Hello from Aus! Thoughts on our set-up?

[Chicky-obsessed]

Hi BYC community! A big hello from Adelaide, Australia

We are super excited on the prospect of chickens. Have been doing on our research and needing some coop advice please. Well.. really any helpful advice for newbies

We're planning to get 6x Isa Brown girls for egg laying but really just to spoil as pets. We've been working on a reno'd cubby housed in a 6x4 metre cage type enclosure, and that's within a fenced area around 100m2 which they'll have through the day. They'll also free range our 1 acre property when we're around. We live off a fairly main intersection which is good in a way re predators however plan to lay down vermin wire in their house and they'll be locked in their house at night of course.

Attached are photos of the coop in progress. My husband did the roosters bars but i'm just not convinced they're okay. Tall one seems close to nesting boxes - only around 25cm away. We plan to put vermin wire on bottom as well as rubber before bedding material. (Speaking off... what are some thoughts on the best material?)

Initial thoughts community? Please be kind. I know it's a little rough looking but it's getting there (wish I had the money for a chicken mansion!). Will be adding more enrichment etc but want to get the foundations right for the girls. Thanks so much in advance

 

[Nomadicus]

Hello and Welcome to BYC.

 

[CurlyChickenGirly]

Welcome to BYC! Nice photos!

 

[Tookie]

Hello, and welcome! We're glad to have you here. Good luck with your coop!

I highly suggest using 1.27cm (1/2inch) hardware cloth, its the best to protect against predators. It is more expensive though, but worth it.
I would also move the roost away from the nesting boxes, and add another roost across in front of that one, and take the bottom one out. They'll all be fighting for the highest roosts, and there may not be enough space for all them up there.
Also, try adding some ventilation in the coop, at the high points. You want to keep them open all the time and have them up above the chicken's heads.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hiya, and welcome to BYC!

I agree with what Tookie said above. I see those nesting boxes getting roosted on so I'd lower those or put a slanted board on the top so they can't.

 

[N F C]

Good points made by @Tookie and @Debbie292d! If you want to read more, here's a really helpful article about coop design: Coop Stack Up article. You're off to a great start with the coop!

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[007Sean]

Howdy, and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Happy to have you here with us. Enjoy your time here at BYC!

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

Your coop needs A LOT more ventilation. I would remove the the top 2 boards of siding in both gable peaks and install a ridge vent. Roof overhangs would have been extremely useful for ventilation in the soffits. I would also get some windows in there, not just plywood that can be opened up for more air. It needs to have natural light in it as well.
As mentioned, the roosts are too close to the walls and the nest boxes. And you really only need 2 nest boxes.
Otherwise, it is a solidly built structure.

 

[muddy75]