Help me make modifications to my prefab coop

[MagistraTn]

Reposting this as I originally posted it in “raising baby chicks” and couldn’t seem to delete…

we have 7 barred rocks who are just 2 weeks old. Of course, the lady at tsc said this coop would be great for 6 (they sent us +1) and my son loves a project, so…this is what we have (bonus chick pic)

the “run“ portion has 9 sq ft. And the coop portion has about 5.5 sq ft. This whole structure will be placed inside a predator proof (hardware cloth buried to 18”, roofed) 160 sq ft. Run. i am also concerned about the ventilation, as there is only one small (1’3”x5”) window. There are gaps between the roof, maybe an inch or less. Then there are 3 nesting boxes.

my first idea was to extend the floor out into the run across 1/2-2/3 of the space and move the ramp to the other side. We would probably need to add a little protective wall area. We are not the handiest family, but I suspect our ability is about to increase through experience.

my second idea was to simply add another nesting box on the outside and put another roosting bar above where the current nesting boxes are. I think I could easily find some nesting boxes to affix, but I’m not sure that would give our 7 chickies enough space? It would at least get enough for 1’ roost for each (or within 5%)

if I need to add extra ventilation I was thinking we could cut a window above where the ramp is now (and or on the sides of the nesting boxes) and cover with hardware cloth.

we are grateful for any input from the experienced elders here

 

[rosemarythyme]

I already commented on the other thread but glad you included more photos here. Unfortunately the entire unit is simply too small to do a coop/run-into-coop conversion. For 7 chickens you're looking at 28 sq ft, and this whole thing clocks in at around 9 sq ft. I don't see a feasible way to increase the floor space by 3x without a lot of extra building on.

To reiterate: Any possibility of having a coop built into your 10x16 run? If your climate is agreeable to it, you don't need a fully enclosed coop, just a draft protected area for the chickens to roost in and shelter in during storms.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Reposting this as I originally posted it in “raising baby chicks” and couldn’t seem to delete…

we have 7 barred rocks who are just 2 weeks old. Of course, the lady at tsc said this coop would be great for 6 (they sent us +1) and my son loves a project, so…this is what we have (bonus chick pic)

the “run“ portion has 9 sq ft. And the coop portion has about 5.5 sq ft. This whole structure will be placed inside a predator proof (hardware cloth buried to 18”, roofed) 160 sq ft. Run. i am also concerned about the ventilation, as there is only one small (1’3”x5”) window. There are gaps between the roof, maybe an inch or less. Then there are 3 nesting boxes.

my first idea was to extend the floor out into the run across 1/2-2/3 of the space and move the ramp to the other side. We would probably need to add a little protective wall area. We are not the handiest family, but I suspect our ability is about to increase through experience.

my second idea was to simply add another nesting box on the outside and put another roosting bar above where the current nesting boxes are. I think I could easily find some nesting boxes to affix, but I’m not sure that would give our 7 chickies enough space? It would at least get enough for 1’ roost for each (or within 5%)

if I need to add extra ventilation I was thinking we could cut a window above where the ramp is now (and or on the sides of the nesting boxes) and cover with hardware cloth.

we are grateful for any input from the experienced elders here

That's a tiny coop for maybe 2 possibly 3. How much are you willing to add on or change?

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

What's Tennessee normal temps and the hottest plus lowest?

 

[MagistraTn]

I already commented on the other thread but glad you included more photos here. Unfortunately the entire unit is simply too small to do a coop/run-into-coop conversion. For 7 chickens you're looking at 28 sq ft, and this whole thing clocks in at around 9 sq ft. I don't see a feasible way to increase the floor space by 3x without a lot of extra building on.

To reiterate: Any possibility of having a coop built into your 10x16 run? If your climate is agreeable to it, you don't need a fully enclosed coop, just a draft protected area for the chickens to roost in and shelter in during storms.

Thanks again, the guy who is building the run quoted $3000+ to build a 40sq foot coop at one end. We are building a house nearby with more land, (and an old milking barn I’m thinking of converting to a coop, but that is a next year project) but I wanted to get going on the chickens, so I was trying to keep it simple and low cost. When will I ever learn

 

[MagistraTn]

That's a tiny coop for maybe 2 possibly 3. How much are you willing to add on or change?

I guess we’re gonna find out! Im willing to spend if it increases the value of our property. I’m not sure about the real estate value of chickens, but considering many current factors, I think a protein source readily available is a good addition.

I’m not sure about my climate as we just moved here, but I think it’s generally mild in the winter (snows occasionally, but melts quickly. the ground definitely freezes) and I’ve heard hot & humid in the summer.

 

[SheaLoner]

I dont see why it cant work temporarily plenty of free range time and add some roost bars to the pen portion and some type of wall to block weather. You could turn the prefab into just the coop portion and add an actual run space. Hoop houses are easy to add on.

 

[Matejka]

Open it up.
Take out the sliding trays in pic #2
Remove the wall in pic #7. I did this with my coop. Now, my flock has increased by 3 and I need to add another roost.
Then you have a protected nestbox area, more ventilation, and add another roost bar. You do not need more nestbox. You don't need 1 per chicken . I have 6 hens and 4 nestboxes. 2 of the boxes are never used. They were all laying in 1 box til hen went broody and started sitting In the preferred box
The girls moved to adjacent box and left broody alone. She has now hatched 3 babies and moved then to floor of coop
This is original coop.

Then after removal of walls and trays

 

[SheaLoner]

Ditto on the nest box. I have 15ish? hens and even with 4 boxes available they only use 2.

 

[MagistraTn]

Open it up.
Take out the sliding trays in pic #2
Remove the wall in pic #7. I did this with my coop. Now, my flock has increased by 3 and I need to add another roost.
Then you have a protected nestbox area, more ventilation, and add another roost bar. You do not need more nestbox. You don't need 1 per chicken . I have 6 hens and 4 nestboxes. 2 of the boxes are never used. They were all laying in 1 box til hen went broody and started sitting In the preferred box
The girls moved to adjacent box and left broody alone. She has now hatched 3 babies and moved then to floor of coop
This is original coop.

Then after removal of walls and traysView attachment 3012151

Excellent, thank you! Thank you!