Indispensable Features?

[aoxa]

Not always if you have sufficient roost space. If you try to squeeze them onto just a bit of roost, yes you are more likely to have problems, especially when you are integrating chickens. But if you provide adequate roost space, they will normally spread out and get along even if you have a bully.
You can't say "never" or "always" with chickens. I have had hens fairly low in the pecking order leave their normal roost location and go out of their way to be brutal to younger chickens when I'm integrating, but that's fairly rare. But I have more roost space than the absolute minimum.
In reality, some of us have roosts all at the same level and they work great. Some of us have ladder roosts and they work great. Some of us have problems with one kind or the other.
We have different conditions with different chcikens and different flock make-ups. With our chickens their is seldom any one answer that is right for all of us. There is seldom any one answer that is wrong for all of us. There is just what works for us individually.

That's exactly why I said why. You can have different levels, or the same levels. It does work differently for different flocks. I have one hen that will scoot over and peck everyone off the roost she is occupying. Only one hen does that.

I have ladder roosts, and roosts that are the same height. They occupy whichever roosting height they prefer, and there are very few squabbles.

I hope it didn't sound like I'm saying "don't have them all the same height" I meant it as to say: "It doesn't need to be".

 

[Joe Jordan]

Have you considered a utility closet within or nearby the coop to store your cleaning materials, tools, and feed? I so wish I had done this on my coop. Oh well, there's always planning for the remodel, right?

 

[makemineirish]

A comment concerning "staggered roost heights" and my use of them:

The current incarnation of the plan has a raised 6'l x 6'w hen house floor 2.5' above the ground with a 3.5'h wall and a roof that slopes to another 2' higher at the apex. The highest roosts would be near the top of the 3.5'h wall (6' above the ground).

I expect all the birds to roost on the top rails. However, my understanding is that a 3'h+ sleeping spot within such a confined space could be difficult for the birds (depending on breed) to easily reach or hop down from without injury.

The "ladder" roosts are just that, rungs to reach the top level. I am not counting them in my equation of roost space per bird. The lower "rungs" may also provide safe haven for a bird lower on the totem pole or be utilized by younger birds.

The lower roosts may prove to be superfluous, but are cheap to add and easier to plan into the layout from the outset. I do not want to have to finagle with competing space later when the area left open is above the installed feeders.

I hope that this cleared up any confusion over my inarticulately synopsized plans and sounds like an ideal compromise between the pros and antis on staggered roosts

.

 

[makemineirish]

Have you considered a utility closet within or nearby the coop to store your cleaning materials, tools, and feed? I so wish I had done this on my coop. Oh well, there's always planning for the remodel, right?

Yes! I cannot imagine not having storage for at least the feed, "stirrer" of choice, disinfectant, and paper towels. In theory, the wheelbarrow and serious shovel will be used infrequently enough (and are utilized elsewhere) that they could continue to be stored in the garage.

My current thought is to do a 6'l x 6' w x 3.5'h raised henhouse with the covered run extending beneath. the exterior, modularly divided, nest boxes would be arranged on two adjacent walls. Extending and connecting the outside walls of the nest boxes at the shared corner creates an 1.5'w x 1.5l x 3.5'h niche. I hoped that this would be enough storage.

Several have mentioned the importance of storage. Do you chicken keepers have an opinion on how MUCH storage I might want to shoot for? What all do you keep in yours beyond feed?

 

[aoxa]

Yes!  I cannot imagine not having storage for at least the feed, "stirrer" of choice, disinfectant, and paper towels.  In theory, the wheelbarrow and serious shovel will be used infrequently enough (and are utilized elsewhere) that they could continue to be stored in the garage.   

My current thought is to do a 6'l x 6' w x 3.5'h raised henhouse with the covered run extending beneath.  the exterior, modularly divided, nest boxes would be arranged on two adjacent walls.  Extending and connecting the outside walls of the nest boxes at the shared corner creates an 1.5'w x 1.5l x 3.5'h niche.  I hoped that this would be enough storage.

Several have mentioned the importance of storage.  Do you chicken keepers have an opinion on how MUCH storage I might want to shoot for?  What all do you keep in yours beyond feed? 

I keep extra waterers/feeders, heat lamps, medicines, feed, scratch, grit, oyster shell, things to carry my eggs up to the house in... A playpen for a brooder all folded up... I also keep a drill there because I am often adjusting pens and things.

 

[123jenny123]

solar heat and light

 

[123jenny123]

solaar light and heat

 

[makemineirish]

I keep extra waterers/feeders, heat lamps, medicines, feed, scratch, grit, oyster shell, things to carry my eggs up to the house in... A playpen for a brooder all folded up... I also keep a drill there because I am often adjusting pens and things.

Thanks! I would not have enough space for all that in my current blueprint, and would have kicked myself down the road. I will play with ideas to incorporate more storage into my existing plan.

 

[kellysmall87]

Wow! I have nothing to add, apart from what you already know - keep it all fox proof and ventilation is a must. I use ground sanitiser (bought from ebay) to keep smells and bacteria away.
Think about ramps; some chickens can't negotiate a huge ramp up to a coop apparently. I have heard about this, but not experienced it. Think about a separate area in case you need to infirm some chickens or separate in case they fight/or you get a broody with chicks etc.

A source of heat in the winter? Maybe. Not needed though, are you in Ireland? prob not needed.

xx Good luck, keep us updated!

 

[gardendufus]

In reality, some of us have roosts all at the same level and they work great. Some of us have ladder roosts and they work great. Some of us have problems with one kind or the other.

We have different conditions with different chickens and different flock make-ups. With our chickens their is seldom any one answer that is right for all of us. There is seldom any one answer that is wrong for all of us. There is just what works for us individually.

What he/she said. It's a fact.

ETA: Things I would change about my 6 X 8 plain Jane shed coop.

1. STORAGE, STORAGE, STORAGE. I would have built another 4' onto the coop, separated, to store my feed bins, extra feeders, waterers, a rake (I use DLM only) oyster shell, grit, and other things I find myself using frequently. Also a table that I could use for checking bird condition, treating injury, etc.

2. I would have built a small entry (vestibule?) into my run so that I would not be trying to keep the dogs out/chickens in every time I enter the run.

3. I would have planned for how I was going to section off an area of the coop (by attaching chicken wire or whatever) when necessary for integration of new birds, segregation of injured birds or as I recently did to separate a bully for a cooling off period. As it is, I can separate an area of the coop, but because of where everything is placed, It's a pain in the backside getting between the two areas to feed and collect eggs. So, I would have 'preplanned a better way to do this. Now I have to 're-plan' for a spring renovation.