First coop- pictures of progress!!

[katydidit]

I'm flattered- that was my only "construction contribution" to the coop, lol. I built a droppings board to slide in and out for easy cleaning- but after having it in there a week, its actually much easier for me to just scoop the poop from the shavings than scrape off the board every day!

 

[naughtyhens]

Very nice job! I just have to pipe up that I have nasturtiums growing outside my chicken run and my girls love to eat the leaves. They must really like the taste or the smell. Now that it's warm the vines are growing so fast you can almost see them and as soon as a leaf gets within reach of the run it gets eaten.
They also love to eat oxalis and wild wood sorrel- and snails. Three pests I'm glad to turn into free chicken treats. My cats haven't been interested in eating the chickens since they were about 3 weeks old. They like to watch them, though.

 

[katydidit]

This particular neighborhood cat I've seen take down a decent size oriole and starling. Its a filthy creature, and he especially likes to "mark" my patio furniture. We aren't on the best of terms, and I would hate to think what I would do should he get ahold of one of my babies!!!

 

[kcfuerst]

The ramp to the coop could be slippery for them to navigate. You could add some cross pieces to help them get a grip to walk up the ramp. that's the only thing I could see why they maybe wouldn't go in, besides that it appears to be so small it could be very hot in there at times.

 

[bryan99705]

Looks great, suggest treads on the ramp so it's not so slick. Also you need more ventilation aroud the top so the built up heat can escape. (Maybe some old floor registers you can open and close as needed)

 

[Jferlisi]

Quote:
I agree with the ramp but if both sides have the vents on top i dont think you need more ventilation.

 

[TommyTurkey]

 

[Snack Giver]

I like it. My coop is also inside a secure run just like yours. I also used the side of our house because the area was already 75% enclosed. My birds all started sitting on top of the coop at night (5 hens) and I was worried too. So I just ended up putting a big 4' pine branch perch across the run at the same height as the the coop roof. They have a ladder to get up there. They always sleep in the same order every night. I think you may want to make a perch too. I'm going to enclose and insulate my entire set up by Fall.