I love my coop, which I had made 7 years ago, and wonderfully housed 6 hens. Size is 6' x 6' x 16', with the inner sleep raised area of the coop 4' x 6'.
My new 17 little pullets are locked in the 6 x 16 area for now, and will soon (after aviary netting is installed over the top) will be let out during the day into the surrounding area which is currently 20' x 30', and being expanded to 20' x 50'.
My question tho. I lock the girls up into the sleepy area each night. That area is way too small for 17 adult hens. I'm trying to figure out how to modify the 6 x 16 area - thinking about expanding outside of the currently meshed over pop door, building a 30" x 12' raised floor to match the current raised area, and putting plywood backing over the back of the enclosure, then installing a single 2" x 4" roost the length of that. My question is - does that need a closeable front as well, or would they be ok / safe with it open-fronted. I believe the 6' x 16' is predator save, including the flooring.
My new 17 little pullets are locked in the 6 x 16 area for now, and will soon (after aviary netting is installed over the top) will be let out during the day into the surrounding area which is currently 20' x 30', and being expanded to 20' x 50'.
My question tho. I lock the girls up into the sleepy area each night. That area is way too small for 17 adult hens. I'm trying to figure out how to modify the 6 x 16 area - thinking about expanding outside of the currently meshed over pop door, building a 30" x 12' raised floor to match the current raised area, and putting plywood backing over the back of the enclosure, then installing a single 2" x 4" roost the length of that. My question is - does that need a closeable front as well, or would they be ok / safe with it open-fronted. I believe the 6' x 16' is predator save, including the flooring.
