Coop is all but finished...any final thoughts?

[happylittlehens]

I agree. I would suggest at least a wooden cover/lid over the nest boxes and possibly even some privacy curtains (I've seen some cute ones made from pieces of feed sack). Hens really do like their privacy.

Hey BrittBergh! Finally someone on here who is within "spitting" distance of me! I drive down Hwy 53 and through Harvest most every day to and from work on the arsenal. Did you see/hear about that awful wreck this morning at 53 and Harvest Rd? We got turned around and had to back track.

Thanks, I think I will at least add a top to the nesting box. This may sound dumb, but how will the chickens know how to get in if there are curtains? Do you leave them partially open?

 

[happylittlehens]

I would say yes on the additional vents as warm, moist air always rises and you need good venting at the roofline to get rid of it, especially in winter when the other openings are likely to be closed or only partly open due to extreme cold.

Ok. How many vents would you suggest I have? I have 3 on the north wall that are about 6" x 6". Should I put 3 more along the south roofline and should I put any on the west roofline (where the door to the run will be)? Thank you so much for your help.

 

[happylittlehens]

I would add more ventilation on the outside walls, as the coop is inside a shed. (Box within a box). Also, I would make sure the shed itself (Outside box), is well ventilated. It may get kinda stuffy in there, if not properly ventilated. Plenty of fresh air is a big thing for the health of the chickens.
Jack

Thank you. I will be adding more ventilation to the coop itself. As far as the outside shed goes, the entire roof is raised off the base so there is about a 3-4" gap of open space around the entire roof area between the roof and the walls. Should that be enough ventilation for the outside shed area?

 

[RedneckGurl]

Ok. How many vents would you suggest I have? I have 3 on the north wall that are about 6" x 6". Should I put 3 more along the south roofline and should I put any on the west roofline (where the door to the run will be)? Thank you so much for your help.

As to the curtains, yes, that is what the one woman did. She put up half of the curtains so that only a portion of each nesting box was covered and so the chickens could get used to them. Once they were going in the nesting boxes regularly, she added the second half of the curtains and she says they just go right in.

As to the vents, I would say an equal number at each end to start with and if you find you need more you can always add them. Easier to add than take away in this instance I think. My "vents" are just going to be triangular holes at each roof peak with hardware cloth over them...nothing fancy. I also plan to leave the area open between where the top of the wall ends and the roof overhang begins (I'm sure there is a name for it but I don't know what it is) and just enclose it in hardware cloth as well.

 

[happylittlehens]

As to the curtains, yes, that is what the one woman did. She put up half of the curtains so that only a portion of each nesting box was covered and so the chickens could get used to them. Once they were going in the nesting boxes regularly, she added the second half of the curtains and she says they just go right in.

As to the vents, I would say an equal number at each end to start with and if you find you need more you can always add them. Easier to add than take away in this instance I think. My "vents" are just going to be triangular holes at each roof peak with hardware cloth over them...nothing fancy. I also plan to leave the area open between where the top of the wall ends and the roof overhang begins (I'm sure there is a name for it but I don't know what it is) and just enclose it in hardware cloth as well.

Great! We were just going to make circular holes along the roofline and cover with hardware cloth for the vents. But in the end we decided to go with manufactured vents that we can close, just in case it's too cold in the winter and we need to close off a few. Again thank you so much for the info!

 

[JackE]

Thank you. I will be adding more ventilation to the coop itself. As far as the outside shed goes, the entire roof is raised off the base so there is about a 3-4" gap of open space around the entire roof area between the roof and the walls. Should that be enough ventilation for the outside shed area?

That sounds good. I would not block any of those openings on the outside shed. Being that the coop is inside a shed, and well below those upper vents/openings, you should not have to worry about a draft on the chickens, But, a lot of stale air should be drawn out of the coop itself by those upper shed roof vents. In the Warmer months, you could have a hardware clothed "Screen" door as the entrance door, for the shed. That would allow even more fresh air for the summer months, but it would be secure from unwanted visiters. You can easily build the door with some 1X4"s and 1X6" pine lumber, sandwiching the hardware cloth in between boards. I built one for my coop. See the pic below.
Jack

 

[happylittlehens]

That sounds good. I would not block any of those openings on the outside shed. Being that the coop is inside a shed, and well below those upper vents/openings, you should not have to worry about a draft on the chickens, But, a lot of stale air should be drawn out of the coop itself by those upper shed roof vents. In the Warmer months, you could have a hardware clothed "Screen" door as the entrance door, for the shed. That would allow even more fresh air for the summer months, but it would be secure from unwanted visiters. You can easily build the door with some 1X4"s and 1X6" pine lumber, sandwiching the hardware cloth in between boards. I built one for my coop. See the pic below.
Jack

Great idea! Thank you!

 

[BrittBergh]

You're getting great help! Your chickens are going to be so spoiled and happy!!

I agree. I would suggest at least a wooden cover/lid over the nest boxes and possibly even some privacy curtains (I've seen some cute ones made from pieces of feed sack). Hens really do like their privacy.

Hey BrittBergh! Finally someone on here who is within "spitting" distance of me! I drive down Hwy 53 and through Harvest most every day to and from work on the arsenal. Did you see/hear about that awful wreck this morning at 53 and Harvest Rd? We got turned around and had to back track.

I live off of wall triana towards hwy 53 we are really close actually how neat. I heard about the wreck my neighbor is an emergency responder he said it was bad :-( my email is [email protected] if you ever want to email and meet ever. I swear I'm semi normal and wont try to dismember you! although that sounds creepy just saying so! Hope you understand my humor!

 

[RedneckGurl]

You're getting great help! Your chickens are going to be so spoiled and happy!!
I live off of wall triana towards hwy 53 we are really close actually how neat. I heard about the wreck my neighbor is an emergency responder he said it was bad :-( my email is [email protected] if you ever want to email and meet ever. I swear I'm semi normal and wont try to dismember you! although that sounds creepy just saying so! Hope you understand my humor!

Brittany, I totally understand!

Look for an email from me soon. I'd love to make a new friend.