Coop Plans

[Eryniel]

I was trying to describe to my husband what I was thinking our coop and run should look like, and apparently I'm very bad at it. So I went online and did a quick drawing. I figured since I have it, I'd see if I can get some expert opinions.

The shed came with the house and is very solidly build. It has also been commandeered by my husband as "his".

The "coop" is also already up, but is currently just encased in wire/netting. And at the moment the brooder is where the nest boxes are going to be, as they haven't been built. (I currently only have 4 pullets of 7 weeks, but in April will have a full flock of 12) The coop is 8x6 with a single sloped roof of 6 feet at the high, 4 feet at the low.
I'm not 100% my shed's exact dimensions, but it's fairly close. Here is a picture of the current coop (minus some proper wire that was put on after the picture):

Do ya'll have any tips or suggestions I should implement?

 

[Welshies]

I definitely think you should consider openable and closeable ventilation. It's a great help, no matter where you live. Although we never want to enclose it completely, it makes ventilation entirably adjustable based on winds, weather, temperature (for example, I use less ventilation in -40°F/C than I do in +30°C), and flock size.
You should consider how many nest boxes you really need. I made the mistake of adding 2 times more than I needed. I was planning for more birds than I had, but still didn't need those extra boxes. I am ridding of them this summer.
Consider adding ledges inside your door and chicken door if you want to use the deep litter method.
Consider windows and sunlight. If you live in a hot place, an eastern facing window (sunrise) is smarter than a western facing window.
You need 10" of roost space per bird which I'm sure you already know! However this is a genius idea I wish I had done in my coop- put a poop board right under my roosts, and then put the nest boxes under the poop board. That would be so much more efficient! I may or may not still do this. (Summer modifications are always fun!).
Also consider whether you want insulation or not!

 

[imnukensc]

Your brooder, nest boxes, and interior storage take away from your available square footage of coop space. You may not be able to accomodate 12 birds with the way it is drawn, but in your climate that may not be as important as someone living in the north with lots of snow whose birds may be confined to the coop for long periods of time.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I was trying to describe to my husband what I was thinking our coop and run should look like, and apparently I'm very bad at it. So I went online and did a quick drawing. I figured since I have it, I'd see if I can get some expert opinions.
View attachment 1233295

The shed came with the house and is very solidly build. It has also been commandeered by my husband as "his".

The "coop" is also already up, but is currently just encased in wire/netting. And at the moment the brooder is where the nest boxes are going to be, as they haven't been built. (I currently only have 4 pullets of 7 weeks, but in April will have a full flock of 12) The coop is 8x6 with a single sloped roof of 6 feet at the high, 4 feet at the low.
I'm not 100% my shed's exact dimensions, but it's fairly close. Here is a picture of the current coop (minus some proper wire that was put on after the picture):
View attachment 1233311

Do ya'll have any tips or suggestions I should implement?

The roost you have there does not look long enough to hold the chickens you have planned. If you mount the nest boxes on the outside you will save space inside and can collect the eggs without going inside the coop. Good luck!

 

[aart]

Not a bad drawing...dimensions are good,
but is everything drawn 'true size and shape'?
Graph paper might be a better tool so you can have propotionate scale.

Need at least 12' of roost length for 12 birds.
Lose the 'storage' maybe and put 2 roosts along that wall,
12" and 30" away from wall.

Pretty tight space for 12 birds if they have to be confined to coop during a predator event. Will your run be covered with at least mesh to protect from predators?
Will there be ample shade for your scorching climate?

 

[Eryniel]

Thank you, everyone, for all the suggestions!
I have done some tweaking due to ya'll suggestions, and here is what I have so far. I haven't fully decided if I want to get rid of the storage... though I may move it to the outside of the coop.

(and yes-everything should be to scale)
Currently I'm thinking of closing up the bottom 1 1/2 feet, maybe 2 feet, and having wire netting cover the top, with a board that converts from awning to cover. (if that makes sense?) And their should be at least 2 "levels" of roosts. Maybe 3 on the side adjacent to the run.
I'm not planning on using insulation, but I have come into possession of quite a lot of 2x4's, and plan to use mostly that.
As of right now I'm not planning on covering the run, because I am planning on getting a puppy to keep predators away. However, if the puppy plans do not come to fruition, I will definitely close up the run.
I love the idea of ledges and poop boards!