chickmamato7
Songster
I'm thinking I need to build a bedtime roosting area before winter, as my roo is getting pretty large & I'm worried my flock of 7 will soon outgrow their current sleeping arrangement (images 1 & 2).
My first plan was to build a ceiling mounted roosting box along the upper half of the sided wall (image 3)... but after bumping my head on my hanging roosts for the hundredth time and giving myself a black eye, I have banned all hanging obstacles that require me to duck!
Plan B: I have a nice sheltered area adjacent to the existing run/coop that could be used to build a large wooden coop with nesting boxes and multiple roosts. It has an existing outdoor light and plug, is watertight and sheltered (with ceiling already in place), and has easy access from an exterior door, so I wouldn't even need to shovel or step in any snow during winter! (images 4, 5 & 6)
Any ideas on the best way to convert this hot tub area (roughly 8' X 12') into an awesome coop? The open side (with the curtain) is facing west & the left side (with lattice) backs to the existing coop/run and faces north. Window w/siding area faces east, and railing side (near door well) faces south. I was thinking of leaving the lattice side as is and just installing an automatic door opener to connect the two areas. I am interested in design ideas centered around convenience, proper winter warmth & ventilation, & guarding against rodents and predators. It also needs to be fairly easy to convert, since I am more creative than handy. I do have a nice neighbor with some great tools, though, and he has offer to help.
Thanks for any experienced ideas and insights that you can offer so I can do this right!
My first plan was to build a ceiling mounted roosting box along the upper half of the sided wall (image 3)... but after bumping my head on my hanging roosts for the hundredth time and giving myself a black eye, I have banned all hanging obstacles that require me to duck!
Plan B: I have a nice sheltered area adjacent to the existing run/coop that could be used to build a large wooden coop with nesting boxes and multiple roosts. It has an existing outdoor light and plug, is watertight and sheltered (with ceiling already in place), and has easy access from an exterior door, so I wouldn't even need to shovel or step in any snow during winter! (images 4, 5 & 6)
Any ideas on the best way to convert this hot tub area (roughly 8' X 12') into an awesome coop? The open side (with the curtain) is facing west & the left side (with lattice) backs to the existing coop/run and faces north. Window w/siding area faces east, and railing side (near door well) faces south. I was thinking of leaving the lattice side as is and just installing an automatic door opener to connect the two areas. I am interested in design ideas centered around convenience, proper winter warmth & ventilation, & guarding against rodents and predators. It also needs to be fairly easy to convert, since I am more creative than handy. I do have a nice neighbor with some great tools, though, and he has offer to help.
Thanks for any experienced ideas and insights that you can offer so I can do this right!