Coop/run upgrade help

[Esrun]

I mean a 4x10

 

[Esrun]

Some other info if it helps. I’m in the North East

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thanks. I’m just so overwhelmed, which I wouldn’t think a 4x8 box would do to me. But I don’t understand how to set it up with roosts and egg boxes. I’m not sure if it makes more sense to build it outside the run and then connect to this existing run or build inside the run… I have read that roosts should be (I think) 20” off the ground. But I’ve seen ladder looking roosts. Not sure how to configure them so there is enough floor space for the chickens to fly down and up to them. Should they go along the 8’ or 4’ section? How tall should the coop be? I’m hoping not too tall as I’d like to maintain being able to see into the yard through the run (maybe thats silly but if it’s possible I’d like to try and maintain that).

I'd personally build outside the run (strictly because I prefer a walk in coop) but as long as you have enough height to allow for chickens to use the underside of the coop as run space then either way can work.

Roosts can be really any height from the ground, but you want them above next boxes, so roughly 12" up is the realistic minimum. They can be on short or longer wall as long as there's enough landing space off the roost - so if a roost is 20" high the birds will need 20" or more in front of the roost to safely land.

Height of the coop doesn't matter AS much however keep in mind that ventilation has to go somewhere so higher walls = more air volume and much more versatility in adding ventilation. I don't know how high would be "too high" as far the view issue.

 

[Huntmaster]

Eventually the shed (which this run is attached to) can be turned into a coop but not for at least a year or two.

There is no way to use the back portion of the shed for now sectioning it off from the rest of shed for now rather than building something else if you plan on using whole shed anyway in future?

 

[Esrun]

There is no way to use the back portion of the shed for now sectioning it off from the rest of shed for now rather than building something else if you plan on using whole shed anyway in future?

Unfortunately not

 

[Esrun]

Is it better to do one long 8’ roosting bar or two 4’ but one taller than the other? If I understand the requirements for space this would be the right size?

 

[Tookie]

I’d like to have it waist high (I’m only 5’1” ) for ease of cleaning but I worry about the ramp.

I have my coops raised off the ground about 3ft I think? Its waist high for me and I'm 5'3".

Also, is there somewhere I can find basics on designing a coop? I’m searching but lots of threads come up. I was hoping to find an article or something to help us design within the space we have.

Here's a link to the coop articles, you should be able to find something to help you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/

But I don’t understand how to set it up with roosts and egg boxes.

Make sure roosts are always higher than nesting boxes.
For a 4x10' coop, I think I would have the roost running down the longer side and make it 8ft in length, so then you could put the nesting boxes on the end where the roost doesn't go. Or just do the roosts the 4' length instead of longer and leave space on one end for nesting boxes.

I’m not sure if it makes more sense to build it outside the run and then connect to this existing run or build inside the run…

I think it would be better to build outside, so you have more space to move and build and you can get extra space underneath.

But I’ve seen ladder looking roosts.

Those work better in walk in coops.

How tall should the coop be?

How tall is the run you would attach it to?

 

[Tookie]

Is it better to do one long 8’ roosting bar or two 4’ but one taller than the other?

If you did the 4' I think you could add three, since its going to be a 10' long coop right?
I would keep all roosts the same height, so you don't have fighting over who's on the higher one. Also you've got the ventilation, you don't want them too close to it and you also don't want the chicken's to be in a draft.

If I understand the requirements for space this would be the right size?

Yes, it would be fine. Each chicken should have at least 10" of roost space.

 

[Esrun]

I have my coops raised off the ground about 3ft I think? Its waist high for me and I'm 5'3".

Here's a link to the coop articles, you should be able to find something to help you.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/

Make sure roosts are always higher than nesting boxes.
For a 4x10' coop, I think I would have the roost running down the longer side and make it 8ft in length, so then you could put the nesting boxes on the end where the roost doesn't go. Or just do the roosts the 4' length instead of longer and leave space on one end for nesting boxes.

I think it would be better to build outside, so you have more space to move and build and you can get extra space underneath.

Those work better in walk in coops.

How tall is the run you would attach it to?

The run is pretty tall. But when I expand this current run I will only have it as high as the door in the pictures (which I’m guessing is about 7’ give or take. Current run is taller than the shed.

 

[Tookie]

The run is pretty tall. But when I expand this current run I will only have it as high as the door in the pictures (which I’m guessing is about 7’ give or take. Current run is taller than the shed.

Okay! Where were you wanting the coop? On the right side of the run in the picture, or in the back of it?