First Time Coop Builder Question

[cwittenauer]

I am finalizing plans for my first coop and was trying to decide if I should build the egg boxes inside the coop with an access panel to get the eggs from the outside or build the whole box so it is attached to the outside.

I am going to have 4-5 chickens and the two issues I would see is whether I want to save space on the inside and possibly temperature. We live in Missouri building it inside might keep them warmer in the winter while they are laying eggs.

The coop will be 8x6 walk-in style.

What other things should i consider as far as placement of the egg box?

Thanks!

 

[Lilalienangel]

Hello, I am captain obvious.
Linoleum flooring.
Makes it soooooo much easier to clean.
1/4 inch hardware cloth because predators suck.

Really though I am just commenting to see what others have to say as I am a first time woodworker working on a coop now. Thanks for posting

 

[FortCluck]

I did my nesting boxes on the inside with a full size door that I can go through, this not only makes it easy to collect eggs but it makes it easy to clean. We can get a shovel and everything inside the coop to clean it out. I used several different boxes, I'll post pics below.

This is our first time ever building a coop

The walls are getting covered next weekend with pvc sheets. You can spray them with water and they never rot like wood.

Framing out the window next week and staining/treating the wood. I'm indecisive about what color to do.

Coop is 8x8 and 9 feet high in the front.

 

[DobieLover]

Because chicken math is a real thing, I would work to conserve the floor space in your coop.
I like to access my nest box from outside the coop. However I have a built-in brooder in my coop so I access the eggs from the brooder room. I do not have to stoop over to get my eggs. I have crappy knees and I designed my coop for my retirement years (a decade and a half away). But still, crappy knees and all... no stooping!

You do not need linoleum or vinyl on your floor. It is a fine surface but so is two coats of porch and floor paint. I use and HIGHLY recommend poop boards under your roosts. I clean mine daily and my coop does not stink.

I also highly recommend building the largest predator proof run you can that can be winterized for our long, cold, snowy winters.

I left you my suggestion for avoiding frozen eggs in your new member introduction.
This is a link to the article that discusses the seedling heating mat method.

 

[cwittenauer]

Very helpful. Thanks!!

 

[David61]

Your nesting "egg Boxes" need to be lower than your roost and closed off from your birds until they are ready to lay. Here is my walk in. I could have put my box on the inside just as easy but my design made it so it fit perfect on the outside. The roof line covers the box.

 

[rosemarythyme]

No "right" answer as to whether you do an external or internal nest box. Mine is fully internal because 1) stays warmer in winter, so I've not had frozen eggs so far 2) I designed mine to be fully removable for easy cleaning. The unit sits against the wall and is held in place by the sloped hinged lid, which is the only part attached to the coop.



Downsides of internal boxes is they do eat up some space in the coop, so plan around that, and of course you have to go fully into the coop to pick up eggs, which may or may not be a bad thing (for me it keeps me out of the rain).

 

[aart]

I am finalizing plans for my first coop

Got pics of drawings/sketches?
I highly recommend laying out the floor plans and elevations on at least graph paper.
Much easier to make, and fix, mistakes on paper or the computer than in wood and screws.

Big roof overhangs, all around, with open soffits for year round ventilation is my best tip. Those over hangs will also protect your open windows in summer, top hinged window are best for maximum open area and also to protect from rain.

My coop is much like @DobieLover's, can click on My Coop link under my avatar to see.
There are 3 very good reads linked in my signature(hopefully you can see and access those) for newbies in the planning stage(and after).