Clever tips and hacks for the coop?

[Sinful chick]

Aww they are funny! Take your time and be careful, can you get any help also? I am kind of like a bull in a china shop, just want everything done instantly -.- its annoying!

ExACTLY!!! I make myself mad!! haha!

 

[Morrigan]

I hate the idea of poop boards and do not use them. I use 1X2 welded wire under the roost. Most poop falls through to the ground. Every few weeks what doesn't fall through by itself gets brushed through with a deck brush. My coop is fairly small (5X5) and is elevated about 2 feet off the ground. This works very well in my climate, but my chickens spend no time in the coop except to roost or lay eggs. View attachment 1329600

How big are those openings? I like the idea, but I would think openings big enough to allow droppings to fall through easily would be big enough to allow mice, if not, weasels inside.

 

[heatherwk]

I'm learning every second, here! 5X5 is ok for 2girls and 2 boys? And, that is nOt accessable for predators?

Check this for more info: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/number-of-hens-to-coop-run-size-ratio.1233930/

I have had chickens for two years now and still learning everyday
There is also a lot of tips on here about predators on the pest section.
Do you already have chicks or waiting til you have finished?

 

[imnukensc]

How big are those openings? I like the idea, but I would think openings big enough to allow droppings to fall through easily would be big enough to allow mice, if not, weasels inside.

As I said earlier, the openings are 1X2. I don't have any weasels to worry about and I'm not worried about mice or rats. I keep no food or water in the coop and I have a cat that is death to mice and rats.

 

[Sinful chick]

Check this for more info: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/number-of-hens-to-coop-run-size-ratio.1233930/

I have had chickens for two years now and still learning everyday
There is also a lot of tips on here about predators on the pest section.
Do you already have chicks or waiting til you have finished?

I Have 2 hens and 2 roosters that are staying in a dOg kennel at night for now

 

[Morrigan]

As I said earlier, the openings are 1X2. I don't have any weasels to worry about and I'm not worried about mice or rats. I keep no food or water in the coop and I have a cat that is death to mice and rats.

Sorry, I missed seeing the dimensions. You are lucky not to have weasels! They are a huge problem in my neck of the woods.

 

[PirateGirl]

I do not have a walk in coop, so if you do not go with walk in, I recommend a human access door on opposite sides, this way you can easily reach/access all part of the coop.

If the coop is raised off the ground, add a good human access panel to the below coop section. I'm constantly reaching in with a long stick or shovel to try and retrieve the feeder when it gets kicked under or the wind blows it around.

 

[aart]

Hi all, we plan on redoing our coop and entire garden/yard really so was wondering, what clever tips or hacks did you do in your coop that have made things easier/better or wish you did.
Can be small or big. I'm going to draw up the plans tonight and the hacks are my favourite bit really.
Thanks all.x

I've got all the bells and whistles I need, found them by doing extensive reading here while planning my coop over about 6 months...don't really think of them as 'hacks', tho my construction techniques are somewhat 'hack and slash'
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

 

[Foster's Freehold]

Think about doing deep litter at least in the coop. Saves so much time, effort and you get wonderful compost at the end of the season.

Protect against the predators prevalent in you area. A yard of woven wire or hardware cloth can save lives.

Think about your keeping style. I'm a lazy keeper, so they can go in and out the pop door without me opening it up in the am. I keep all my food stuff and water jugs at the feeding station outside, drop in feed, pour water, mix, let sit til next day. Feed. Actually, I make about 3 days at a time. There is always water inside the coop they can get to. Turn your bedding every so often, helps keep the bottom dry and chickies like to scratch at it for goodies.

If you don't have water near the coop, invest in a couple of the 5 gallon kerosene jugs to use. Nothing worse than being in the middle of the mornings chores and discover no water.

Make your water automatic. That way you can fill a big container and it lasts a couple of days.

If you go with dry feed, try to make it as tight a container as you can. Either they will bill out a lot of it, or just straight up spill it. This attracts vermin and raises your feed bill. Never leave food out overnight uncovered. It will attract vermin and predators like possum and coons.

Build a table of some sort. Nothing like carrying out a bottle of water with you while you watch chicken TV, setting it down, and go to pick it up but it's been knocked over and rolled in poo.

Think about your wind direction. You don't want any air moving directly over your birds. They can handle lots of cold, but if they are wet or damp, they will lose heat to the air. Vents on the north side, low down, are great for summer, it brings in cool air to flow up and carry the hot air out of the coop. Have a cross breeze for summer too. Make them coverable for winter time.

Good luck, take pics.