I need your coop pictures! Writing a BYC article

[black_cat]

I was thinking most serious, like which is the most dangerous mistake for the chickens.

Ohhh, ok! In that case, I completely agree with your list.

 

[Weeg]

Ohhh, ok! In that case, I completely agree with your list.

Cool, I'll clarify as to the way its listed in the bringing of the article to minimize confusion. Thank you!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you're saying 'top ten' as in 'most common', then I'd go:
10. No walls
9. Not preparing for rodents
8. Adding heat
7. Too many nesting boxes
6. No roosts
5. Hard to clean (this and 6 are interchangeable on the list, imo)
4. Prefabs
3. Predator proofing
2. Coop size
1. ventilation

Somehow, under #6, could you include other roosting errors? I know some novices make the mistake of putting the nest boxes above the roosts and then wonder why their chickens insist on sleeping in the nests. Or the nests are too high and the chickens get bumblefoot or other foot injuries from jumping down and landing on a hard surface. Or insufficient roost footage, not enough roost space for the number of birds in the coop, leading to bullying. Roosts too near the wall, leading to really messy walls! That's all I can think of at the moment. And no, I have not made ALL of those mistakes myself, personally! Just some of them!

 

[BigBlueHen53]

This is going to be a great article! Looking forward to reading it!

 

[Weeg]

Somehow, under #6, could you include other roosting errors? I know some novices make the mistake of putting the nest boxes above the roosts and then wonder why their chickens insist on sleeping in the nests. Or the nests are too high and the chickens get bumblefoot or other foot injuries from jumping down and landing on a hard surface. Or insufficient roost footage, not enough roost space for the number of birds in the coop, leading to bullying. Roosts too near the wall, leading to really messy walls! That's all I can think of at the moment. And no, I have not made ALL of those mistakes myself, personally! Just some of them!

Thank you! This is super helpful! I included roost footage in the No roost paragraph, but I'll definitely add more of your suggestions for sure. Thank you!

 

[black_cat]

Somehow, under #6, could you include other roosting errors? I know some novices make the mistake of putting the nest boxes above the roosts and then wonder why their chickens insist on sleeping in the nests. Or the nests are too high and the chickens get bumblefoot or other foot injuries from jumping down and landing on a hard surface. Or insufficient roost footage, not enough roost space for the number of birds in the coop, leading to bullying. Roosts too near the wall, leading to really messy walls! That's all I can think of at the moment. And no, I have not made ALL of those mistakes myself, personally! Just some of them!

Corner roosts could be added as well.

 

[black_cat]

I'd also make sure to put drafts in your 'ventilation' section. A draft at roost height in the winter could be deadly.

 

[Weeg]

I'd also make sure to put drafts in your 'ventilation' section. A draft at roost height in the winter could be deadly.

I did add it briefly, but I'll be sure to better outline the dangers with this design. Thank you!

 

[Weeg]

Update to add that I need a few more pictures. I decided to add a piece on the end of the article for fixing/repurposing your mistakes.
Anyone have pictures of external nesting boxes converted to storage? Or Prefab's being used a brooder instead of a coop? I'll add this to the beginning of the article as well.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I will post a pic tomorrow of my coop that has "ventilation" in the wrong place entirely. It's a big open window right next to the roosts. I can close it when it rains or snows, but then there's virtually no ventilation. When it's windy the birds won't roost there so I had to create another roost opportunity on the opposite wall. You'll see, it's just an example of how NOT to build a good coop. Perfect for "Coop Mistakes 101," Lol.

Here is the worst mistake I made in my coop. Works great in summer.