I research and plan ahead, too. It’s a blessing and a curse but it beats a rushed makeshift mess any day, so, yeah you!!
I’d like to share how I used my coop space bc it sounds like what you described for yourself, maybe.
My coop is 6x10. I added a multipurpose space under the roost and poop board along the 6 ft back side, opposite a man door. I used the space once for chick integration, no momma hen, and it worked great for my needs. pics below were from last June.
We (DH and I) made two framed mesh panels which were temporarily affixed under the poop boards to create a 3x6 “see-but-don’t-touch” space. One panel has an access door I would prop open so I could feed, water, clean, etc. A 12x12 pop door was created out to the 9x24 run. A temporary fence with human entry gate at the end of the ‘run-in the run’ divided the run(s) and gave the chicks a nice 4x12 space with feeder and waterer in line (but separated) from the big girls. I had 3 escape portals for chicks who were adventurous but needed a quick exit away from the ‘mean girls’. All panels and fence takes 20 min to put up and stores nice and flat in the garage loft.
Presently the panels for brooder area are off and run is fully accessible but I left small pop door open for floor level ventilation and alternate coop entry/exit (again, those mean girls).
I’d like to share how I used my coop space bc it sounds like what you described for yourself, maybe.
My coop is 6x10. I added a multipurpose space under the roost and poop board along the 6 ft back side, opposite a man door. I used the space once for chick integration, no momma hen, and it worked great for my needs. pics below were from last June.
We (DH and I) made two framed mesh panels which were temporarily affixed under the poop boards to create a 3x6 “see-but-don’t-touch” space. One panel has an access door I would prop open so I could feed, water, clean, etc. A 12x12 pop door was created out to the 9x24 run. A temporary fence with human entry gate at the end of the ‘run-in the run’ divided the run(s) and gave the chicks a nice 4x12 space with feeder and waterer in line (but separated) from the big girls. I had 3 escape portals for chicks who were adventurous but needed a quick exit away from the ‘mean girls’. All panels and fence takes 20 min to put up and stores nice and flat in the garage loft.
Presently the panels for brooder area are off and run is fully accessible but I left small pop door open for floor level ventilation and alternate coop entry/exit (again, those mean girls).
