Advice appreciated

[aart]

their main predator will be my 80+ yo dad

Hot Wire

 

[rosemarythyme]

The coop part of that coop/run combo is pretty small, might think about making it all coop.
Need to see the inside to advise on how to do that.

x2. Even with just 3 birds, they'll be much happier and more inclined to use the coop if you can open up the entire thing as a coop.

So to turn it from 2 small "boxes" (tiny coop above tiny run) into 1 bigger "box" you'll want to remove as much of the inside coop wall as possible, plus the floor. Take out the old roosts too.

Nests might be able to stay as is, or may need to be relocated elsewhere or replaced - depends on the structure of the coop and how things inside stack up once done.

Run a new roost(s) lengthwise across the newly open space. Ideally you’d like 12” per bird but 10” can suffice in many cases.
Board up some of the external wire walls so that the roost area is protected from winds and rain. Do NOT fully cover up all the wire, you need ventilation and natural light, so at the very least a few inches under the roofline should remain open. If your climate allows for it, you can leave entire walls open with just the mesh, or make it convertible for the season by covering up open walls for winter, and then uncovering for summer.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

@aart @cluckmecoop7

Thanks for the tag!

Well, that dirt looks awesome! Like @black_cat said, they will love to scratch around and dustbath in it. Although they might want a taste of greens once in a while.... and I'm not sure if you are planning to free range or not...

Anyway, good luck with whatever you do!

 

[BonBonG]

Hot Wire

 

[BonBonG]

Thanks for the tag!

Well, that dirt looks awesome! Like @black_cat said, they will love to scratch around and dustbath in it. Although they might want a taste of greens once in a while.... and I'm not sure if you are planning to free range or not...

Anyway, good luck with whatever you do!

Ty. Yes will add some grazing boxes and some other plants for them to get into. I’m hoping their designated chicken yard will be an oasis to them and they prefer to stay there rather than everywhere else in the backyard. (Yes I kno. I’ve been told I’m dreaming with that idea). But we don’t have any other plants in the yard except for mature trees along the side.... feeling nervous. Lol

 

[BonBonG]

x2. Even with just 3 birds, they'll be much happier and more inclined to use the coop if you can open up the entire thing as a coop.

So to turn it from 2 small "boxes" (tiny coop above tiny run) into 1 bigger "box" you'll want to remove as much of the inside coop wall as possible, plus the floor. Take out the old roosts too.

Nests might be able to stay as is, or may need to be relocated elsewhere or replaced - depends on the structure of the coop and how things inside stack up once done.

Run a new roost(s) lengthwise across the newly open space. Ideally you’d like 12” per bird but 10” can suffice in many cases.
Board up some of the external wire walls so that the roost area is protected from winds and rain. Do NOT fully cover up all the wire, you need ventilation and natural light, so at the very least a few inches under the roofline should remain open. If your climate allows for it, you can leave entire walls open with just the mesh, or make it convertible for the season by covering up open walls for winter, and then uncovering for summer.

That was a premade coop and it came in panels. So I could remove the wall panel with the door (that the ladder attaches to) and close the run walls. The “floor” of the coop is the metal pan liner that pulls out like a drawer. ..

Could I leave it as is, structure wise, but just close off the mesh walls in the run and add a long roost bar length wise? That way they have the option to go up into the coop and in the nest boxes or stay in the converted run area?

As is: the coop is 4ftx3ft and 55” tall and the run is 8’ total.

ty and I appreciate your help!!

 

[Nigel27]

Wire baskets or chicken wire domes over plantings are great to keep them from getting uprooted. Three chickens should be a breeze. Just lock em up where you want them for a couple days and only feed them where you want them to hang.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That was a premade coop and it came in panels. So I could remove the wall panel with the door (that the ladder attaches to) and close the run walls. The “floor” of the coop is the metal pan liner that pulls out like a drawer. ..

Could I leave it as is, structure wise, but just close off the mesh walls in the run and add a long roost bar length wise? That way they have the option to go up into the coop and in the nest boxes or stay in the converted run area?

You could try it that way... it's very hard to give specific advice per coop as obviously I don't have it in front of me to look at the structure. With just 3 birds that may work out fine (more birds would definitely require that you gut the inside, as you'd need the space). The main thing is to make sure you have enough roost (around 12" per bird) and ventilation once you're done.