Help me with my coop plans please

[Vickischics]

I don’t want to “live & learn” I want to learn & live
The open coop design sound appealing for maximum ventilation. However I want to be able to lock them up completely at night. We’ve had armadillos dig 3 ft deep holes over night under our stem wall to get under our house, I’m not sure they would harm a chicken but if a raccoon or some other critter came in behind them... I don’t want to wake up to a massacre. My husband suggested the 2 smaller coops but it probably is more practical and economical to do 1 larger.

I agree. "Learn & Live"..that "live & learn" stufd can be very heart breaking.
Ventilation Ventilation Ventilation!!!

 

[cmom]

I don’t want to “live & learn” I want to learn & live
The open coop design sound appealing for maximum ventilation. However I want to be able to lock them up completely at night. We’ve had armadillos dig 3 ft deep holes over night under our stem wall to get under our house, I’m not sure they would harm a chicken but if a raccoon or some other critter came in behind them... I don’t want to wake up to a massacre. My husband suggested the 2 smaller coops but it probably is more practical and economical to do 1 larger.

http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/tips-for-protecting-poultry-from-predators

 

[cmom]

@cmom oh wow GENIUS I love love the poo pit, do you cover them during our 2 weeks of winter when it’s cold? Are your nesting boxes opposite the perches? I appreciate you sharing! Thank you so much

No I don't cover them. I only shut the coops up if it's in the 20's or below. The birds can handle it. The nest boxes are next to the roosts. The coops aren't air tight so there is still some ventilation. In this coop I have 4 nest boxes next to the doors. I have a nest box door on the outside so I don't have to go into the coop to collect the eggs.

This was when we were putting the new metal roofs on the coops.