Chicken Swing Set Castle Coop

[aart]

Nothing is on paper but it's in my head and in there, it works like a charm.

Famous last words.

 

[uktech]

Maybe your back feels fantastic

Nope, far from, and you make a very valid point hence why i haven't made a final decision yet. Issue is the kids swing back so far, it'll end up being a run that is 2 foot wide if full height. I'm sure the end solution will be functional.

Make sure to include a door on that ramp

This I had not thought about at all. Think you just saved me a lot of headaches with this gem. Thank you

Famous last words

no comment

 

[uktech]

So, taking all the feedback on board, I think we've collectively decided on how to move forward.

The nests are going to hang off the side under the stairs as kids liked the idea of being on the staircase and accessing the nests from there. Going with two nest boxes for 5 chickens (max 6) and hoping that should be enough...?

Entrance/exit for chickens is opposite the nests. I was told it had to be an egg shaped entrance so we all got our favorite plates and drew circles till everyone was happy
The gap under the henhouse is 18 inches high. Wanted at least 24 inches but oh well.

Ventilation
This was bugging me a lot so incorporated permanent ventilation over the top of all four hen house walls similar to how flat roofs have soffit ventilation. In addition to that, all four walls will have large windows, two of which you can see in the above picture. Not sure if I should use plexiglass on all the windows for loads of light, or use the wood from the cutouts and leave windows on one side only. Undecided. The roost bars should sit just above the nest entrance leaving plenty of headroom.

Make sure to include a door on that ramp of yours if you go with the U Turn idea.

I've adjusted the support beam for the front of the pen so that I can come up with a better point of access to the u-turn staircase for the chickens. Really glad you mentioned it.

Feedback is always appreciated.

 

[LateBirdFarms]

I've adjusted the support beam for the front of the pen so that I can come up with a better point of access to the u-turn staircase for the chickens. Really glad you mentioned it.

You won't regret it! Trust me! I'd show you mine butI havent figure out how to get at the middle yet to clean it!

Looking awesome so far!

 

[aart]

This was bugging me a lot so incorporated permanent ventilation over the top of all four hen house walls similar to how flat roofs have soffit ventilation.

Soffit vents are great, but they are usually under a roof overhang.
Does your 'roof' shed water well?

 

[uktech]

Soffit vents are great, but they are usually under a roof overhang.
Does your 'roof' shed water well?

I hadn't actually measured the overhang until now but here it is. There is no way rainwater can get into the henhouse through those, although I may get some soffit vent strips and fashion them on.

Whether the roof drains well, or not, is something I am going to wait and see when the rains begin. I did leave a 10 degree tilt and did a test with a hose pipe but that doesn't really count.

The original plan was always to put a pitched roof over the fort however the view up has been so gorgeous, it's a crime to roof it off. Kids spend time just laying up there watching the leaves. Plus it makes aircraft recovery procedures a little easier

Jury is still out but rain is forecasted for next week so time will tell.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Going with two nest boxes for 5 chickens (max 6) and hoping that should be enough...?

Not sure if I should use plexiglass on all the windows for loads of light, or use the wood from the cutouts and leave windows on one side only. Undecided.

2 for 5-6 chickens is perfect.

Well, I personally like a lot of natural light in a coop, though others find it more soothing to have it a little darker. But easier for me to navigate in a well lit coop. (Of course I say this and my coop is dark as heck in winter, since I didn't put a window facing south. )

 

[NatJ]

In addition to that, all four walls will have large windows, two of which you can see in the above picture. Not sure if I should use plexiglass on all the windows for loads of light, or use the wood from the cutouts and leave windows on one side only. Undecided.

Hardware cloth, to let in light and ventilation. If you want something solid that closes over it in bad weather, then plexiglass or the wood cutouts. But how bad does your weather really get? Unless there's a nasty wind blowing rain or snow right in, hardware cloth windows are probably fine all year. Between the trees and the fence, that location looks pretty well sheltered.

 

[uktech]

But how bad does your weather really get?

Although it is in a sheltered spot, there are plenty of storms with heavy rains/winds becoming more and more common. Hardware cloth is being used however I just don't want to end up adding too much light....if there is such a thing

 

[3KillerBs]

Hardware cloth is being used however I just don't want to end up adding too much light....if there is such a thing

I'm a relatively inexperienced chicken keeper, but my understanding is that there is pretty much no such thing as too much ventilation -- barring strong breezes directly on the roost in bitter cold weather.