I can't find the answer to this (Question about INSIDE coop)

[TrystInn]

That's where I think you really get to be creative, so have fun with it. We have additional water sources, some up in the large nesting boxes so broody hens have ready access to water and another set of waterers down near the feeders on the bottom. At some point, I'm going to upgrade those from simple water bottle and gravity waterers to either a nipple and gallon style or pvc waterers. Depends how much I can get hubby to help!

Our coop is wired for electricity, so we have the option to add a heat lamp in the winter. For the rest of the year, we have an LED nightlight with sensor that pops on automatically when it's dark and a skylight to provide natural light during the day.

Storage is a must, for us we have feed and scratch, first aid kit for the ladies and assorted cages, equipment, etc.

 

[CityChook]

Smooth painted surfaces will be substantially easier to clean.

More ventilation (up high) than you think you'll ever need. You can always close it up if desired but cutting into your coop after the fact will be a bummer.

Lots of windows. Cover them in hardware cloth if you plan to leave them open.

A roost near a window to look out of.

Raised food/water area to keep shavings out of their bowls.

I live where it's cold, so we hardwired the electrical outlet and a metal/ceramic fixture with a switch for the heat bulb.

Storage space or a shelf to keep food, shavings, DE, oyster shell, treats. A water source if available.

Remember to cut your pop door at least 6 inches above floor level if you plan to use deep litter. We put the human door at floor level and have a 1x6 in front of it to hold in the shavings. It can be slid out when it's cleaning time.

If your space is large enough, plan for a quarantine area for injured, broody or young birds.

A roof over at least a portion of your run to keep the rain/snow away. Make sure it doesn't drain into your run though.

Hope this helps

 

[sgtmom52]

I have the electricity for lights and even more important with this heat wave ~ fans. I also have a thermometer with humidity gauge.

I have a small storage area separated from the chickens with a set of shelves with clear plastic boxes to store my dust masks, paper/pencils, leg band (colored zip ties) and cutter, some old tools, etc. Anything you don't put in sealed boxes will be covered in dust very soon. Of course I have a broom, dust pan, garbage can and muck bucket.

My newest coop is 12x14, split inside into 2 coops and a storage area. The coop is insulated and the ceiling & walls (luan plywood) are painted with semigloss paint. The floor is vinyl covered in wood shavings.

 

[MareeZoCool]

You need a bottom surface that's easy to clean. I painted my floor with a barn paint -gloss finish. The poop scrapes off pretty easily, & I can also scrub it with some soapy bleach/water to sanitize.

 

[Thomas423]

If you plan on having a light, I recommend using a dimmer switch. That way the light doesn't "suddenly" go out on them. We installed the the dimmer switch on the outside in a weather proof box. Around 9 pm we go out and dim the light, wait about 10 mins for them all to get up on the roosts and then turn the lights off all the way. Also, our main light is an enclosed light that is weather proof. We didn't want dust getting in/on the bulb.