Hello from Tucson, AZ!

[mydaisy]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
The trap door method can be difficult to work with as the chickens can easily kick the bedding down the hole and the area under the playhouse isn't really large enough for the run. Some of the run can go under it and would be a great place to leave the feed and water but chickens need 15 sq ft per bird in the run, 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 1 linear ft of roost space per bird.

Yes, this. My dear hubby built mine like this 4 years ago. I have hated it for 4 years! He actually built a "box" if you will, to go around the opening but they still kick the bedding down. They poop all over the ladder because one of the roost bars go across the opening But the worst part is cleaning the darn thing. I can't just scoop out all the bedding so easily, a lot of it goes down below. They free ranged most of the day, so the space wasn't an issue. This year, I am closing it up as we have a new big run for them. I am making a little door like a normal person and will be able to clean it so much easier. I am so happy.

 

[PrettyMcChicken]

Maybe I can figure out a way to put a ramp down using a little door cut through one of the side walls instead. Sounds miserable to clean haha

 

[PrettyMcChicken]

Maybe I can figure out a way to put a ramp down using a little door cut through one of the side walls instead. Sounds miserable to clean haha

I’m formulating a plan right now, nixing the trap door idea. Thanks!

 

[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!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC.

 

[Idaho Chicken Bungalow]

Welcome! Never less chickens ! Always more! You are going to be great as you are planning ahead!

 

[PrettyMcChicken]

Welcome! Never less chickens ! Always more! You are going to be great as you are planning ahead!

Thank you!! I’m going to extend the run anyway since I might end up wanting even more I’m so excited. I get my chicks Sep 2nd so I’ll probably have a million more questions once they’re here.

 

[springvalley123]

Hi and welcome! I also live in Arizona, but north of phoenix where it's more rural and cooler, especially in the evenings.

Here's our state thread:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/arizona-chickens.31227/page-8152

You might want to have a 3 sided coop--possibly by replacing the wall that the door is on, with more hardware cloth and 2/4 wire (heavier gage than hardware cloth for the bigger predators). You'll want to see which side the winter winds mostly come from, and keep that as one of the closed sides, and use the leeward side as the side with the wire, and the door (which could also be made of wire in a wood frame)

Open air coops are great for our heat!