Can I make this coop 2 stories?

[lazy gardener]

No matter how you cut it, your coop is only big enough for 6 chickens. I would advise against making it 2 level. Short coops are beasts to work with, they lack enough cubic feet of space to allow for good ventilation. I would bump out one wall of that coop, and model it after the Woods style coop. The add on section could be predator proofed with a full skirt, and be left with a soil floor. I would also hang the nest boxes outside the coop. No matter what you do, you need a minimum of 4 s.f. of open floor space per bird.

 

[lazy gardener]

Ventilation recommendation: 1 s.f. per bird OR equal to 10% of floor space.

 

[Hamiam]

Hi I have 5 chickens right now but want to get a few more, so I wanted to know what you all think as far as making more space. The coop is tall and less then a year old so I don't think I can extend it other then making a second floor? Would that give more space? Its just over 6 feet by 4 feet. I wish I would have just made it bigger, but we didn't know any better. Here are a few pics of the coop and the run. Also I wanted to cover part of the run if not all, whats your advise on that? Thanks. View attachment 1240047 View attachment 1240051 View attachment 1240052 View attachment 1240054 View attachment 1240055 View attachment 1240056 View attachment 1240058

Welcome to BYC! Please add your location to your profile so it will show under your avatar. That would help determine if more ventilation is necessary. I just don't see how you could build up.

 

[dazzleme]

Do you mean that little bit of light coming from under the roof in photo #2? And you close that door at night, right? If so, you need a lot more ventilation.

Its both sides of the roof. Pretty good gaping. You don't think that's enough? Here is a pic from outside the coop looking in through the gap.

 

[lazy gardener]

At most that space is about 2" x 6' x 2 sides = 2 s.f. Nope. That's not enough ventilation! It's a start, but not enough.

 

[Hamiam]

Its both sides of the roof. Pretty good gaping. You don't think that's enough? Here is a pic from outside the coop looking in through the gap.View attachment 1240126

I'm concerned that it's not covered with hardware cloth to keep predators out.

 

[nminusyplusm]

Its both sides of the roof. Pretty good gaping. You don't think that's enough? Here is a pic from outside the coop looking in through the gap.

What are the dimensions of the gaps? Lazy Gardener is right about ventilation: 1 sq ft per bird or 10% of floor space. It doesn't look like nearly enough to me.

 

[dazzleme]

At most that space is about 2" x 6' x 2 sides = 2 s.f. Nope. That's not enough ventilation! It's a start, but not enough.

That's good to know. Thanks. I thought I needed more but my husband said it was enough.

 

[dazzleme]

I'm concerned that it's not covered with hardware cloth to keep predators out.

We don't have any predators. I had ducks before chickens and their coop was completely enclosed and even buried in about 4 inches. We never had anything try to get in and its been two years. My neighbors have said the same, their birds are all fine and haven't ever had anything get them.

 

[dazzleme]

As far as covering the run, would you recommend a roof all the way or just most of the area?