Does this coop look okay in construction?

[chauqg]

Ditto on the 1/2 wire instead of the chicken wire. That is an immediate "MUST BE", else your birds will be killed by predator. Just completly cover the chicken wire with the 1/2 hardware cloth. If you are industrious, rewire the sides and door putting the wire on the inside, saves scraping the top of the base, poop gets real hard when dried.

Things to think about.....

Every flat surface will have poop on it and must be cleaned. Birds will want to sit on the highest possible place... Now that is the top of your nest box. Put slanted wood on top to keep them from sleeping on top of roost box.. Also want to keep them from sleeping in nest box. They poop a lot during the night and will dirty up the place you want clean eggs.

Line the coop bottom (on the inside of the base 2x4) up 18" to keep from needing to clean the top base 2x4. Much easier to hoe along the wall rather than inside and on the 2x4.

Roosts should not be smooth especially pipe since the birds will slip on them or cause foot problems from having to hold on tightly all the time.

Use 2x4's ripped in half for roosts and then cleanup the corners to remove rough, splinters etc. protect their feed. The top rounded is very comfortable for the birds and eliminates foot problems

Use 6" of soft wood shavings as floor bedding, it will last 6 months or more without needing to be changed. Lots of time saving with deep litter method.

Make it easier for bird to grab roost on nest box, I would nail a 2-3"around x12" limb of tree on to the top of the face of each board you show in your photo. Grown chicken feet get big and need to hold on to something that is larger than a piece of 1/2"ply wood.

Nice Job...... Good Luck

 

[tricketts]

Any suggestions what I should put on the top of the next box to keep them off of it?

 

[Jen71]

I think another piece of wood on a slant should do the trick. To make it have a steep pitched roof type appearance.
This coop looks great! How many chickens do you have and how big is the coop?

 

[tricketts]

So even if I live in a master planned community with 6ft block walls and neighbors on all sides I should still cover over the chicken wire? I will put slanted wood on top of the nesting boxes and I will change the roost to a 2 x 4 instead of a rounded piece of wood. I will also add wood shavings to the bottom of the coop, would pine shavings be good? That is what we were using before for them.

And then from what I understand I need to put some type of roost in front of the nesting box for them to be able to grab onto to get into the nesting box. Is that correct?

 

[tricketts]

The coop is 4ft high and 6 ft long. I have 3 chickens, two buffs and an ameraucana. The are a little over 4 weeks old.

 

[chauqg]

Pine is fine, but don't use powdered wood, use soft wood shavings and never cedar. I don't know what your situation is relating to predators, but dogs, coons, possums and cats can get through chicken wire to grab and kill a hen - they will eat it one bite at a time through the larger holed wire!

Here is a photo of my coop with 24" inside lining; 2x2" roosts are 18" high, supported by 2x12's, all of which are easily movable for cleaning including the nest box on the left; there is 6" of pine bedding on the floor.

 

[CityChook]

Quote:
yes - those cement walls make great critter highways throughout the neighborhoods. Chicken wire won't keep the baddies out.
Pine shavings will be perfect.
If you put a little landing spot or roost in front of the nest, it will be easier for them to jump up.

 

[tricketts]

Okay so Pine it is and a roost in front of the nesting box. I guess my main concern would be cats then, even though I haven't seen any here I am sure there are people with cats. The poultry netting we have it 1" by 20 guage. What would you recommend instead?

 

[ArizonaNessa]

Tricketts you should visit us over in the Arizona Thread. Here's the link

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=31227&p=502

 

[KKatknap]

I would also recommend hardware mesh. I would go with the 1/2".

My main concern in Arizona would be coyotes. Even in communities. My father lived in Sun City West, and he had a coyote walking along his six-foot stone wall in the backyard. Behind that wall was a major boulevard! They acclimate very well to a variety of surroundings.
Neighborhood dogs would also be a concern. They are almost everywhere.

As far as the roost goes, I just use a 2x2 with the corners sanded a little. Works great.

Love your little coop! You did a great job for a first-time coop project!!