Advice and opinions needed please.

[pennyJo1960]

I think this will fix the issue of door size. It still allows the full door to be opened for cleaning purposes. At the same time I can open just the small door to reduce wind and cold in the winter.

I think you did good but as far as the door job use
the small one most the time like how you did it

 

[aart]

How big is that dog house/coop...about 2' x 3'...maybe 3'x4'??

Too small for 4 birds..... and to ventilate properly.

Nice craftsmanship on the door(s), clever and nicely executed.
Those latches won't stop a raccoon tho.

 

[RustyC]

It is roughly 3x4. I may end up adding on to the other side as well. How do you suggest I add ventilation?

 

[Rod-T]

It is roughly 3x4. I may end up adding on to the other side as well. How do you suggest I add ventilation?

For 4 birds it's recommended 16 sq,feet . So your 4 sq feet short..
Perhaps you can a acomomadate that by a partially covered run

 

[MeepBeep]

It is roughly 3x4. I may end up adding on to the other side as well. How do you suggest I add ventilation?

I'm going to assume your roosting perch is over the nesting boxes?

If so i would put two roof jack vents on the opposite roof (or dormer that opposite roof and put some screened windows up high) and then cut out two low vents on bellow the perch, front/back...

Roof vents like this unless you dormer...

https://www.menards.com/main/static...lant-back-metal-roof-vent/p-1444423373343.htm

This allows air to flow through the coop but not across the perching area assuming it's above the nesting boxes...

 

[aart]

Putting a roost just above the nests and 12" from wall(standard spacing) is going to put it almost smack dab in the middle of the 'coop',
right in the path of proposed ventilation stream...which might be great in summer, but terrible in winter.
Let alone that they won't barely have enough room to get up and especially down from roost.

It's just..... too small....better to put your building skills into a larger coop.

 

[Cheep N Peep]

The roof vents/tin copulas are great to have, although I wouldn't leave that as your only source of ventilation. Side vents or holes drilled under the protection of the roof lip, as high on the wall as possible (like where the roof peaks) work well together.

Exterior grade oops paint from Home Depot is usually inexpensive, with lots of room for experimentation (pour in some not quite gray, a little of this yucky purple..a splash of this white... ooh, pretty). Always stir the paint well and make sure the wood is thoroughly coated. Painting a lighter color inside helps protect the wood inside and bounce the sunlight around a bit.

Great job on the door! It looks super cool and well done. The locks are not predator proof by any stretch of the imagination- any raccoon or possum should be able to easily open that door. Spring loaded hook and eyes are good replacemants or additions (since those bolts also help pull the door to the frame in bad weather, wheras hook and eyes re more jigly). Can you add another doore opposite the nestboxes? In my experiance the more access you have the easier it is to clean (and more willing you will be to do it).

Windows are a great idea, especcially if they open. They let in light for seeing and laying, air for hot summer days. You can make one out of plexiglass and a wooden frame, and to make it open, add hinges.

Last thought. The coop is too small for four chickens. Two or three would be better. To grow your coop, you could take off the wall opposite the nest boxes and extend it out a few feet, taking off that side of the roof and leangthening it as well, making the coop 4x5 or 4x6. Do not do anything to decrease the space you have- feeers and waterers should remain outdoors or in the third nesting box. Make sure chickens can walk under the roost(s). Clean frequently. Chicken wire is not predator proof- any hungry animal can rip it with teeth and claws, so do not think you can make a 100% safe run with this stuff. It only contains chickens.

 

[MeepBeep]

Putting a roost just above the nests and 12" from wall(standard spacing) is going to put it almost smack dab in the middle of the 'coop',
right in the path of proposed ventilation stream...which might be great in summer, but terrible in winter.

OP lives in Kansas where there are mild winters while the roof vents by design don't really let a 'stream' of air to flow across the birds, thus the suggestion... But, I will admit it's not optimal, just what was adaptable to said design...

Let alone that they won't barely have enough room to get up and especially down from roost.

It's just..... too small....better to put your building skills into a larger coop.

That I agree with, it's too small for 4 birds as designed...

 

[RustyC]

So here's an update for everyone that had given me advice. I finished the run with the exception of the roof which I plan to be a solid roof to completely shield from the elements. The run is 14' long, 10' deep and 6' tall. I know the coop being only 12 square feet is a bit small for 4 birds, but that is why I'm covering the run completely so it's secure and adding more roosting areas in the run. I have added ventilation to the peak and the front and the lower corner in the rear. I hope is adequate ventilation? My plan in the future is to turn my shed that the run is attached to, into a complete chicken house. Doing what I can with money as I go. Hopefully everything is large enough to accommodate 4 chickens until I get the shed finished. Below is a pick of the girls right now in the basement. Thanks again for all the advice from everyone. If you see something else I should change soon, please let me know.

 

[Cheep N Peep]

It looks great! The run also looks awesome, but don't expect those weeds to last very long once the chicks start liking greens. The thing with ventilation that you have to remember is that if there isn't enough, you can always add more with a drill and bit. The shed (or only part of the shed) will make an awesome coop, and you can add to your flock. The doghouse coop could be your 3-bird silky flock in the front yard (wink wink, nudge nudge) when your shed renovations are over, or a sick bird coop, or a broody momma coop.