Coop Modification Recommendations

[Mjvl]

Hello All!

First let me say that this forum is awesome. I wish I found this before I started my small flock.
My husband surprised me and bought me a new chicken coop since my TCS coop (newbie mistake) is way too small. It's scheduled to deliver in mid-April.

Here are the stats:

• # chickens = 5 (currently 9 months old)
• New coop size = 4 x 6
• The run size 10 x 15 - Coop will sit inside this area
• We live in Northeastern PA - Cold winters/humid summers

Please see the attached pictures of the new coop. Of course, the ramp will be outside once it's installed.
I plan on putting hardware cloth on the windows and additional locks on the person door.

Here are my questions:

• Should I put hardware cloth around the bottom of the coop? Or leave it open so they can go under it?
• There are only the 2 windows and the ridge vent. Should I add additional ventilation?
• What is the best kind of lock for the nesting box?
• Is there anything else I should add?

Please note - neither my husband nor myself are extremely handy. Think basic/novice carpentry skills.
Any recommendations are appreciated.


Thanks!
MJ

 

[Iluveggers]

Hello All!

First let me say that this forum is awesome. I wish I found this before I started my small flock.
My husband surprised me and bought me a new chicken coop since my TCS coop (newbie mistake) is way too small. It's scheduled to deliver in mid-April.

Here are the stats:

• # chickens = 5 (currently 9 months old)
• New coop size = 4 x 6
• The run size 10 x 15 - Coop will sit inside this area
• We live in Northeastern PA - Cold winters/humid summers

Please see the attached pictures of the new coop. Of course, the ramp will be outside once it's installed.
I plan on putting hardware cloth on the windows and additional locks on the person door.

Here are my questions:

• Should I put hardware cloth around the bottom of the coop? Or leave it open so they can go under it?
• There are only the 2 windows and the ridge vent. Should I add additional ventilation?
• What is the best kind of lock for the nesting box?
• Is there anything else I should add?

Please note - neither my husband nor myself are extremely handy. Think basic/novice carpentry skills.
Any recommendations are appreciated.


Thanks!
MJ

What a fantastic gift! I would add some ventilation in the triangle part of the roof, and cover it with hardware cloth. You won’t need that many nest boxes but it doesn’t hurt to have extra. It’s good that the roosts are above the nest boxes so they won’t be tempted to sleep in them!

 

[seminolewind]

Love it! Good size for a few hens. If this coop will go in a pen you should go ahead and make the pen varmit proof. Which means hardware cloth along the bottom and an apron going out about 2 feet. And enclose the top.

If in an open pen, yes, I would put hardware cloth on the bottom including and apron coming out 2 feet on the ground. Maybe hardware cloth over the windows so you can leave them open when needed. The locks should be that they don't freeze closed in the winter. Look for something easy for you.

 

[Mjvl]

What a fantastic gift! I would add some ventilation in the triangle part of the roof, and cover it with hardware cloth. You won’t need that many nest boxes but it doesn’t hurt to have extra. It’s good that the roosts are above the nest boxes so they won’t be tempted to sleep in them!

Thanks, I am very lucky. And thank you for the suggestion.

 

[Mjvl]

Love it! Good size for a few hens. If this coop will go in a pen you should go ahead and make the pen varmit proof. Which means hardware cloth along the bottom and an apron going out about 2 feet. And enclose the top.

If in an open pen, yes, I would put hardware cloth on the bottom including and apron coming out 2 feet on the ground. Maybe hardware cloth over the windows so you can leave them open when needed. The locks should be that they don't freeze closed in the winter. Look for something easy for you.

Thanks for the information. It will be an open pen so I will make sure to put the hardware cloth on the bottom and around the ground and windows.

 

[aart]

You'll want to add year round ventilation under the front and back eaves.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Best place for ventilation in a coop like this is to open up the space under the eaves between the roof support beams, front and back.

As far as hardware cloth around the base, the question you need to consider is can you access every inch of ground underneath that coop if you leave it open? If not, then it needs to be closed off to the chickens, or you may find yourself one day trying to pull an injured or scared bird out from under the coop, or reach some eggs that someone laid in a back corner, etc.

I have the bottom of my coop fenced off as the clearance is high enough for baby chicks to get in trouble, but that's it. You can see the hardware cloth behind the cinderblock steps.

 

[Mjvl]

Best place for ventilation in a coop like this is to open up the space under the eaves between the roof support beams, front and back.

As far as hardware cloth around the base, the question you need to consider is can you access every inch of ground underneath that coop if you leave it open? If not, then it needs to be closed off to the chickens, or you may find yourself one day trying to pull an injured or scared bird out from under the coop, or reach some eggs that someone laid in a back corner, etc.

I have the bottom of my coop fenced off as the clearance is high enough for baby chicks to get in trouble, but that's it. You can see the hardware cloth behind the cinderblock steps.

View attachment 3043073

Thank you for this recommendation and picture. I didn’t think about having to crawl under to get an injured bird, baby chick, or eggs. I also like your use of the cinder blocks for steps. Might have to copy that one.

 

[Sueby]

I have basically the same coop & I agree with the others - you will need to add ventilation. Here's how I did it with a sawzall, front & back:

I also leave the windows open year round. I covered them with painted hardware cloth & in the winter I stuff HVAC filters in there. The big flaw with these coops is lack of ventilation.

I knocked out some nest boxes to make just 3 bigger ones, the supplied ones are a little small & they didn't need that many anyway. The lid is very heavy, I have never added a lock. I did add more roost space (mines a little stuffed full since we're on HPAI lockdown) & an auto door but besides that I really like the coop, it's well built & easy to clean. My birds have access to underneath it, we enclosed it with hardware cloth & I ran an apron also.

 

[Mjvl]

I have basically the same coop & I agree with the others - you will need to add ventilation. Here's how I did it with a sawzall, front & back:
View attachment 3043188

I also leave the windows open year round. I covered them with painted hardware cloth & in the winter I stuff HVAC filters in there. The big flaw with these coops is lack of ventilation.

View attachment 3043194

I knocked out some nest boxes to make just 3 bigger ones, the supplied ones are a little small & they didn't need that many anyway. The lid is very heavy, I have never added a lock. I did add more roost space (mines a little stuffed full since we're on HPAI lockdown) & an auto door but besides that I really like the coop, it's well built & easy to clean. My birds have access to underneath it, we enclosed it with hardware cloth & I ran an apron also.

Thank you @Sueby - I really appreciate the pictures and recommendations for the nest boxes. This is awesome. I like the idea of using the HVAC filters in the winter.

I have a few questions:
- What size HVAC filters do you use?
Is your coop attached to a run or inside a run?
- Does your coop have a screen door on the person door?
- Would it be possible for you to share a picture of the bottom of the coop where you added the hardware cloth?

Thanks!