Newbie here, and I feel like I feel into a big trap. A trap that is known as "store bought" coops. It looked adorable. It boasted being capable of holding 8 chickens in the coop/run, and for just shy of $150 on sale. What a dream come true, right? Wrong.
I have three Black Australorps. Two hens and a rooster (about 8 or 9 weeks old). I already feel as though this living arrangement will not give everyone the space they would ideally enjoy, and cleaning this thing SUCKS. The entry door has to have been designed for a little person (no offense, just stating facts here), the ramp is fastened in a manner that prevents it from moving to clean behind it, and the roosts are barley off the bottom of the inside of the coop. What sort of chicken was this designed for anyway? Not to mention, we live in Ohio so a deep litter method would be my preferred cleaning method, and even that can't be achieved with this thing. We get what we pay for I suppose.
Hard life lessons learned.
I've decided that the current coop could make an awesome bachelor pad for our wee little roo for his teenage years. I want to build a pallet coop for the ladies, and for the additional 3 hens we plan on getting next year (yes, I know, we're already hooked ).
Anyway, here is my rough sketch of the plans. I want to put nest boxes on the back of the coop, to leave the door one slab off the bottom to allow for deep litter, the "hole" in the sides of the roof will help with ventilation (will add wire to keep out predators and chickens in), and add a run off the front for lounging about when I'm not home to supervise free-range time.
All advice/suggestions/tips are welcome. This includes where to add roosts, poop boards, windows, money saving tips, anything! I want my babes to be happy, healthy, and have room to flourish with their additions next year. Below are my "rough" plans. Thanks in advance, and I appreciate all of your help!
P.S. Sorry for the awful drawing/explanation skills in my sketch
I have three Black Australorps. Two hens and a rooster (about 8 or 9 weeks old). I already feel as though this living arrangement will not give everyone the space they would ideally enjoy, and cleaning this thing SUCKS. The entry door has to have been designed for a little person (no offense, just stating facts here), the ramp is fastened in a manner that prevents it from moving to clean behind it, and the roosts are barley off the bottom of the inside of the coop. What sort of chicken was this designed for anyway? Not to mention, we live in Ohio so a deep litter method would be my preferred cleaning method, and even that can't be achieved with this thing. We get what we pay for I suppose.
Hard life lessons learned.
I've decided that the current coop could make an awesome bachelor pad for our wee little roo for his teenage years. I want to build a pallet coop for the ladies, and for the additional 3 hens we plan on getting next year (yes, I know, we're already hooked ).
Anyway, here is my rough sketch of the plans. I want to put nest boxes on the back of the coop, to leave the door one slab off the bottom to allow for deep litter, the "hole" in the sides of the roof will help with ventilation (will add wire to keep out predators and chickens in), and add a run off the front for lounging about when I'm not home to supervise free-range time.
All advice/suggestions/tips are welcome. This includes where to add roosts, poop boards, windows, money saving tips, anything! I want my babes to be happy, healthy, and have room to flourish with their additions next year. Below are my "rough" plans. Thanks in advance, and I appreciate all of your help!
P.S. Sorry for the awful drawing/explanation skills in my sketch