I think my roosting bars are too close?

[jessicam128]

I am new to BYC and chickens in general. We bought a coop from a coworker who has had chickens for years. The coop is about 3.5ft by 3.5 ft wide and 4 ft tall with 2 roosting bars and 2 nest boxes. The highest roosting bar is 2 ft high and only 5 inches from the wall. Then the next bar is only 6 inches away. That doesn't seem like enough space. But I don't know how to change it and have enough room.

Drawing of Overhead view

 

[henless]

How many chickens are using the coop?

I see two options.

Option 1: Take out one of the roosts, and move the other one so that it is more centered in the free space. Make sure that it is not over the nests.

Option 2: Make some exterior nests, which will give you all the room in the coop for roosting. I would then put the roosts about a foot from the wall, and a foot between them.

 

[jessicam128]

We have 6 chicks that are currently 3-4 months old. Thank you for the suggestions. I think I need 2 roosting bars...so I guess I need to build an external nesting box. Would this be something built onto the existing coop at the back. It seems like it wouldnt be too involved or expensive.

 

[henless]

You could put them across the back. You could also put them along one of the sides, then you will still have that access door into the coop.

 

[jessicam128]

So I know if the nesting boxes are under the roosting bars then poop would fall on them. Is that the reason why they aren't suppose to be under a roost. The nesting boxes do have removable tops that can be cleaned off. Is their another reason why it's not a good idea? Thank you for your suggestions henless!

 

[jetdog]

So I know if the nesting boxes are under the roosting bars then poop would fall on them. Is that the reason why they aren't suppose to be under a roost. The nesting boxes do have removable tops that can be cleaned off. Is their another reason why it's not a good idea? Thank you for your suggestions henless!

Why not make a external laying box?2 12x12 boxes attached together and trace it on the outside and cut the hole and install with screws. It would give you more floor space and would prevent pooping in them.

 

[henless]

Poopy eggs are not pretty. I'd rather move the nests and not have to worry about chicken poop on my eggs.

 

[jessicam128]

The nesting boxes have tops...like actual boxes...so no poop would drop on them.