Guinea fowl coop completed

[Topgum]

Here’s some project pics of my guinea coop build. It’s 7’W X 3’D X 6’H. It’s 10” above the ground. I attached hardware cloth behind exposed boards to keep the ends from poking out. This made for a nice clean look and prevents scratches. I found the installation to be superior with a pneumatic staple gun instead of using screws/washers. I used a combination of treated, non-treated, and cedar. Mostly treated on the outside and mostly cedar on the inside. Used non-treated lumber under the roof as it would not be exposed to rain. The door opens inward. A thin vertical gap running full length up the front allows a divider to be inserted to isolate the birds for access to one side of coop.
Some have posted about difficulty in moving a coop. I’ve attached images of moving the coop myself without any machinery by using temporary sled boards and a 2 wheel dolly.

Feedback for improvement is welcomed!!!

Thanks.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Nice! That looks fantastic!!! I LOVE the look of cedar, and it's a good wood for outdoors. And the scalloped edges on your nesting box lid = perfection! Good choice with hiding the hardware cloth edges, and looks like there's lots of ventilation. I'm far from an expert, but looks awesome to me!

 

[Topgum]

Thanks The Guineas seem to be comfortable in it. They love the ramp. I had to keep them in dog crate for a few days while the new coop was being built. Bet they feel like they’ve hit the damn guinea lottery now!

 

[aart]

Only 2 birds?

Kinda small as already mentioned here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/need-simple-house-for-my-new-guinea-fowl.1294391/

 

[Ghosty]

Looks like too much ventilation to me. I take it you are in a warm climate, but what about wind and rain. The coop is completely open on both sides, and only 3 feet deep. I would close in the backside.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Oh - it IS open on both sides. Totally missed that on my tiny phone screen. Yes, that would be drafty and wet in inclement weather.

Is it too small if they free range? I admit I know nothing about guineas, but all that I've read says like 4 sq feet per bird. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[Aunt Angus]

Oh - I see... They take a LONG time to decide where "home" is. That's the issue. They need to be confined because they fly. Makes sense now.

Yes, if they need to be confined, I would definitely add a fully enclosed run.

 

[Topgum]

I’m in a southern climate. Only one end is fully open. The other has only about 1 foot of ventilation towards the top. Roof hangs over a bit which helps with rain. Also backs up against a 6’ wooden fence. Essentially blocking wind and rain from the back.

 

[Aunt Angus]

I’m in a southern climate. Only one end is fully open. The other has only about 1 foot of ventilation towards the top. Roof hangs over a bit which helps with rain. Also backs up against a 6’ wooden fence. Essentially blocking wind and rain from the back.

Gotcha. Do they stay put? I don't know about your neighborhood, but if my birds flew out of my yard, they'd be dog chow!

Love the look of it! And guineas seem interesting. Are they as loud as people say?

 

[Topgum]

These two have actually been very quiet. They only seem to chirp when food arrives and when startled. I’m hesitant to go with more than two though! I wish I had gotten them when they were smaller but it wasn’t an option at the time. Fortunately they were raised with a coop to enter at night. Hopefully that will help. All of the Advise I’ve received suggests I should keep them cooped for a few weeks before letting them out. I made the mistake of letting them both out initially and they stayed gone for 8 days! I had to get VERY creative to catch them. Since then, I’ve only let one at a time out and that works very well. The one thats out doesn’t go far. At first I was afraid it had wandered off but I was simply looking too hard. He was snuggled upside the coop trying to get in to be with the other. Pretty cool.