Coop design inside ideas?

[GoldenBlossoms]

The thickness of the plastic doesn't matter, it's the transparency letting light in that will build up heat inside. It's called "the greenhouse effect" for a reason, and can heat up a greenhouse even in winter. You'll need more than just ventilation if you use clear plastic - you'll need to leave one whole side open, like people do in tropical climates.


Very good point - thin plastic will leave your birds vulnerable to everything that wants to get in.

I'll talk to my bf since the greenhouse was his idea, I'll be showing him this thread so maybe we can rethink our new coop. I have never had a greenhouse before (my bf has in the past) so this is good info before we finish it.

 

[pac]

The first thing I thought of was some kind of shade netting.
The second thing was either pavers or a lot of medium sized rocks around the perimeter to deter digging from the outside in.
Maybe some plywood all around the bottom 4ft high to add protection?

You guys might be better off using it for a greenhouse and looking into "hoop coop" if you want a big airy design on real ground.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Since spring seed starting time is here in my area I took a look at my greenhouse.
We had a wind storm and I found a panel was completely blown out and is broken.

I would say without a doubt it is not secure against predators. The plastic can be pressed on and pop out.

 

[saysfaa]

...ideas for the inside for the chickens. Like maybe a bookshelf they can make nest boxes in, or chairs? Any and all ideas welcome...

Bookshelves can work but most bookshelves are not deep enough. It might work better to find containers between about 12"x12"x12" and about half again that big in any or all directions.

Then look for something sturdy to set them on. The floor will work is you don't mind bending down to collect the eggs and you still have a minimum of 4 sq ft per chicken of floorspace without counting the space taken by the nests. Chairs might work for that.

This link is a very old thread that has lots of ideas for creative nest boxes. If you want to go very simple and/or practical, that is okay too. The chickens won't care how creative the nest boxes are.

They need roosts, nest boxes, waterers, feeders, grit cup, oyster shell cup, and open floor space (even if the coop is used only for sleeping and the nests).

A poop board under the roosts works well but isn't essential. A storage area is very nice. So are double doors so you can walk through one, shut it, then open another one into where the chickens are.

If they might have to be in the coop for more than a day or so, like for a severe storm, then a place to take a dust bath is good.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Use plywood on the frame specially the tops and walls 6x 8 sheets like 8 of them.