Coop suggestions

[Kaikai]

Hello! New to BYC. This is my second time raising chickens first time in this location/coop. I got this coop for free, and gave it a little tlc, replaced chicken wire, extra door, etc. But I am looking for suggestions on layout. I live in SoCal. rarely gets under 60 or over 90. I ordered 6 chicks but got 8 and all are healthy. They are currently about 10days old. They are EE, Orpingtons, and Wyandottes. I was planning on keeping them in the top portion over night, then opening bottom portion during the day. I also will be letting them out in the run that is 12'x16'. Im now thinking that keeping them up at night may be too small? should I just keep them in the whole space overnight? We have possums, raccoons, cats, and hawks/crows.
Coop is 3x8. top portion is 3x4. If I put roosting bars left to right is can get 9feet of roosting space but they will have to walk under it. If I put roosting bars front to back I have 8feet roosting space. I also have a stand alone nesting box that is about 1x3 so takes up a lot of floor room. Not sure if I should put below or in the more secure area? would love suggestions. Thanks!!

 

[Bigdumogre]

Personally, I would remove the second floor and just add roosting bars there so on cold nights they aren't close to the window and open the space in there. Or keep it dual level and make a ramp to the second floor.

 

[Kaikai]

Thanks!
I've definitely been toying with the idea of just removing the top floor, might make things easier. I forgot to add a pic of the other side, they currently will have a ramp and window is covered by 1in insulation.

 

[C Siena]

Greetings & Salutations. Welcome.

The top portion would be fine for them while they are small but not when they are probably 7 weeks, if not sooner.

From the pictures, it looks like screen is covering the run. You will need hardware cloth covering all screen and any openings. Predators will rip through the screen and get in small openings.

Due to their age, you will need them warmer than 60 at night. Probably about 85, next week 80 etc.
Enjoy your flock!

This is a wonderful site on which to Learn and enjoy. We are pleased to have you in the community.

 

[Kaikai]

Greetings & Salutations. Welcome.

The top portion would be fine for them while they are small but not when they are probably 7 weeks, if not sooner.

From the pictures, it looks like screen is covering the run. You will need hardware cloth covering all screen and any openings. Predators will rip through the screen and get in small openings.

Due to their age, you will need them warmer than 60 at night. Probably about 85, next week 80 etc.
Enjoy your flock!

This is a wonderful site on which to Learn and enjoy. We are pleased to have you in the community.

Thanks for the feedback! the screen is 1/4" hardware cloth, and after reading a bit looks like it might be too weak, I saw another poster that had a tear like you mentioned. Would 2"x3" welded wire on top help? or should I just replace with 1/2"?
I also was planning on keeping them inside the garage till they are feathered.
Thanks!!!

 

[C Siena]

Thanks for the feedback! the screen is 1/4" hardware cloth, and after reading a bit looks like it might be too weak, I saw another poster that had a tear like you mentioned. Would 2"x3" welded wire on top help? or should I just replace with 1/2"?
I also was planning on keeping them inside the garage till they are feathered.
Thanks!!!

It's probably my eyes and the computer. It looked like screen. Sorry, my bad. As it's hardware cloth, all should be well as long as it is secured tightly and covering all openings.

We have not put the hc on our runs yet. We have it but I have not begun. I have read here, I think in the Coop design forum, that most use a washer under the screw.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

It's probably my eyes and the computer. It looked like screen. Sorry, my bad. As it's hardware cloth, all should be well as long as it is secured tightly and covering all openings.

We have not put the hc on our runs yet. We have it but I have not begun. I have read here, I think in the Coop design forum, that most use a washer under the screw.

I do agree though with @Kaikai - their HWC is 1/4”, so probably 23 gauge, instead of 1/2”, which is 19 gauge, thus thicker and stronger.

I’ve seen two solutions: one is to add 1”x2” welded wire to the outside, leaving the 1/4” HWC in place, and the other is to tear it out and replace with 1/2”.

In SoCal, I’d definitely worry about coyotes at a minimum, and it would take no time at all to get through 23 gauge HWC. There’s another thread currently going on that discusses this.

Edit to add, Kaikai, welcome to BYC! I like your work on the coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Regarding the 1/4" wire... since it's already there I'd add welded wire over it rather than replace it. Or if the run is built around it (looks to be sitting inside the run?) and then the run is predator proofed for your area, you can skip reinforcing the coop and put the money into the run reinforcement instead.

As far as rest of the coop - I'd remove the 2nd floor entirely, the entire unit's footprint is already tight for 8 birds so you need to maximize space as much as possible. In addition because your temperatures lean towards hot, it would be very beneficial for the birds to have the option to roost in that open space, rather than being closed up in a smaller space.

Nest boxes can perhaps be elevated, to preserve floor space, or could go outside, again to preserve floor space. As long as the birds can access them at sunrise (i.e. an auto door, or if you get up early) that can work, if you build some sort of overhang to protect them from the sun and weather.