Coop Design Question - converting part of a dog house

[lcamilleri]

Hi Everyone,

I have been reading and lurking for awhile now and am finally ready to build my coop. My husband and I build a dog house last year and raised it off the ground to give the dogs somewhere cool to lie in the shade. The dog house is too far away from the humans for the dogs liking, so they don't use it as much as I had hoped. I am looking at enclosing under the dog house for a coop. My plan is to put wire on the front 2/3 and enclose the last 1/3 section in timber for protection from wind/rain. I will have a fenced in run attached as well that they can go out in during the day. I was looking to put a concrete floor in the section I will enclose in timber to allow for easy cleaning unless someone would suggest something else. I haven't worked out what I will do for nest boxes yet.

I am a complete novice with regards to owning chickens so thought I would ask everyone's thoughts on my ideas. Oh, if it matters, I live in a tropical climate, so cold isn't too much of a concern. It might get to just on freezing for a week or two in winter overnight, but the rest of the year is nice and warm.

I am attaching a picture of the current dog house. Measurements are included to give idea of size (or the adult weimaraner at 40kg is a good scale model). And yes, as I will freely admit, my dogs are VERY spoiled!

Thanks in advance,
Laura

 

[rendezvous1838]

That is a great start! The chickens will love it without any change, other than a predator proof fence around it. They will like the dirt to roll around in and it is pretty easy to rake up the poo. IMHO skip the concrete. It looks like the porch railing will be fun to roost on. You will find lots of raised coops (including mine)

You on the otherhand, would like a nest box on the side so you can get the goodies without crawling in, and a large door to reach in and clean up. The raised design is awesome for that purpose.

 

[lcamilleri]

the top half is going to remain as is for the dogs, so it will only be the underneath section for the chooks, with their run going from the dog/chicken house to the shed in the background. Sorry if I wasn't clear with my plans.
I did wonder if the ground would be suitable as is, with perhaps straw in the enclosed section so appreciate the feedback. I was planning on a full timber door that I can open to clean the coop, would like external mounted nest boxes but depends on level of difficulty to build.