Does this coop look okay in construction?

[tricketts]

This is the first coop that my son and I have built. We are wondering if we need a ladder to the nesting box? The box and the perch are about 14-16 inches off the ground. Next weekend we are going to buy bigger feeders. Should we put straw on the ground or is the dirt okay? The tarp has a wood roof underneath it.

Any help would be great! Also if it is 86 degrees during the day but is going to be 57 degrees this evening is that too cold to have them sleep outside yet. They are all almost fully feathered though it is a little harder to tell with the Buffs. Right now the last two days they have been outside during the day but we have been bringing them in at night.

 

[Mrs. Fluffy Puffy]

Very good job!!!

 

[gmendoza]

Egg-celent job.Just make sure there are no extra drafts.Chickens hate sleeping in drafty places.You wont need that nesting box for a while.

 

[underground chickenman]

The nest box height is fine, but I would swap out the chicken wire for 1/2 inch hardware cloth. Chicken wire keeps chickens in, but it doesn't keep predators out.

UGCM

 

[cook_kaka_ook]

Ladder won't be necessary. I could have done the to top of the nest box in a sloping manner so that the girls won't be roosting on top. Believe me you will be spending time cleaning the nest's top when they do.

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Looks good. You don't need a ladder to the boxes. Either leave the floor dirt or use pine shavings but straw or hay on the floor will hold moisture and might cause an issue. Are you in Queen Creek, Arizona?

 

[tricketts]

Yes I am in Queen Creek, Arizona. We Love it out here!

 

[grandmaof5]

Most people prefer a 2"x4" as a roost, with the 4'side up; chickens would rather roost on their feet, not on a perch like a budgie. I think it is a nice coop, too!

 

[tricketts]

We thought about that and next weekend we are going to change out their roost bar.

 

[Kajunbanty]

Looks good to me, I would change the roost pole also, and I would cover the dirt with sand, sand would be easier to rake clean and then you can always add more as needed. And do something with those nest box tops are they will roost on them and you will be always having to clean them off.