Coop rethink

[DoswellGuy]

My coop sits on top of an 18” tall stand I built for it. Then I put a ladder leading into the coop. I guess that’s why I haven’t had a problem with them sitting on top of the coop. The birds only go in to roost at dark, and then lay eggs in the nesting boxes the next morning.

 

[redinator]

My coop sits on top of an 18” tall stand I built for it. Then I put a ladder leading into the coop. I guess that’s why I haven’t had a problem with them sitting on top of the coop. The birds only go in to roost at dark, and then lay eggs in the nesting boxes the next morning.

Mine like to parkour around the run to get to the highest spot, lol. Keeping them from getting over a fence will be a challenge. I've already moved several outdoor storage units away from the fence line and put them against the house. My current rule of thumb is, if I can see the top of it, they'll make it up there.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

I saw a fantastic open air coop on here yesterday. I can't find it now, but I did run across this one. I wish we had the climate to do something simple like this! It looks like an easy build. You could even start with a goat house/structure for the covered area and build or add onto that.

 

[redinator]

I saw a fantastic open air coop on here yesterday. I can't find it now, but I did run across this one. I wish we had the climate to do something simple like this! It looks like an easy build. You could even start with a goat house/structure for the covered area and build or add onto that.

This is hilarious . . .that's very similar to the one I saw a month or so ago when I browsing the coop design thread late one night. I wanted to save it the next day but couldn't find it.

 

[redinator]

Does it make sense to have a separate coop and hen house?

I bought this on Amazon https://a.co/d/9hZPTET when my 4 oldest chicks were little, but quickly realized it was too small for them to sleep in long term. It's was sitting idle in my yard not really being used for a few weeks. I've been trying to think of a way to use it since the interior stays dry even when it's raining hard. I was thinking about using for feed storage, but I don't think it could handle the weight. The 4 older chicks (12 weeks) will still use it occasionally if they're out free ranging and they are closer to it than the run when bad weather hits. It already has 3 decent sized nest boxes so I'm thinking it could be used for a hen house.

Logistically, how would that work? Would the hens leave the coop (open air run) to go lay in the hen house? Would the hen house need to be close to the coop to get them to use it? Would the hens wait to lay in the hen house when I let them out to free range? I ordered nesting pads and already have fake eggs to encourage them to lay in a designated place, but we'll see if they go along with my carefully crafted plan, lol.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Does it make sense to have a separate coop and hen house?

I bought this on Amazon https://a.co/d/9hZPTET when my 4 oldest chicks were little, but quickly realized it was too small for them to sleep in long term. It's was sitting idle in my yard not really being used for a few weeks. I've been trying to think of a way to use it since the interior stays dry even when it's raining hard. I was thinking about using for feed storage, but I don't think it could handle the weight. The 4 older chicks (12 weeks) will still use it occasionally if they're out free ranging and they are closer to it than the run when bad weather hits. It already has 3 decent sized nest boxes so I'm thinking it could be used for a hen house.

Logistically, how would that work? Would the hens leave the coop (open air run) to go lay in the hen house? Would the hen house need to be close to the coop to get them to use it? Would the hens wait to lay in the hen house when I let them out to free range? I ordered nesting pads and already have fake eggs to encourage them to lay in a designated place, but we'll see if they go along with my carefully crafted plan, lol.

You could use it for nests as well as a climate proofed feeding area perhaps? As long as the nest area is accessible during daylight hours, nothing says it must be attached to the coop.

 

[redinator]

You could use it for nests as well as a climate proofed feeding area perhaps? As long as the nest area is accessible during daylight hours, nothing says it must be attached to the coop.

That's a good idea, but would the cockerels disturb the hens if they're laying the boys want to eat?

 

[rosemarythyme]

That's a good idea, but would the cockerels disturb the hens if they're laying the boys want to eat?

Well the feeder was just an idea to utilize the space. I have a feeder in my coop just across the nest boxes and it's generally not an issue, but if it doesn't work having it in there you could always relocate it.

 

[redinator]

Well the feeder was just an idea to utilize the space. I have a feeder in my coop just across the nest boxes and it's generally not an issue, but if it doesn't work having it in there you could always relocate it.

Actually, there's enough space under the newly appointed hen house to put the feeder and waterer so it can be kept dry. I like this plan! lol

Edit: It'll also keep the chicks from perching on the buckets and pooping on them, lol.

 

[MapleLaurelFarms]

Does it make sense to have a separate coop and hen house?

I bought this on Amazon https://a.co/d/9hZPTET when my 4 oldest chicks were little, but quickly realized it was too small for them to sleep in long term. It's was sitting idle in my yard not really being used for a few weeks. I've been trying to think of a way to use it since the interior stays dry even when it's raining hard. I was thinking about using for feed storage, but I don't think it could handle the weight. The 4 older chicks (12 weeks) will still use it occasionally if they're out free ranging and they are closer to it than the run when bad weather hits. It already has 3 decent sized nest boxes so I'm thinking it could be used for a hen house.

Logistically, how would that work? Would the hens leave the coop (open air run) to go lay in the hen house? Would the hen house need to be close to the coop to get them to use it? Would the hens wait to lay in the hen house when I let them out to free range? I ordered nesting pads and already have fake eggs to encourage them to lay in a designated place, but we'll see if they go along with my carefully crafted plan, lol.

I think it depends on how much upkeep you want, or at least don't mind. More birds in more structures means more going-ons and such, but some love the chaos. We have a lot of things going on at our small farm, and I'm a one-and-done kinda person, so I'm the queen of consolidation. But you can set things up any way that you'd like, as long as you want to deal with it. It's important to know thyself in husbandry like in any other adventure. Do what you want! If it doesn't work for you or the hens, then quit that option and shift gears. Easy!