I am working on getting a coop

[SandyRiverChick]

I have been trying to work out how to make more space in the coop for my birds. I was considering enclosing the run space under the coop, and adding a second litter tray for easier cleaning.
What do you all think? Any suggestions?
Thank you in advance.
SPREAD YOUR WINGS AND FLY.

If you mean 2 roost spaces one over the other, none of them will chose to roost on the low bar. If that's not what you meant, sorry. What I would do is remove the back wall between the indoor and outdoor part of the coop with the goal of doubling the roost/coop space. It already has enough roofing for this idea so you'd enclose and add a roost bar.

 

[Rebechenson75]

There is a roost bar in the outdoor area and one in the current coop. If I add solid walls in the lower part the will have additional sheltered areas to go.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have been trying to work out how to make more space in the coop for my birds.

You can convert the whole unit into a coop.

To turn it from 2 small "boxes" (tiny coop above tiny run) into 1 bigger "box" you'll want to remove as much of the inside coop wall as possible, plus the floor. Take out the old roosts too.

Nests might be able to stay as is, or may need to be relocated elsewhere or replaced - depends on the structure of the coop and how things inside stack up once done.

Run a new roost(s) lengthwise or widthwise across the newly open space, depending on how much roost is needed. Ideally you’d like 12” per bird but 10” can suffice in many cases.

Board up some of the external wire walls so that the roost area is protected from winds and rain. Do NOT fully cover up all the wire, you need ventilation and natural light, so at the very least a few inches under the roofline should remain open. If your climate allows for it, you can leave entire walls open with just the mesh, or make it convertible for the season by covering up open walls for winter, and then uncovering for summer.

Example of a modified prefab: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

 

[NatJ]

There is some just needs more. My birds are only 7.5 weeks. They will be fine for a couple months till we can get the big coop built.

Chickens grow very fast. If they need a bigger space, they need it faster than you can build a bigger coop.

The chickens currently are housed in a completely enclosed run with a tarp shading the end with the roosting bars and food/water.

The current housing might be enough until you get a big coop built, as long as the tarp does not collapse under snow or rain or something, and the roosting area is sheltered from cold winter winds.

If the current housing works, then you may not need to fuss with improving the pre-fab coop, just get on with making the good coop you want to have long term. They can go in the pre-fab or not as it suits them, and they may use the nestboxes when they start laying eggs (probably sometime between January and April, based on their ages and how much natural light will be available.)

 

[Rebechenson75]

I'm going to enclosed part of the area under the coop to give them better areas to get warm or stay dry. They get tons of natural light. The area under the coop is sturdy..

 

[NatJ]

I'm going to enclosed part of the area under the coop to give them better areas to get warm or stay dry. They get tons of natural light. The area under the coop is sturdy.

For providing more shelter, that makes sense.

Regarding natural light and the effect on egg laying, it can vary by the season (less in winter, more in summer), the weather (cloudy days are darker), landscaping (shaded by trees or not), by housing method (a tight warm coop is sometimes dark, unless the person specifically plans for windows or lights), and by other things as well. It also seems that some hens need more light than others to lay eggs, so a mixed-breed flock will often have some that lay earlier in the spring or later in the fall than others do. All of that is why I suggested they might start laying anytime between January and April

 

[Rebechenson75]

For providing more shelter, that makes sense.

Regarding natural light and the effect on egg laying, it can vary by the season (less in winter, more in summer), the weather (cloudy days are darker), landscaping (shaded by trees or not), by housing method (a tight warm coop is sometimes dark, unless the person specifically plans for windows or lights), and by other things as well. It also seems that some hens need more light than others to lay eggs, so a mixed-breed flock will often have some that lay earlier in the spring or later in the fall than others do. All of that is why I suggested they might start laying anytime between January and April

There is a windows on one side that gets good morning light. Their pen gets shade in half of it most of the day. The other half is full sun.

 

[NatJ]

There is a windows on one side that gets good morning light. Their pen gets shade in half of it most of the day. The other half is full sun.

Chickens can be happy and healthy with many different levels of light, it just has some effect on how much they lay and when it happens.

What you have is probably good, especially because it gives them a choice of temperatures too (shade in hot weather, sun when they want it.)

 

[paintedChix]

What are you planning for your "big" or "main" coop?

Many folks here can help w/ ideas.

You may actually do better w/ a predominantly open air coop in TN. Many ways to do it, some more cost & time effective than others.

 

[Rebechenson75]

Our coop is connected to a 10' x 20' run that is completely enclosed with chicken wire. 1/3 of it is covered with a tarp to provide shade and shelter. When we build the permanent run and coop, the run will have cattle pannels on the top to help discourage flying predators the coop will be a converted shed that is 10' x10'. The current coop will be repurposed to housing and introducing new birds to the flock.