A-frame (ark) coop question

I built a catawba a-frame last year.

cons
Heavy and needs wheels
when it gets wet the wood swells and the doors dont open and close very well. (I recut all the doors this spring)
The specified screws where not long enough at certian steps (I reinforced the coop this spring)
The hens sleep in the nest boxes a lot and it was a constant battle to train them to keep them out and not have poopy eggs. (I working on moving the nest boxes to be part of the doors, the entire top will be all roost)

pros
Good Use of space
Neat look
Secure

I have an A Frame coop and I like it but I wish it was taller i have to stoop to get in and stay stooped over and turn around stooped over. Its a bit of a pain when cleaning, I get out with a sore back lol.
The design is fine its just not tall enough.


The roost is now on and its above the nesting boxes. the girls like it but my back doesn't lol

Still have sand the older boards and stain them with poly. Then trim out the 2 windows and bolt on handles and wheels

Hey there fellow Flagstaff-ian!
I had almost the same question a while back when I was trying to figure out what to do for a grow out coop for the newest babies-

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=302348

I came very close to doing the A-frame in post #10 in that thread, but then somehow hubby volunteered the back part of our current shed be remodeled into a coop (still need to start that BTW!) so don't need to now. And can now have EVEN More Chickens-yay! I was thinking about making the coop floor more like 5x4 or 6x4 to make it roomier. Looked pretty easy to do w/ minimal materials.

Let us know what you decide.

I wish I would have found this sooner. I built an A-frame ark and I am not real happy with it yet. It is heavy and it is hard to get into the bottom of it. I don't know about the roost and nest boxes yet, because we aren't there yet. My kids like it!

I am new here and new to the chicken scene. I have never had chickens in my life, but do vividly remember eating yummy fresh home grown eggs at my grand parents place when I was a child and would like my kids to have the same experience. I am planning to have a few hens in my backyard and was looking at an a-frame coop.

What do you folks think of the following?
handcraftedcoops.com/large-portable-chicken-coop
(sorry as a new poster, I can't add the full web address)

They suggest it will fit up to 5 normal hens - I plan to have up to 4 (I'm thinking Easter Eggers).

My would appreciate some responses on the following:
1) Would the two nesting spots be enough for the 4 hens? Would they be smart enough to figure out the nesting vs roosting areas? Also, would the two nesting spots be sufficient for 4 hens. What if all 4 hens needed to lay hens at the same time?
2) I am hoping to have it portable and move it around my backyard every few days, with the intent being that I let nature do the cleaning and also not having to worry about damage to my lawn. The specs say that this coop as 32sqft run space. Based on this, how often do you'll think I would have to move the coop to keep it clean and to prevent excessive damage to the lawn?
3) I have a lot of predators in my area - Coyotes, hawks, owls, snakes and pets (dogs/cats). I was thinking of adding wire mesh to the base of the coop to prevent predators from breaking in. Is this a reasonable approach or do I have other options. Again, I want it to be portable.
4) Any suggestions on how people handle extended absences, such as vacations?

Thanks
Marlon

Red lines show 2 roosts.... one on right is where newborns or bantem chills at night and one of left (2x4) is where big chickens hang out at night. Beyond the light on the bottom is where they often nest or above that area on same level as roost.)currently closed off for babies to hide in. During the day the hens sit along opening to ladder and watch below as wind comes up at them.

Quote:

I like it, makes me want to build another coop!