Coop Improvements/Recommendation Help?

[ChickenMathLady]

I finally found a decently cheap coop that was fairly well built but I'm thinking it will need a few upgrades. I know it needs a run and I have a bunch of chicken wire and hardware cloth that they threw in with the coop. I'm good enough with a screwdriver and a staple gun so I knew building my own wasn't an option right now but I think I can modify this one a bit.

Possible problems and fixes:

• The nesting boxes are fairly high, but I'm thinking I could put them underneath where they currently are.
• The roosting bar is next to the window... if I move the nesting boxes, I could put the roosting bar there.
• There's a top panel for ventilation and I think it will need hardware cloth stapled to cover it. They had a plexiglass panel for the winter and it slides out for the summer but I want it secured too.
• The coop door doesn't have a latch on it yet, so we need to get one.
• The kinds of latches these are on the side of the main door.... predator proof or no?

I have chicken wire and hardware cloth in abundance. Is chicken wire enough for burying for a no-dig border or do I need it to be hardware cloth?

Helpful suggestions and recommendations are very welcome!

 

[aart]

How big is that...about 3x3x5'?
How many birds do you plan on having?

Mounting the nests on exterior would free up some floor space.

predator proof or no?

No.

I think it will need hardware cloth stapled to cover it.

Staple gun won't be enough, unless it's pneumatic with 3/4" staples.
Screws and washers are the way to go, IMO.

Welcome to BYC! @KCzarnik
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[ChickenMathLady]

I'm from Michigan as well! Yes, the measurements are right about there. We're allowed 3 hens at the most. My Dad has plans to convert an old playscape into a larger coop by the fall so that we can winter-proof it but this will get us closer to being able to have the chickies a little sooner if we can fix it up.

I'll have to check with my Dad on his staple gun. I know the thing hooks into the air compressor and packs a punch but I'm not sure if that would be the right size. Lots of screws and washers though so that can be easily done for the hardware cloth.

I didn't think the locks looked like something a raccoon couldn't figure out, thank you for confirmation.

@aart do you think that's enough ventilation to have the top and side windows? Would we need more vents in the front? The coop sits in the shade of our garage but still.

 

[aart]

I know the thing hooks into the air compressor and packs a punch but I'm not sure if that would be the right size.

That'll work, that's pneumatic, might need to adjust PSI so it doesn't break the wire.

@aart do you think that's enough ventilation to have the top and side windows? Would we need more vents in the front? The coop sits in the shade of our garage but still.

I only see the one window, shade will help but the more ventilation the better, just got to protect is from rain.

 

[ChickenMathLady]

There's a window in the top underneath a plastic sheeting. That's where I'm planning on adding the hardware cloth. The side window already has a layer of it sandwiched between the wood. Might be a little hard to see in the pictures.

 

[aart]

There's a window in the top underneath a plastic sheeting. That's where I'm planning on adding the hardware cloth. The side window already has a layer of it sandwiched between the wood. Might be a little hard to see in the pictures.

Oh, that's good!
I wondered about the plywood ceiling under the clear corrugated roof.
Maybe get a better pic when you get the chance.

 

[ChickenMathLady]

Here's the view from the top and the inside. There's an extra clear piece that they used on top of it in the winter (it slides on between screws) but it's definitely not enough for predator-proofing. Second picture is the inside view.

 

[aart]

Just tack up some HC on the inside.
I'd actually be tempted to make the hole bigger.
Definitely leave it open all winter, good protected ventilation place for ammonia laden air to escape the coop.
Maybe use that piece of plastic to make a top hinged window, or two, for more summer ventilation.