Coop design feedback

[21hens-incharge]

Proof of this here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/another-reason-to-build-a-full-height-coop-run.1484191/

Also, height is your best friend when it comes to ventilation since it enables you to put the vents well up above the roosts -- allowing a free flow of air without risk of feather-ruffling drafts on the roost.

Yup thinking of your injury every time I read a height that can lead to things like that.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yup thinking of your injury every time I read a height that can lead to things like that.

It was messy and painful, but, ultimately, not particularly serious since I got prompt medical attention and had no infection. Also, given my extremely thick hair, any scarring that resulted was not disfiguring the way it would have been if I'd caught my forehead or for a person with a different hair texture/growth pattern.

I keep sharing it in hope that people will avoid creating conditions that could lead to a much more serious injury.

 

[ChickenOfSpades]

I am feeling better this morning and better able to see details like this.

If you expand to 8x12 you will not only give your birds a little extra elbow room (or allow for a little storage space), you will find it easier to build because lumber comes in multiples of 4 feet.

You can get 6-foot boards easily enough by cutting a 12' in half, BUT that10-foot measurement means cutting 2 feet off every 12-foot board and throwing it away.

8x12 uses the boards as they come with no cutting and no waste while giving the birds more space. Win, win, win.

8x12 would be nice, but I just don't have the space, unfortunately. For now I'll only have 4 chickens, so I planned space for 6 to give them more elbow room and have some contingency space...that said, I won't have more than 4 for the foreseeable future (if ever).

10 feet is a common off-the-shelf lumber length, but a bit of cutting isn't a major concern.

 

[saysfaa]

Most of what I would say is already said.

I noticed the ramp is pretty steep and still takes a lot of space. You might consider 1 to 3 steps instead. Alternatively, a landing porch or bigger pop door if your breed can isn't silky, frizzle, or massive.