Design help

[bethielynn]

Hello, I am building my coop and I had the idea to make only two parallel sides touch the ground and then leave the other two open about 2 inches to help in cleaning out the coop. I figure I will have to put chicken wire in these areas to keep out creepers but will it also make it too cold in the coop in the winter time or will the ventilation be a good thing? I have two silkies that will be sleeping on the ground but the rest are perching sleepers.

 

[bethielynn]

I should probably add that I live in the area surrounding Sacramento valley so I do not have crazy winters, lots of rain, some frozen mornings, no snow.
Also if I have 6 chickens that lay, the two silkies wont lay in a box, how many boxes do I need? I thought they all needed their own but their aren't many plans that have more then 4 boxes so do they share boxes?

 

[teach1rusl]

I guess my question is, if you cover the 2 inch openings with wire, how will that help with cleaning it out??? Maybe you could do a hinged clean-out door??? That way it could be closed when not in use?

Most ventilation is up high, to get rid of warm, moist air (which rises). Having an airway down low isn't necessarily a bad thing for hot weather areas, as long as you have it up high as well.

For six chickens, you'll want 2 - 3 nest boxes. And your silkies will roost if you build really low roosts (maybe 18 inches high) and make them a wide ramp or give them a way to get up onto them. If yours aren't used to roosting, you'd have to "train" them. Mine roost, because I don't like them laying in their own poo. Just something to consider...

Oh...and you might do a search on dropping boards - they are wonderful, and make cleaing super easy.