Building coop with a few questions

[sfischer]

Was planning to start building this weekend but it looks like rain here this weekend. I have a strange configuration in my yard that I am basically trying to fill with coop and run. My coop will be similar to the Purina coop but I want to create a planter out of the roof structure so I will keep it flat. One question I have is why are all the designed raised up so high? I have seen a few that are on the ground but not many. Also what is a good size for the opening the chickens use for access? 12x12?


Thanks

 

[bryan99705]

Your opening size is good, some folks go taller but chickens duck down easily. My birds will happily walk thru a 6X6 opening in a heartbeat.

The ideas behind raising the coop is for better airflow thus keeping things dryer, create more shade, to keep unwanteds from setting up house under the coop in the dark safe hole you have given them, for the additional security around the coop by having it inside the run and to use the run space most efficiently. Plus it gives you the possible opton of adapting the whole set up into a mobile tractor at a later date. As long as there is a ladder or ramp the birds don't care how high you go and if they get a porch or walkway coming out the coop, they will likely use it as a perch to sun themselves on

 

[sfischer]

Thanks Bryan. I have a tricky condition where the only place I can put the ramp is in the corner of the coop so I have to redo the framing a bit in the corner to adjust for access. Basically my coop forms a corner of the run so I need to figure if its worth keeping it open below by having it raised up.

 

[sfischer]

Also seems like most places arent suggesting 1 nesting box per bird but like the purina website shows them sharing nesting boxes. Is this normal?

 

[coop_da_ville]

sharing is normal, you can have 3 or 4 sometimes 5 that share the nesting boxes together. this should do you just fine, enjoy.

 

[sfischer]

Thanks for the info!

 

[BoltonChicken]

As far as the ramp goes, mine started flying in and out at about 5 weeks old and ignored the highly technical and artistic ramp I had
provided them. Now they kind of roost on it and look around.
As noted, you get more room raising the coop and leaving the underneath open for extra run and venting.

 

[bryan99705]

Trying to visualise your set up and thinking why not do a porch all the way across the entrance side of your coop. then you can ramp or ladder up to any point along the porch that is convienent. The birds can then walk from the ramp, across the porch to the entrance plus you've expanded your shade area underneath the coop?

Chickens and nesting boxes are a weird combination. I've currently got 6 layers and get 5 eggs a night and usually they are all in the same nest or maybe 1 is by itself. And there are 12 boxes to choose from

 

[chickmashnoon]

heheh, i always thought that they raised them up so high so that we didn't break our backs cleaning out the litter.

I guess ventilation is a good reason too

 

[sfischer]

Thanks for the feedback. Another question I have is the interior height of the structure. Is 3' tall inside enough?


Thanks