Goldmine of info!

[Hens Mum]

WOW im glad i came here before i finished the new coop. Change of plans thanks to the incredible info here.
This is the plan for the new coop: (its ok if you want to say "you're mad")
the "housing" is on 3 levels: ground floor is "food court" - hanging feeder and water.
1st floor is nesting boxes accessible from a short staircase from the "food court" level. There are only 2 boxes there as they are "very" roomy.
2nd floor has extra head room as it utilizes the pitch of the roof. This is the roosting level.
I had intended to have access here by "staircase" but I'm thinking that plus a "sky walk" rope ladder from inside the run... yes/no? Part of the "entertainment" factor?
I'm going to add the ability to add a "safety zone" for new additions. It will essentially be a removable addition which only the young can access. It will also be close enough to an outside power source to have a warmer installed. thinking of building it so it also works with the brooder as a transition unit. (I'm mad aren't I)
You have give me so much to think about... thank you

 

[21hens-incharge]

What are the dimensions of the planned coop?

Can you post pics of the plan? Even rough sketches help us to see the plan.

The rope won't work. They don't walk/grip like parrots so it wouldn't feel stable to them and would be ignored.

 

[Hens Mum]

 

[Hens Mum]

Coop is 1.2m x 1.2m x 2m high run is 2m x 3m x 1.5m high

 

[aart]

Coop is 1.2m x 1.2m x 2m high run is 2m x 3m x 1.5m high

Approx. 4'x 4' x 6' coop.
Approx. 6' x 10' x 5' run.

The double decker coop doesn't make much sense,
would be hard for birds and keeper to navigate.

Run height could be hard for keeper to navigate.

How do the birds get from the nesting level to the roosting level?
Trays(sliding?) under roosts usually don't work out so well.

Staircase(?) in floor, not a good design, better to have pop door in sidewall of coops, IMO.

 

[Hens Mum]

If it were much taller I couldn't build it.. I'm only 5' tall.
When I say staircase it's a ramp up in the floor. There will be a ramp to the roosting level as well as a door in the side wall to the run so 2 ways into that level. They had all been navigating the same ramp system in the smaller coops.
Why don't the trays under roosts work? I thought that would make cleaning in there easier?
Thanks again

 

[21hens-incharge]

Trays that slide end up smearing poo that is taller than the tray slot or not sliding at all if poo has frozen into poo bergs.

I agree with aart on all those points.

Ramps at an opening in the floor take up valuable floor space and let bedding drop out.

With such a small footprint for the coop external nest boxes free up valuable floor space. They are a pain to build water tight if you want to gather eggs from outside but it is not impossible. Access hatches on the back wall are WAY more water tight than the lid lift types.

 

[Brooks_]

@Hens Mum, be assured that neither aart nor 21hens are being less than nice, they're just trying to have the difficult conversation.

 

[Sally PB]

Access hatches on the back wall are WAY more water tight than the lid lift types.

That's what I have on my nest boxes, and I have had no issues with dampness or leaking.

 

[21hens-incharge]

That's what I have on my nest boxes, and I have had no issues with dampness or leaking.

If you can post a picture of how it's put together to keep it dry it might help others struggling with it.