Designing with coop cleaning in mind

[chickenshet]

Hello!
What are some design tips you can think of to make cleaning and maintenance a cinch? I'd rather design with cleaning in mind and save myself the headache later!

My coop will be 4'-0" x 7'-0" and I want to do a raised coop. Also, how high should I have it raised? I am so excited to get started!
Mary

 

[chickerdoodle]

First of all:

from Oregon!!

Take a look at my BYC Page (click under my Avatar) which is my coop page. Easy to maintain was exactly what I built ours for! Our hen house is 4x5 and the run 4 x 13 but the plan could be adjusted accordingly. I had it built 32" above the ground.

 

[oldchickenlady]

A drop down door across the width of the back of the coop is great for cleaning. Just wheel your cart or wheelbarrow to the back, drop the door down, and rake out the shavings into the cart. Of course this wouldn't work for a coop that was wider than 4 foot or so. Raise your coop high enough to get your wheelbarrow or cart below the level of the floor, this provides storage space or more chicken run space.

 

[wannabchick]

Quote:
Awesome job ,you and your dh did..love your whole setup

 

[chickerdoodle]

Thanks wannabchick. I researched quite a bit and thought about how little I really wanted to do each day.

 

[elmo]

It's very useful to have one wall open up completely so you can easily reach in for cleaning, like these coops:

http://www.ezcleancoops.com/

I designed our small coop this way, with double doors forming one wall and latching in the middle:

A poop board or tray under the roost is another feature that makes coop cleaning easy. And if you live someplace that doesn't get very cold winters, consider using sand as the substrate inside the coop, too. It's very easy to keep clean with a litter scoop.

Our small coop is raised up on 2 foot tall legs in an attached run where the chickens have access to the area under the coop. I have to say I really dislike this design because it's harder to clean up under there, and sometimes when I'm trying to catch a chicken she'll run under the coop and out of my reach.

 

[wannabchick]

Quote:
I so agree with u..

I keel thinking before you know it, I will be changing the doors..lol

 

[WhySayWhat]

Don't forget linoleum or vinyl on the floor!

I laid vinyl tiles (12") on mine before I started building the walls (which I am still building).

 

[yelim]

Horizonal door across the back with slide out and tilt down poop board. Takes me about 15 min a week. Plastic is to keep drafts out during winter it is gone now.

 

[Chickadee55]

Quote:
I just looked at your coop. It is gorgeous. Good job!! Is there anything that you would have done differently?