Chicken Coop Run Help

[jthornton]

@jthornton

Any advice about this coop? Did you attach a run?

Don't make it! It looks cool but is not a good design. They don't have any ventilation on the plans

I attached my run with fence staples and enclosed the underneath with 1" welded wire.

The hinge down doors were horrible and I changed them to cabinet type of doors. You can see in this photo the plastic I covered the 1" welded fence with for the winter as a wind break.



If I knew as much as I do now, well I would have built a walk in coop. Hind sight being 20/20 the roof of the copula should have extended out more and the sides covered in 1/2" hardware cloth. The bottom door is covered in 1/2" hardware cloth and is only open in the summer. I did put 1/2" hardware cloth on the soffets of both top and bottom roofs... at least I guessed that part right.


JT

 

[8081808]

Don't make it! It looks cool but is not a good design. They don't have any ventilation on the plans

I attached my run with fence staples and enclosed the underneath with 1" welded wire.

The hinge down doors were horrible and I changed them to cabinet type of doors. You can see in this photo the plastic I covered the 1" welded fence with for the winter as a wind break.

View attachment 1285065

If I knew as much as I do now, well I would have built a walk in coop. Hind sight being 20/20 the roof of the copula should have extended out more and the sides covered in 1/2" hardware cloth. The bottom door is covered in 1/2" hardware cloth and is only open in the summer. I did put 1/2" hardware cloth on the soffets of both top and bottom roofs... at least I guessed that part right.
View attachment 1285067

JT

Thanks for the advice.

I had my mind really set on building this one haha.

I think extending the roof, changing the doors and adding window ventilation would be something I could take care of.

Could you elaborate on having to taken out the nest boxes?

I also chose this coop because the plans were free, simple and easy. I can't seem to find any free plans that are appealing to me. Do you know of any sites?

 

[8081808]

@jthornton what about droppng the floor a few inches to give more head height

 

[aart]

free, simple and easy

"Ya get what you pay for" haha! Sorry.

Most the coop plans out there, free and otherwise,
are about as bad in size and design as the prefab coops.
Do some searches, browsing, and reading here on BYC,
and you'll find that too small a coop can bring BIG problems.

It is a nice shape, attractive, and could be functional if they hadn't miniaturized it.
It's just too small, in all directions, to be very functional.
The monitor roof line can be excellent for light and ventilation,
if it had windows on the upper walls.

If you are adept at all at drafting/drawing,
you could take the plans and enlarge them.
I'd double them.

Good to learn about this first:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[PirateGirl]

Thanks for the advice.

I had my mind really set on building this one haha.

I think extending the roof, changing the doors and adding window ventilation would be something I could take care of.

Could you elaborate on having to taken out the nest boxes?

I also chose this coop because the plans were free, simple and easy. I can't seem to find any free plans that are appealing to me. Do you know of any sites?

Have you looked at the coop builds in the articles section of this website? Free! Also some are really well written and easy to follow.

 

[jthornton]

Could you elaborate on having to taken out the nest boxes?

I had two problems to solve when I removed the nest box, not enough height to get the roosts up higher than the nest boxes and not enough roost space for 10 chickens. I built it 4' x 5' x 30" wall height. It's enough space for about 12 full size chickens to roost in and nothing else. @aart has a good write up on height needs. So by moving my nest box to the run I got more space and proper height separation. All my chicken related photos are here. I used pocket screws to build the frame (so much easier than other methods) and screws for all the siding (makes changing your mind a whole lot easier).

Well lunch minute is over so back to work for me...

JT

 

[8081808]

@jthornton thanks

My goal is for 4-6 chickens.
Im still drawing up the plans but this is what I added so far:
Raised the overall height of coop to help with my run problem. Although I might have to change that if the ramp is too steep. What is a good slope for the ramp to the coop?

Lowered the floor of coop about 10 inches.

Added 3 windows on each side.

Changing door cleanouts to what you mentioned.

 

[8081808]

What do you think?
Coop is now 4x6 with a 16x8 run.
Rearranged some of the roof support so that there isn't two beams running across the top blocking head room.

Only have one roost in there at 20 in, would there be enough space for birds to get up and down if I made one perpendicular going towards the entrance.

Enough ventilation? Roofs have gable vents. and 4 windows on each side.

They will have access to under the coop for shade.

 

[aart]

Add nests and roosts...some dimensions would help.
Here's some height tips:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-should-stuff-be.73427/

 

[8081808]

I have the nest box in towards the back. I assume they like to feel private while laying. Is having the door directly across pu too much light on the nest?

Whats a good door size? Its 12x12 now

Ill put up more dimensions when I get home.