How did we do for our first coop? Any suggestions? Almost finished

[Lor]

BTW: It's a beautiful coop! You did a wonderful job!

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

You are off to a good start, however, with 6 birds in a 24 square foot coop they might get a little fussy in bad weather. Also, unless you are restricted on flock size, there's really no room for more chickens once chicken math kicks in. You may have read that 3 square feet per bird is enough, it really isn't and they will squabble and fight when confined during really bad weather when they won't go out in the run. As previously mentioned, the nest boxes should open at the top. Also, since the avian influenza has arrived this year and with the high detection rate in your area, it would be a good idea to plan ahead for the fall migration south and determine how to protect your flock now and to incorporate that into your coop plans.

 

[3KillerBs]

I definitely could completely open the run side gable. And removing the blocks in The soffit would Be easy as well.

Great!

Have a look at my brooder to see how draft-free and generous ventilation can go together.

It has 16 square feet of permanent ventilation and another 10 feet of supplemental ventilation, but is completely draft-free down at chick level.

And thank you

You're welcome.

I owe my knowledge to the people here sharing their knowledge with me before my former town even changed their policy to allow chickens.

BTW, in re: nests, I've got a front drop down on mine, both the little coop in this photo and in the big one. We found that top-opening boxes leaked at the hinge.

 

[tripletfeb]

I agree with the other posters as well, it is a great looking coop and you should be proud of it! And since you seem very willing to change the few things we've mentioned, I have no doubt this will be a wonderful coop for you!

 

[Brooks_]

Some tweaks to be made, but I agree that it is a fantastic start.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I definitely could completely open the run side gable. And removing the blocks in The soffit would Be easy as well.

Those are definitely the 2 best places to add ventilation in a coop/run of this type, and with hot summers having more than minimal ventilation is advisable. Those vent types/locations are also the best to have open during winter as they're mostly climate protected.

 

[Saltywoodduck]

You are off to a good start, however, with 6 birds in a 24 square foot coop they might get a little fussy in bad weather. Also, unless you are restricted on flock size, there's really no room for more chickens once chicken math kicks in. You may have read that 3 square feet per bird is enough, it really isn't and they will squabble and fight when confined during really bad weather when they won't go out in the run. As previously mentioned, the nest boxes should open at the top. Also, since the avian influenza has arrived this year and with the high detection rate in your area, it would be a good idea to plan ahead for the fall migration south and determine how to protect your flock now and to incorporate that into your coop plans.

I did read something like that. There is a wealth of information out there, some of it conflicting and apparently inaccurate. I will be at 4 sq ft of hen house space per bird. And 12 sq ft of run per bird. They will be allowed to free range when we are home. I wish chicken math could occur, but a local ordinance limits us to 6 birds. is there anything I can do to help with that behavior should I see it?

 

[Saltywoodduck]

Welcome to BYC. That's an attractive and well-built coop and should be a good size for 6 birds. You should be proud of it.

However, I agree with the others in re: concern for adequate ventilation.

The usual guideline is a MINIMUM of 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation per adult, standard-sized hen.



Given that the windows referenced are likely to have to be closed in the winter to keep drafts out of the roosting area and the fact that even small amounts of snow block ridge vents, this is unlikely to be adequate.

Winter ventilation is necessary because while chickens tolerate DRY cold down to 0F and below, moisture plus freezing temperatures causes frostbite. The chickens themselves generate a great deal of moisture from their breath and their poop, especially at night when they're on the roost.

This is what you're looking for in terms of airFLOW to remove that moisture:

View attachment 3114343

If you can open up your soffits under the roof overhang and open the entire gable triangle inside the run where it's sheltered by the roof that should give you the airflow you need.

Ok I made a bunch of changes Based on yours and others suggestions. Let me know what you think. I drilled out the soffit blocks, completely opened the run side gable, and to get a little low flow on the bedding, I installed a half dozen circular vents just above where the litter should be. Enough? Or more?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I did read something like that. There is a wealth of information out there, some of it conflicting and apparently inaccurate. I will be at 4 sq ft of hen house space per bird. And 12 sq ft of run per bird. They will be allowed to free range when we are home. I wish chicken math could occur, but a local ordinance limits us to 6 birds. is there anything I can do to help with that behavior should I see it?

The only way to cure it is to give them more space.

 

[Saltywoodduck]

You can't see in as it is opening. Ours is similar as in the roof of nesting box doesn't open but the front part does. Ours opens down, though.
The way our coop is the nesting boxes are at my face height. Not fun when you find a snake in there. LOL I would be leery opening from bottom up.

I took your suggestion, and started again with the door. Let me know if you approve.

The only way to cure it is to give them more space.

understood. I will hope. Maybe a windbreak on lower run in winter will help them go out?