Amazon Run/Tractor Supply Coop

[NagemTX]

I'd ditch the cinder blocks since you said the apron is already staked down - the blocks could cause pests to dig at the edge of the block which only has a few inches of HWC past it, and find their way in, versus digging at the edge of the run and being unable to find the edge of the apron.

Agreed about expanding the coop to use up the entire prefab space, not mini coop + mini run. The birds are still small now but they'll be much more tightly packed once they've grown, plus that coop doesn't look to have much (if any) ventilation which will be essential in a hot climate.

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 or widthwise across the newly open space, depending on how much roost is needed. 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.

Example of a modified prefab: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

Don't ditch the blocks, they will keep the run from blowing over in a strong wind. Know this from experience with this type of run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Don't ditch the blocks, they will keep the run from blowing over in a strong wind. Know this from experience with this type of run.

There's hurricane tie downs or something no? Something less bulky and designed specifically to handle stronger winds.

Either that, or extend the apron further around to cover at least 18" out beyond the blocks to compensate.

 

[NagemTX]

There's hurricane tie downs or something no? Something less bulky and designed specifically to handle stronger winds.

Either that, or extend the apron further around to cover at least 18" out beyond the blocks to compensate.

You can, but I don't. I use maybe 4 cinder blocks. Two on each opposite corner right up against the frame.

Hurricane Anchors cost more than the blocks he already has.