coop help

[jpmor1]

I'm in the process of building a shed that I was going to put a coop in. I'm planning a big covered run next to it. Do I need an internal area too? Can I just put the roosts outside in the run? What about the nest boxes? I'm in Louisiana, so it doesn't get very cold. Space is not an issue either way.

 

[jpmor1]

Ok, so I just saw another thread on here that asked the same question. It seems most people think the coop provides protection from predators. I was planning to build an enclosed run that is predator proof, and leave it open to the coop. If I want the coop to provide extra protection, I'd have to close it every night, right? If I'm confident that the run is predator proof, can I just make a smaller coop and leave the door open all the time?

 

[chfite]

Chickens need shelter, food, and water. If you have that, then you're set.

Chris

 

[showbarnmom]

If your run is covered and predator proof, a coop is going to provide protection from the elements. You can make something that is 3 sided with a roof that contains their nest boxes and some roost. Or even just a roof to get out of the rain. My horse trainer uses a covered coop and just has nest boxes up off the ground. I have a coop with lockable doors and covered windows because my run is open and the coop is their predator protection.

Hope that all makes sense.