Hot weather coop feedback

[ssramage]

Looking at possibly purchasing this coop for a hot weather environment (only have a couple months per year where the temp drops to 30s at night).

What do you think? I can get this for about the price of a TSC prefab coop. I've been putting off building one for so long due to time and my son is on my case to get his chickens...

Is this a good starter coop for maybe 3-4 birds? Total coop size is 4x6.

 

[Michael Stegall]

If you are going to let them free range then yes that coop should be good for up to 6 birds max I think. If you plan on having them in there at all times I would look into installing a run also.

 

[ssramage]

Thanks. We have a decent size yard so the birds will get free range time most days while we're at home. I may pickup a small dog kennel if I think they need additional run space.

 

[aart]

Couple red flags I see.

Lower roosts are susceptible to raccoons reaching in thru the rather large wire.
Am guessing that hole size is 1x2"?
Weasels and other small rodents can gain access also.
Less than 1/2" holes in mesh is best for all predator/pest proofing

Hinge on nest roof is likely to leak if not modified.
Looks like roof might cover it unless wind is accompanying rain.

Roots are lower than nests so birds may roost(sleep) in nests and poop them up.

 

[ssramage]

Couple red flags I see.

Lower roosts are susceptible to raccoons reaching in thru the rather large wire.
Am guessing that hole size is 1x2"?
Weasels and other small rodents can gain access also.
Less than 1/2" holes in mesh is best for all predator/pest proofing

Hinge on nest roof is likely to leak if not modified.
Looks like roof might cover it unless wind is accompanying rain.

Roots are lower than nests so birds may roost(sleep) in nests and poop them up.

Very good points.

I have a bunch of smaller hardware cloth at home that I could reinforce with. Also have some sheets of tin that I could place around the roost area.

Sheet of tin on nest roof also.

Not sure how to fix the roost issue being lower than nest. We'll cross that bridge when we get there. That's my main concern with this design also, but it seems to be better quality than the TSC ones and will let me know if we want to get serious with keeping chickens.

 

[lazy gardener]

In addition to @aart 's comments: The perches are extremely flimsy. the framing is also flimsy. No way will that structure keep any predator out. It could be flipped by a determined dog. Any critter could dig under it. Nest box looks too small. What are the dimensions? While you live in a warm climate, the air space between the siding boards would be good for ventilation, but would allow driving rain or snow to enter.

Even if you were to free range your flock a lot of the time, you are going to have severe stress and aggression issues if you leave them shut in that coop. Absolute minimum space for a back yard flock: 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run per bird. You should have at least 42 - 56 s.f. combined space for 3 - 4 birds.

 

[ssramage]

Thank you for all of the feedback.

Is the opinion that this coop would still be more suited than one of the TSC variants?

Long term plan would be to build up if the hobby sticks.

 

[MissChick@dee]

I have a little prefab. Hindsight I built one years ago that was much better. Motivation to do it again perhaps. The size of chickens matter (breed)it’s grossly misquoted how many chickens can “fit” into those prefabs. Mine is basically a sleeping box. My husband expanded for me. I put mine in a 20x10 dog kennel. They free range in my yard. I put up MISTERS because it’s hot where I live. They were easy and cheap. I put my coop next to a tree for shade. In summer I also threw up a patio mat for additional shade. I put up wire and a tin roof above the coop for protection and to provide a dry coop winter/summer. BTW the other side of the addition has a hinged door (basically the whole side) for cleaning and I leave it open during the heat. Have fun !!

 

[JDN]

Thank you for all of the feedback.

Is the opinion that this coop would still be more suited than one of the TSC variants?

Long term plan would be to build up if the hobby sticks.

Most certainly.

Figure out how you're going to keep it from getting tipped over whether attaching it to a fencepost or whatever, and maybe put it under a tarp, awning, whatever.

 

[MissChick@dee]

Here’s what we did. Added much needed height for the area below too. It may not show but its buried 8”.