Help with remodeling coop

[kmpcfp]

We will be brand new chicken owners. We got a coop for free from our local freecycle, but it needs some work. We would like to start with 4 chickens and go from there.

The dimensions are 8' x 32" with a 29" roof sloping to 26". The indoor area is 32" x 32". There is no separate nesting or roosting area. Other than "pretty-ing it up", I am thinking about completely enclosing the whole coop and adding nest boxes. I am also thinking of dropping the floor and putting the whole coop up on stilts. We will also add a much larger run area.

This thing is already HEAVY with 2 x 4 construction. The finally resting area will be on the wood edge, where it is shaded 95% of the time, it is on the top of a hill and never floods. We are in southern Maryland, with hot summers and occasional cold snaps in the winter. Any suggestions?

See the pictures.

 

[Odelia]

I think that building a frame to put this coop up on stilts is a great idea. I don't see any ventilation in the enclosed portion of the coop right now. That is a problem for the birds. You don't want to trap moisture from the birds and gasses from their droppings in the coop. The moisture will cause frostbite and the gasses are very hard on the chickens lungs. Good luck with your new birds.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Putting it on legs is a great idea, that will make cleaning it out easier. The more inconvient clean is, the less often you'll do it. That will also give them a shaded place underneath to cool off in hot weather.

At 8' X 32", the entire thing is about the right size for a coop of 4 LF hens. (4 sq. ft. per bird min. recommended).

I wouldn't close it in. Fresh air is more important than warmth.

They like to roost as high as possible so I'd put a roost in that is low enough they don't hit their heads when they jump up on it.

I'd put the nest boxes below since they'll sleep in the nest boxes if they're the same height as the roost.

Free is a beautiful thing.

 

[kmpcfp]

The inside "partition" has a vented area open to the meshed in area. How many nest boxes would be appropriate for four birds, one or two?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

One per 4 hens. With only 4 birds, I'd probably have 2 but chances are they'll all use only 1 so whatever is easy.

 

[kmpcfp]

I have been doodling, sketching and laying random objections on the floor trying to visualize size.

I hate how the roof has very little pitch as of now.

What if we cut the current coop length-wise, increased the pitch, and turned the coop into a 4' x 4' coop. The center of the coop would then be about 48" tall using the current roof.

We would then put it on 3' stilts.

We would then add on a 4' x 8' (or 12') walk-in run.

We have most of the materials to do this, so it isn't a cost issue, more of an aesthetics issue.

I realize that I am taking away square footage, but with an interior space of16 sq feet, that should still be enough for 4 hens. Plus the loftiness should help with summer heat, especially if we put in a venting ridge cap.

I am envisioning something like these:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/trictles-chicken-coop-with-plans

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/dazegonebys-chicken-coop

 

[jetdog]

I think going up with a roof is a good idea, look at the second link and notice the vent openings at the peak of the roof, mine has similar vents but I hinged them so I can open and close depending on the weather, metal roofing is always a good option if planed right there will be no screws or nails poking through the inside.