Hello from southern IN- most common mistakes in building a coop

[zippy722]

Hello, I am going to have a coop built very soon and would appreciate others thoughts on the mistakes you felt you made in designing or building your coop. I like learning from others mistakes so I don't have to repeat them. Thanks for any tips you'd like to offer.

 

[Kevin565]

. I suggest you try the coop section: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance

 

[The Red Rooster]

Welcome to BYC!

I bought my coop and didn't make it, but I would suggest you don't leave any nails sticking out (even if they're just a little bit sticking out of the wood). I have cut myself many times one sharp nails. Your flock could do the same.

 

[zippy722]

Red Rooster, thanks for the suggestion. And Kevin565, I appreciate the link. I had been looking in that area, just thought this was the newbie intro and that was my question. Sorry for the misplacement. Appreciate all of the help I can get.

 

[TwoCrows]

from New Mexico!!

Ventilation...ventilation...VENTILATION!!! I had a ton of trouble with frost bitten combs till I just flung every window and vent open in the dead of winter, temps near zero! Chickens need a ton of air and air to move. The moisture from their breathing and pooping will create enough moisture to freeze on combs. So do not worry about your chickens freezing, as they will adapt. But those combs will freeze. I learned the hard way. LOL So make sure to put in a ton of windows and vents. As long as the air is not directly on their faces, EVERYTHING needs to be open.

Enjoy the forums!!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Hi and from Ohio. So glad you joined. Use screws instead of nails. Easier to remove when things need to be changed.

 

[zippy722]

Thanks for both comments, on ventilation and screws instead of nails. Appreciate the advice.

 

[1muttsfan]

HI and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Biggest mistake is not making it big enough

 

[Maev]

HI and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan

Biggest mistake is not making it big enough

Yep! That's what I was going to say too. Make it as big as you can afford! Using screws is good advise. I did, but I stripped so many of them with the stupid drill that I don't know how I'd get it apart. haha So if I were to do it again I'd replace the screws that started to strip instead of going ahead and stripping them all the way but getting them in.
Also, with the run, I'd make sure your posts line up perfectly, don't just eyeball it. Didn't think about that when we were placing them and it caused problems when we were putting up the fencing and making gates.

That's all I can think of at the moment!

btw,

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us. Completely agree about making it as big as you can cause chicken math kicks in & you'll end up with more chickens that you thought you'd ever want lol.