 8 yrs or so - maybe more maybe less.

If I get 1yr out of the coop, it is serving its purpose.
Not all of us can build. I live in an area where there are many nice coops for sale - Amish built. But, they are pricey. I wasn’t sure at the time how much I really wanted chickens and so this coop is perfect as a starter coop. I’ve seen many coops up for sale from people who decide they didn’t want to keep chickens anymore. And, like a used car, you never really know what problems you might end up with getting a used coop. Most likely updates to suit your situation will be needed as well.
Also, many people have kept the prefab coop for a brooder coop or isolation.
This thread is for those of us who have or will be modifying this model or even one similar.
 
L2fly said:
I know I'm not alone in buying & putting together a TSC coop/run before completing all my research, but as it is a good fit for my backyard, fit the budget, and my goal is only to have 3 chickens anyway, I've decided to keep it, with some modifications for safety and coop space, and maybe extend the run at a later date. (And it will all get a good paint job!)

Here is the coop:




I'm beefing up screen security by adding washers and screws at all corners and 12 inch intervals, and will also go back through with heavier staples:



Every door, in addition to the two barrel locks already there, will get a carabiner locking the middle. So there will be three separate locks on each door.

I'll lay down 1/2 in hardware cloth over the entire floor (that I have left over from another project), and staple to the 4x4s.

I'll install a battery operated motion detection light on each side.

I've also realized that my coop itself is a bit small. It is 9 sq feet, but that included the 3 nesting boxes (which, after reading this board, I realize I only need one box for my 3 girls). Plus I read that the roosts should be higher than the nests, and the stock roosts were only about two inches higher than the nests, wasting a lot of vertical space. (I should add, with our mild weather, my plan is to make the entire coop/run combo as bomb-proof as possible, and let them have access to the run 24/7).



So, I've taken out two of the nesting boxes, installed a partial, sloped cover over the last nesting box for more privacy, and installed a new removable roost in a sort of diagonal across the coop, about 12 inches from the floor. This gives them headroom on the roost of about 12 inches at the sides, and 22 inches from the peak in the roof. (I'll also be cutting down the board in front of the two nests I removed.)






Thoughts from experiences chicken keepers on the above modifications?

My main concern with the coop is, in this small space, will they be able to fly enough to get to the roost a foot from the ground?

TIA!
Click to expand...

Looks great!!! I am actually all about prefab coops. I currently have 4 coop, 3 of them prefab coops from tractor supply. I am actually looking at getting this one in the spring for my new chicks. I have had chickens for 8 years, 5 of those years I have been using TSC coops. Given a little love and a few modifications they really make good coops.

You did a wonderful job on this one!! :wee
 

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