Coop done - structure wise

[FloodFarms]

Cold climate people like 2 x 4s flat as roosts to help prevent frostbit toes. The chickens more easily cover their flat feet with feathers that way. You'll see plenty of posts of toes falling right off from frostbite. Survival in the north!

I see you are in NY. I’m in Western SC ... would I need to be concerned with this for my chickens? What temp is frost bite for chickens a concern?

 

[Alaskan]

If I flip the nest box 90 degrees ... wouldn't I have to raise it? I'm going to do DLM & just figured POO & confusion would come as the layers build. No?

It is fine to leave the nest box as is, so they jump in to nest. I used to have one like that and my chickens liked it, even when they had other options.

 

[Alaskan]

Cold climate people like 2 x 4s flat as roosts to help prevent frostbit toes. The chickens more easily cover their flat feet with feathers that way. You'll see plenty of posts of toes falling right off from frostbite. Survival in the north!

very true! wide perches are very important to keep the toes ON the bird. They do need more poo scraping than a skinny perch.. but not too bad, and definitely worth it.

 

[Alaskan]

If I put siding up on the inside too, how high should I go? I have more & thought I could put it inside without the overlap to block chickens from getting to the plastic. I asked about the plastic in a different post but no one mentioned anything (but I ask a lot of questions in my posts too)

not sure the best way to go...

the chickens will eat the plastic if it isn't covered. .. if you don't cover it tightly dirt and rodents will get in...

 

[Alaskan]

I see you are in NY. I’m in Western SC ... would I need to be concerned with this for my chickens? What temp is frost bite for chickens a concern?

when you get close to zero. The more humidity you have the more of a problem you will have.

 

[Birdsong 82]

I’ve dealt with frostbite one time and I live in Virginia. Acclimates are almost the same probably a little warmer where you’re at. The only reason I believe the frostbite happened is because my rooster refuses to sleep in the henhouse he likes to sleep on top of it. Otherwise I don’t think he would’ve gotten frostbite On his comb. But it was only on his comb nowhere else. It’s important not to keep water or anything that would create moisture in the coop. I have two roosting polds one is a 2 x 2 in one is a 2 x 4. My chickens have kept all their toes so far. It probably isn’t as much of a concern where we live versus colder climates states. Making sure there is no Moisture in the coop is the important part. But I will have to agree if it’s larger than a 2 x 4 you will definitely be scraping poop off of it. I’m usually scraping poop off my 2 x 4

I see you are in NY. I’m in Western SC ... would I need to be concerned with this for my chickens? What temp is frost bite for chickens a concern?

 

[Birdsong 82]

But I do love the siding on your structure. Looks pretty awesome. We are in the Process of building a larger coop ourselves but ours is just boring old red and white. Love the wood though. Just out of curiosity why is the plastic on the inside? Is there insulation behind it?

 

[Birdsong 82]

And by just looking at the framing in your picture you look like you have a darn Sturdy coop going on. If I built something and it turned out looking like that I would be very proud. How many chickens do you have?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I see you are in NY. I’m in Western SC ... would I need to be concerned with this for my chickens? What temp is frost bite for chickens a concern?

I sure hope not. Let's trade states and see what happens! Snowed here yesterday. I was just explaining the reasoning for flat 2 x 4s. I think they are equally comfortable on wide branches or flat boards. Skinny branches could be too unstable. But you are fine anywhere in between.

Please explain the plastic thing better, not enough caffeine yet.

 

[Dmontgomery]

You coop has a great design. The live edge siding is beautiful. I’m going to assume you put the plastic up to “insulate” the walls and avoid drafts. You shouldn’t need it since you overlapped the siding. I wouldn’t add siding over it, just take it out as much as possible, or they will shred it.
The windows over the roosts are high enough that frostbite shouldn’t be a concern, plus the ventilation around the roofline on the front and back should be plenty sufficient.
If you flip the laying boxes on their sides, definitely raise them a few inches to accommodate the DLM. Just make sure the top of the box is well below the roost height or they will end up sleeping on the box.
One 2x4 is plenty of room for them to sleep on. Remove the one closest to the wall.
You’ve done a good job. If you end up with problems, you can always go back and make modifications later. You will always find little tweeks you want to make.