Coop remodel advice?

[mrkep]

This is my coop setup now, I did it this way when we put the young chicks in there. Put the ramp up from the nest box because we didn't think they could get up to the roosts. Now they have no problem, usually jump/ flap up to the roosts. The bucket feeder has been replaced by a hopper next to the door. But, of course, the top of the nest box is covered with poop every morning. So when I clean out this spring, I have been thinking about putting the nest box under the poop board, far enough to not get pooped on but not too hard to reach. That will leave some room to hide behind if someone feels threatened. I also thought about putting another roost next to the window but read on a post that it is not advisable to have a roost on the east wall. So maybe I should have a ramp along there instead? The coop is 8' X 8', 15 Buckeyes currently live there, 2 roos &13 hens. The poop board/ roost are about 3' above the floor, depending on the depth of the litter.
Thanks, mrkep

 

[Dixiedoodle]

I love the coop I have now.. It is similar to yours. I have my roost and poop board the entire width of the coop, I have hanging feeders and waterer under the poop board and placed the nest boxes on the wall next to the door. I feel like it frees up the entire floor space for the girls. I also use the deep litter method and it works wonderful.. My nest boxes have a slanted top on the to keep the girls from roosting/pooping on it.. Works great.

 

[patandchickens]

Sure, put the nestboxes under the droppings board if you want, preferably right up against the underside of the droppings board so there is *some* floorspace beneath them for chickens to use if they wish.

I don't see what could be wrong with having the roost on the E wall as long as your door and vent configurations permit it without causing problems.

JMHO, good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Orchid]

The only advice I can offer if you attach your nestboxes under your poop board is to make sure the nest box is easily removable in case an ill or injured chicken should decide to hide behind it where you can't get them out easily. Because that is totally something that would happen to me, and then I'd be trying to dismantle things to get to the chicken.

 

[patandchickens]

As long as the nestboxes are mounted up right against the bottom of the droppings board, it looks like there should be at least a foot of space below them, so access to that floorspace should not be a problem for you OR the chickens.

I would absolutely NOT put the boxes there at floor level, making a long narrow inaccessible alleyway behind them, though!!

Pat