Coop Modification Recommendations

[Ccort]

Hi @Ccort - I am able to stand up inside but not fully, I need to bend over a little. For reference I am about 5’1’’. Hope this helps.

Thanks. I'm 5 foot 7. I was hoping it was taller.

 

[Mjvl]

Also, I was hoping to keep some open space under the coop so as not to lose square footage of my run. (The coop will sit in the run). Is there enough room under the coop for chickens to roam under it?

Yes, there is enough room for chickens to go under, about 14-15 inches. However, I plan to block mine off with hardware cloth as I'm concerned they will lay eggs there and/or go there when injured and it would be difficult for me to crawl under and get them.

 

[Mjvl]

Any time! Happy to chat with someone who has the same type of coop! Make sure you update when everyone is in & settled. I'd say when your done, but NEVER done with a coop & chickens!

Hi @Sueby

Well it took a while to get the modifications done on the new coop and install the fence/run area. My husband & I aren't "handy" so I had to have someone do the modifications and fence installation. We added the bamboo to hold up the netting.

I copied the modifications that you did on your coop - in addition, I closed off the bottom of the coop and put down hardware cloth which extends 2 feet around the coop. In addition, I added a 2 foot apron around the new run area, which is 17' x 15', 2 feet hardware cloth attached to the fences, and bird netting overhead. I also added latches to the screen door & secure them with carabiners so I can leave the door open during the hot weather.

We moved the girls in about a week ago and they are loving the new space. The original coop was from TSC - newbie mistake. Both the old and new runs are connected behind the raised garden but blocked off until the grass/herbs grow back in the original run. Once that happens, we'll unblock the connection so they will have additional space (about 12' x 17') to forage since I can't free range (too many predators).

I'm still adding 'gym accessories' to the runs. Let me know if there anything else I should do to fortify these areas.

Thanks again for your help/pictures shared of your run.

 

[Judy Todd]

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.

Most likely a dumb question, what is painted hardwre cloth? Mywindow and vents are all covered with hardwre cloth, but I put heavy plastic ove the window if we get really windy rainy weather.

 

[Sueby]

I just painted regular hardware cloth black so you can't see it. It's amazing how well painting it makes it disappear, actually.

 

[stone_family3]

How well is everyone's coop holding up? Any other mods you've made?
I'm looking at this exact type of coop for 6 average size girls and plan to add an 8ft long, 8ft wide and 6ft tall covered run to it. I'd like to raise it up about 24 inches off the ground to give them some more under coop space as well. So I'd need to add stairs to it so I can get my short butt up into it.

 

[Mjvl]

How well is everyone's coop holding up? Any other mods you've made?
I'm looking at this exact type of coop for 6 average size girls and plan to add an 8ft long, 8ft wide and 6ft tall covered run to it. I'd like to raise it up about 24 inches off the ground to give them some more under coop space as well. So I'd need to add stairs to it so I can get my short butt up into it.

Hi @stone_family3
Sorry for the delayed response as I wasn't getting notifications.
My new coop is holding up nicely. I have 5 girls and they fit perfectly. However, if I were to do it again, I would get a slightly bigger coop so they have more room to hang out in when the weather is bad.

 

[Crystalcatch]

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! This is a big help. I was hesitant to leave the windows open due to the flimsy screens but I can certainly add hardware cloth.
Did you find an auto door to fit the big pop door? That’s my next project! Always something!

 

[Mjvl]

Thank you! This is a big help. I was hesitant to leave the windows open due to the flimsy screens but I can certainly add hardware cloth.
Did you find an auto door to fit the big pop door? That’s my next project! Always something!

I got the Omlet auto door and had it installed on the inside so the snow/ice in winter doesn’t freeze it.

 

[Crystalcatch]

I got the Omlet auto door and had it installed on the inside so the snow/ice in winter doesn’t freeze it.

Thank you! I was looking at the omlet and it seems the size is right. Your coop looks amazing!