First Post...Coop question.

[jhaggard29]

Hello all I have been researching chickens for several weeks now, reading and learning as much as I can about raising backyard chickens. I think I'm going to give it a try and get 3 laying hens from a poultry farm located near me. I have been looking at different coops, and have found one on Craigslist locally that a guy is building and selling. It's an A-frame chicken tractor. It looks pretty nice, and is well built, but I have a question. All the research I have done says that the roost should be higher than the nesting box, but in this design they are at the same height. My plan for this coop is to place it under the deck in my fenced backyard and allow the chickens to range during the day. If you more experienced bird people could lend your opinion of this coop I would appreciate it. I can't post pictures because I'm a new member, but the link is at:

[copy and paste!] nashville.craigslist.org/grd/2281697046.html


Thanks!

 

[chuckzoo]

The general consenses is that the roost should be higher than the nesting boxes or the hens will have a tendency to sleep in the nesting boxes. However, in my humble opinion it depends largely on the breed of chicken you are trying to accomodate. Dual purpose or heavy breeds do not need to have too fly to high to get to the roost. I also think that injuries can result from a roost being too high plus you have to have sufficient space for them to fly down if your roost is high.

In the winter I had straw in my coop and the hens did not use the roost at all but bedded down in the straw.

This is my feeling on the matter and most of the chicken keeping population will disagree with me!

If you are afraid the hens will start sleeping in the nesting boxes I would close them off until they are needed.

 

[f8thnjc]

How are you winters there? In my experience, they need good floor space that is also sheltered from the weather. If your winters get below 30 for any length of time, I think they will need more "inside" floor space. I am in Maine, so someone in your area might have better advice, but it seems to me that the coop portion on it is lacking.

 

[LaBaze]

Okay this coop would be beautiful and just perfect for your needs
We have about 60 chickens (including ALOT of 7 week olds) And our roost are the same height as the laying boxes. Just remember when you get them to put a golfball or fake egg or marked real egg to let them know where to lay and most important have fun with your chickens! And if you have any questions just pm me or make a new topic.

 

[jhaggard29]

Alright Chuckzoo I appreciate you taking the time to give your opinion. There are several similar coops for sale and they all have a roost level with the nests. If it's not a huge deal that would seriously affect the animals' well being I think I can try it. Maybe I could even find a way to lower the nesting box if I had to. Also, we have decided on 3 dual purpose birds, (excuse me if I butcher the spelling) Americuana and Australorps, if that makes a difference.




Quote:
The winters here are generally mild. We have some very cold days or weeks in the absolute dead of winter. However, I have a garage i don't park in that would accomodate the coop if it became very cold and I could let them stay in there at night with heat lamps and or space heaters.

LaBaze as well thanks for your time and your thoughts. We are pretty excited about our new project!

 

[chickendude]

I think that coop will do ya just fine for 3 birds. But they will definitely need to free range some. As for the nest box, I would close the opening off a little. Put a piece of plywood with an opening about 12x12 in. This will give them a bit of privacy and make them feel more comfortable while laying. Also

 

[jhaggard29]

Quote:
Thanks for posting and yeah, the idea is to give them the back yard to roam around in during the day. It's fairly large and will be plenty of room for 3 birds to hang out in.