As requested: my coop and run for feedback, ideas, and pointers on what to do next

[ManicTulip76]

This is my modified coop and run.

Last year it was roughly 23 ' x 23'

and the coop was a design and plans I found on the web:

It was big and my wife was largely unhappy with the color and the pen. So I have followed her guidance on this build. She wanted smaller and the ability to access the eggs without having to go into the pen.



Next steps that I am actively working open for the pen:

-adding 3' of chicken wire to fan out from the base
-adding 3 "rings" of wood fortification:
>top ring @ 2 x 6"
>middle ring @ 2 x 4"
> Bottom ring (ground contact) @ 2 x 6"
-seal top with more live stock wire or hardware cloth
-paint dark green


Wife is ok with adding an automatic door within the pen area to the coop, any recommendations? No budget restraint really, I have ran a 120v line to the coop for a heatlamp so we could theoretically use a hardwired door

Im ok with adding on more or even adding height to the modified coop if you all think that would help.

My flock:
3 Olive Eggers
3 Production reds
aged about 2 weeks old

The last flock we had of 4 chickens was able to be free range as we have retired neighbors and we never had any issues with predators during the day, only at nighttime a very persistent raccoon finally got in.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Slightly confused... is the top 2 images the current set up or the bottom 3 images? Neither set up shown is predator or pest proof but it sounds like you're aware of that, though I'm not sure if your planned additions will fix the issue.

Not sure what the wood fortification ring is, do you have an image of what you're thinking?

I don't see any real ventilation in either coop build. Are there windows or vents on the side that we can't see?

 

[janiedoe]

You are going to need a much larger coop with 3 to 4 sq ft per hen..so about a 4x6 coop not including nest box space. You need at bare minimum 1sq ft of hardware cover (always open) ventilation per hen. I don't see how you can get 6sq ft of ventilation in that coop and that is extremely important for their health.

 

[ManicTulip76]

ok, so some criticisms but Im not sure what actionable feedback Im supposed to be taking

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hard to advise further without answers to the above questions.

 

[janiedoe]

ok, so some criticisms but Im not sure what actionable feedback Im supposed to be taking

You mentioned raising the roof up? What are the dimensions of your coop? Is there any venting under the eves?
We aren't trying to be mean, I promise, just trying to help you have a healthy flock. Without good ventilation they will be susceptible to respiratory ailments and frost bite in the winter. Without adequate space, not only will they be susceptible to ailments, but behavioral problems and stress as well.
@DobieLover can you make some suggestions?

 

[ManicTulip76]

so as it stands the roof is removable (and actually has been so I could modify it to add ventilation as you all are suggesting. Everything Im reading is that coop doesn't need to be taller than 2 feet with about 12" being the mid point for the roost.

as of now, the door embedded the fence side is being removed and I will begin adding nesting boxes (3 to be exact)

Today I spent most of the day fortifying the pen and I am almost done.


I guess Im confused on the coop and the recommendation for a larger size since all they will be doing is sleeping in it. They will be free range, I think I mentioned (and apologies if I haven't mentioned here) that my flock was free range before and will be again, largely because my neighbors are retired and spend a lot of time outside and in they gardens with the chickens so they are largely protected during the day. It's just foxes and raccoons at night.


My last flock barely used any of that larger one and that's why we chose to shrink it. Since they will be roaming out and about as long as the 6 have plenty of space to sleep I need help understanding how to modify it if it's not sufficient.

I will post photos tomorrow of my pen so far

 

[rosemarythyme]

Everything Im reading is that coop doesn't need to be taller than 2 feet with about 12" being the mid point for the roost.

My last flock barely used any of that larger one and that's why we chose to shrink it. Since they will be roaming out and about as long as the 6 have plenty of space to sleep I need help understanding how to modify it if it's not sufficient.

Multiple reasons (which may not all apply to you):
- Sometimes birds need to be confined to the coop due to weather or predators
- More space makes it easier to integrate new additions
- Because chickens can still pick at each other on the roost, more space = more peace in the flock

As far as coop wall height more vertical space gives you better overall air volume and makes it easier to add ventilation (as you've noticed) and gives you more wiggle room for roosts. And taller coops are generally easier for humans to work in, whether for maintenance or for handling chickens.

 

[janiedoe]

so as it stands the roof is removable (and actually has been so I could modify it to add ventilation as you all are suggesting. Everything Im reading is that coop doesn't need to be taller than 2 feet with about 12" being the mid point for the roost.

as of now, the door embedded the fence side is being removed and I will begin adding nesting boxes (3 to be exact)

Today I spent most of the day fortifying the pen and I am almost done.


I guess Im confused on the coop and the recommendation for a larger size since all they will be doing is sleeping in it. They will be free range, I think I mentioned (and apologies if I haven't mentioned here) that my flock was free range before and will be again, largely because my neighbors are retired and spend a lot of time outside and in they gardens with the chickens so they are largely protected during the day. It's just foxes and raccoons at night.


My last flock barely used any of that larger one and that's why we chose to shrink it. Since they will be roaming out and about as long as the 6 have plenty of space to sleep I need help understanding how to modify it if it's not sufficient.

I will post photos tomorrow of my pen so far

I'm not sure who would say 2' with 12" overhead. That might work for bantams but not for standard hens, they'd be beating their brains out trying to get on the roost. Definitely raise the roost and give them a foot of verticle space below the ventilation areas.
I live in a mild climate, we do not have much of a winter but we do get heavy rains several times a year. They need a place to get out of the weather so I stand by 3 to 4 sq foot each in the coop. If you put a solid roof on your run, you could get by with less. Also you will need a covered area for feeders and waterers, so a covered run could help tremendously, especially if you cover it in hardware cloth. That way they could have 24 hour access to the run.

 

[ChaosMom]

I'm not sure who would say 2' with 12" overhead. That might work for bantams but not for standard hens, they'd be beating their brains out trying to get on the roost. Definitely raise the roost and give them a foot of verticle space below the ventilation areas.
I live in a mild climate, we do not have much of a winter but we do get heavy rains several times a year. They need a place to get out of the weather so I stand by 3 to 4 sq foot each in the coop. If you put a solid roof on your run, you could get by with less. Also you will need a covered area for feeders and waterers, so a covered run could help tremendously, especially if you cover it in hardware cloth. That way they could have 24 hour access to the run.

I asked here once about roost and roof heights, and was told 18” above the roost for the actual chicken, and another 12-18” added on to that before the ventilation starts to avoid drafts, and then the height of the actual ventilation.

Ventilation good, drafts bad.