ideas on shed/coop

[rita2paul]

hello all, ok hubby is building me a shed for my chickens and i would be grateful of any advice please.
how high should we put the nesting boxes, do you add ladders to each box, what should they be made out of, wood, crates, plastic bins. do you put a poop board in. i would like to add a brooder pen so all the chickens can see the babies but not harm them. do you paint the walls to keep mites down. anything you have done but would do different this time.
sorry for all the questions but i would like to pick your brains on what you all did, so we have a good chance of getting it right. thank you.

 

[jthornton]

I would start out reading the Modern Fresh Air Poultry House book.

Also add your location to your profile, answers for Nome and Miami differ...

JT

 

[rita2paul]

I would start out reading the Modern Fresh Air Poultry House book.

Also add your location to your profile, answers for Nome and Miami differ...

JT

ok, thank you. i live in England, cold and draughty.

 

[aart]

Here's some tips on the height of things:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-should-stuff-be.73427/
Pic in there shows nest bank with perch running in front of 4 nests and a ramp up to perch.

I have a temporary wire and wood wall that I put up to brood and integrate new chicks.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

Not sure about painting to deter mites, unless you used a lime based whitewash.
Or caulked all cracks and crevices then painted over to seal them.
If you have mites soaking any cracks and crevices with permethrin spray would surely help.