Have a look, if you don’t mind.

[CoffeeKat]

Y’all wanna put your heads together with me and figure out the guts of this thing? There’s a slide out tray made of metal that can be removed. The nesting box is elevated and easy to get to. So if I can keep those there that would be best.

There’s a straight on view and an inside view from the top. There’s also one under the run to show that area.

help me maximize my space. See previous comments for the weather report in my area.

 

[jus10inla]

Personally id gut the entire thing & make it into 6 nesting boxes. Add roosting bars on the outside of it.

u dont need to go all elaborate. You have the food & water & space as it is now. Just nesting boxes is all you need.

many wont agree with me but for our southern climate just give a bird food water & shelter & enjoy… u dont have to convert sheds & buildings & build fancy houses for them, they survived thousands of years just as they are

 

[rosemarythyme]

Y’all wanna put your heads together with me and figure out the guts of this thing? There’s a slide out tray made of metal that can be removed. The nesting box is elevated and easy to get to. So if I can keep those there that would be best.

There’s a straight on view and an inside view from the top. There’s also one under the run to show that area.

help me maximize my space. See previous comments for the weather report in my area.

Are you planning on converting it to all coop? If so, toss the tray. You'll be removing the interior wall as well. Nest box may or may not work where it is after all is said and done. Run the roost either lengthwise across the newly opened space, or two across the shorter width.

Your weather is pretty mild so you want to modify with hot humid summer weather in mind more than trying to keep them warm in winter.

 

[jus10inla]

Make some roosting bars like this & brace off the coop u have

as you can see for my chicks 1 month- 4 months, thats there yard ., its 7x7 iirc. Ive had as many as 10 in there. They had shelter, water, & feed.. after 4 months i open a hole for thrm to start hanging out with the big girls. By 5 months there all sleeping together

 

[CoffeeKat]

Are you planning on converting it to all coop? If so, toss the tray. You'll be removing the interior wall as well. Nest box may or may not work where it is after all is said and done. Run the roost either lengthwise across the newly opened space, or two across the shorter width.

Your weather is pretty mild so you want to modify with hot humid summer weather in mind more than trying to keep them warm in winter.

I’m trying to wrap my brain around moving the nest box if needed. To collect eggs I can’t figure out how to move it in a way that is accessible.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’m trying to wrap my brain around moving the nest box if needed. To collect eggs I can’t figure out how to move it in a way that is accessible.

I should probably change how I word that to "move or add new nest boxes," because when I had to expand space in my prefab for a 4th bird I had to axe the old nest box and add a new one. In my case I added on a dog house that was laying around the yard, and the lid came off for egg retrieval.

 

[CoffeeKat]

I should probably change how I word that to "move or add new nest boxes," because when I had to expand space in my prefab for a 4th bird I had to axe the old nest box and add a new one. In my case I added on a dog house that was laying around the yard, and the lid came off for egg retrieval.

View attachment 2779940
View attachment 2779941

Ok. I follow.

my area is highly shaded with soil that drains poorly. I was considering the deep litter method, but now I’m wondering if I should elevate the coop off the ground and add a floor on blocks since moisture can be an issue in such small spaces.

 

[rosemarythyme]

my area is highly shaded with soil that drains poorly. I was considering the deep litter method, but now I’m wondering if I should elevate the coop off the ground and add a floor on blocks since moisture can be an issue in such small spaces.

Yes I would consider elevating the coop in that case. I don't think there's wood around the base at all, correct? But it's still good to keep the frame of the coop off the ground to protect from dampness.

Deep litter should still work in your run however you should look into improving drainage at the location via drains or trenching.

 

[CoffeeKat]

Yes I would consider elevating the coop in that case. I don't think there's wood around the base at all, correct? But it's still good to keep the frame of the coop off the ground to protect from dampness.

Deep litter should still work in your run however you should look into improving drainage at the location via drains or trenching.

Correct. The frame is metal.

I wish it were that easy. Lol. We have clay soil, and this is a ubiquitous problem in our neighborhood. My subdivision is literally a deciduous forest seldom touched by sun rays. Lots of moss, bugs, and perpetually damp ground long past the initial rainfall. It was enough of a concern that I pre made a dust bath in a bin with a lid in case the ground was damp for awhile and the girls needed access to dust.

I’d love to move to a sunnier, less moist locale—much to the disappointment of the hoards of mosquitos using me as a Taco Bell…

…I digress. I’ll elevate the ladies.

 

[3KillerBs]

In your climate and with having an existing humidity problem you need to pull the interior walls and as much siding as possible -- leaving windblocks on the side you expect winter storms from.

Look at my brooder -- a big, empty, airy space. If I hadn't been using it to brood chicks I'd only have tarped one end and half the sides. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-to-outdoor-brooder-conversion.76634/

They don't need a fully enclosed place, just shelter from rain and wind.