TSC Producers Pride Defender 2020 Version

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC and the wonderful world of chickens.

Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

The top priorities are predator proofing the run with 1/2" hardware cloth at least around the bottom several feet of the wire and adding an anti-dig apron and VENTILATION.

The usual guideline is to have at least 1 square foot of ventilation per adult, standard-size hen -- which can be difficult to achieve with these prefabs. If you live in a hot climate and your coop is not located in DEEP shade, you'll need considerably more. I find that here in central NC I need at least 2-3 times the normal recommendation to keep the coop under 100F on a 90F day.

The ventilation needs to be located above the bird's heads when they're sitting on the roost, creating airflow that looks like this:

Since this coop has no roof overhangs you'll need to put awnings over the vents after you cut them out.

You might be able to achieve this by cutting an appropriate number of inches off the entire wall at the top and bottom of the roof slope, covering the opening with 1/2" hardware cloth, and using the piece you cut off to make the awning (caulk the join with exterior-grade caulk or it will leak).

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Ventilation is definitely the hardest problem to fix with this setup. You need several square feet of ventilation at a minimum but it needs to be done in a way not to create drafts for the birds while on roost. Maybe the panels over the doors could be swapped out for hardware cloth? If it gets very hot where you live, you will likely need a lot more ventilation which is a challenge with the design. You might think about a whole wall being hardware cloth, especially in summer. Space is also going to a bit cramped in the coop during bad weather. You only need a couple of nest boxes for 5, so you could take out the extras to make a bit more floor space. Sounds like you already have plans for a hardware cloth apron and that’s important as well. With a little bit of creativity, there are certainly ways to make this a usable setup and the large run certainly helps if you make it predator proof. Since the coop is on the smaller side, I’d also consider covering the run as well for shelter on rainy days.

All great suggestions! Thank you, the way the panels are all put together I think it’ll be difficult to make walls into just hardware cloth. I was thinking of cutting some holes on the front side and placing air vents with hardware cloth to assist. Not sure what kind of air vents or if anyone has suggestions on that. The run will be covered as well. I like the idea of taking out 1 or 2 nesting boxes as well.

 

[3KillerBs]

Not sure what kind of air vents or if anyone has suggestions on that.

This is one of the times that it would be very helpful to know your general location because climate matters a LOT for this.

Also detailed photos of the construction of the coop, both interior and exterior.

If the run is going to be roofed then sawing out the majority of the upper, run-side panel and replacing it with hardware cloth should be viable. You might need to add reinforcing lumber in order to do that -- perhaps sandwiching the panel edge and the wire edge between trim boards.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Welcome to BYC and the wonderful world of chickens.

Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

The top priorities are predator proofing the run with 1/2" hardware cloth at least around the bottom several feet of the wire and adding an anti-dig apron and VENTILATION.

The usual guideline is to have at least 1 square foot of ventilation per adult, standard-size hen -- which can be difficult to achieve with these prefabs. If you live in a hot climate and your coop is not located in DEEP shade, you'll need considerably more. I find that here in central NC I need at least 2-3 times the normal recommendation to keep the coop under 100F on a 90F day.

The ventilation needs to be located above the bird's heads when they're sitting on the roost, creating airflow that looks like this:

View attachment 3128183

Since this coop has no roof overhangs you'll need to put awnings over the vents after you cut them out.

You might be able to achieve this by cutting an appropriate number of inches off the entire wall at the top and bottom of the roof slope, covering the opening with 1/2" hardware cloth, and using the piece you cut off to make the awning (caulk the join with exterior-grade caulk or it will leak).

Im located in Maryland, so I get some pretty hold and cold weather. The coop is located under some nice tall trees so it’s almost 100% shaded while leaves are on the trees. Interesting about vents at the top and bottom, I’ll have to look into that. There is just one vent on the backside currently which I’ll post a pic of.

 

[Brooks_]

Not sure what kind of air vents or if anyone has suggestions on that

Most that have done it just used the cloth.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

This is one of the times that it would be very helpful to know your general location because climate matters a LOT for this.

Also detailed photos of the construction of the coop, both interior and exterior.

If the run is going to be roofed then sawing out the majority of the upper, run-side panel and replacing it with hardware cloth should be viable. You might need to add reinforcing lumber in order to do that -- perhaps sandwiching the panel edge and the wire edge between trim boards.

I’m located in Maryland so get some decent heat and cold. I’ll attach more pics I have.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Most that have done it just used the cloth.

How do people typically cover that in the winter?

 

[3KillerBs]

Im located in Maryland, so I get some pretty hold and cold weather. The coop is located under some nice tall trees so it’s almost 100% shaded while leaves are on the trees. Interesting about vents at the top and bottom, I’ll have to look into that. There is just one vent on the backside currently which I’ll post a pic of.

Deep shade is good. Heat is much more dangerous to chickens than cold is.

But you still need that minimum of 1 square foot per adult, standard-size bird to remove moisture and ammonia and it needs to be at the roof level because heat and ammonia both rise.

The problem with the roost level vents is drafts. A cool breeze across the roosts is OK on a hot summer night, but in the winter it ruffles their feathers and steals their heat:

And without roof-level venting the ammonia and moisture still build up.

How do people typically cover that in the winter?

You don't.

You still need ventilation in the winter to remove moisture.

Chickens tolerate DRY cold down to at least 0F when acclimated, but wet cold can cause frostbite even just barely below freezing.

I’ll attach more pics I have.

I'm going to stare at those pictures and think for a bit.

 

[Brooks_]

How do people typically cover that in the winter?

They don't. As long as wind is not blowing directly on the chickens, they are fine to very low temps.

 

[Thomaswgordon]

Adding ventilation would be a priority. Your planned apron is also a priority. It is likely too small for five. If the run is at least 50 sf and your climate will support that they can go out every day all year, it could work.

I’m hoping the coop itself is good for 5, I’ve heard of people holding 10 in this same coop. The run is a 10x10 and will be covered