How can I make this better?

[kayjk27]

My fiance and I built this coop/run without any planning or much research. We have a 5 month old polish roo and 3 light Brahma chicks. The idea was that there would be 3 nesting boxes. I just put that roost up the other day but it's too high. My little guy still just sleeps on the edge of a "box" as circled in the pic.

Just looking for ideas/suggestions on how to make this better before my chicks start using the coop too. Thanks.

 

[PirateGirl]

Is the floor area what you are calling a nesting box? Anything under the roost will get covered in poop. You don't want the eggs to be laid under the roost.

When you say the roost is too high do you mean it's too close to the ceiling or that it's hard for the birds to get on? If it's hard to get on, then you can lean a board up as a ramp until they get used to it/grow bigger.

 

[KikiLeigh02]

I think you're right about it being too high, especially when your Brahmas get full size. You could always add a board underneath the roost to catch droppings. If you'll only have 3 pullets you really only need one nesting box. It looks like you may need some ventilation though. Maybe it's just not pictured?

 

[KikiLeigh02]

There are lots of great ideas for small coops here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/small-coops.18/

 

[kayjk27]

So there's small air gap on both sides of the roof (one side circled in first pic) Is that enough ventilation? It does not seem to get too hot in there or anything.

I was thinking I could box this side in to create a nesting box (drawn on second pic). With a roof to catch poop from the roost.

But then that still leaves the problem of the roost being too high, and even if it wasn't too high there's not enough room for all 4 birds to roost...

 

[KikiLeigh02]

What if you ran the nesting board longways? Something like this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mikecnorthwests-chicken-coop.47820/

 

[kayjk27]

So put the nesting box here still and then put a roost long ways like this? Lol hopefully the pic makes sense...

 

[jthornton]

What is the inside depth, width and height as looking at that photo?

Hopefully the chicken wire is only needed to keep the chickens in and not for predator protection...

If you add your location to your profile it helps everyone know your general weather patterns.

JT

 

[PirateGirl]

So put the nesting box here still and then put a roost long ways like this? Lol hopefully the pic makes sense...View attachment 1435276

Yes, like this drawing. Run your roost the long way. Try and make it at least a foot off the floor, a foot from the ceiling and a foot away from the walls if possible. It would be good if you have the ability to close/block that door at night so there's not wind blowing on the roost, but the chickens will adjust based on weather if they roost closer to the opening or further away. I know many don't prefer it, but I have an internal nest box in my coop. You can just use a milk crate (or something of similar size) turned on it's side and stuffed with straw. Put in the corner furthest from the door so that it's the darkest part of the coop and not drafty. I put about a 3 inch high board across the front of the milk crate to create a lip so they don't kick the bedding and eggs out of the nest box. It can sit directly on the floor (the key is for it to be lower than the roost). The chickens really aren't that picky.

 

[kayjk27]

And then I think that leaves me room on the left side for 1 or 2 nesting boxes