Is my coop all wrong?!

[CarlaCo]

Good to know.

Australorps lean more to the layer end of the dual purpose concept. I don't know about RIRs. I don't much care for red chickens so I never really looked into them.

(That's purely a personal aesthetic preference with absolutely no reflection on either the merits of the breed or the aesthetic preferences of people who find them gorgeous and who might find my black, white, "blue" (grey), and black-and-white flock boring).

Well, I’m not dating them so I’m not offended.

 

[CarlaCo]

Her son helped me too. It's no big deal for me to do a construction project. I can do most of this kind of thing in my sleep (and do! It makes for a long night). I'm happy to help someone in need.

Gerard is a Recon Marine Sgt. so hefting roof tiles is easy for hm. His twin is also Recon Sgt. sometimes when he hikes he loads a rucksack up like a pack mule just for the weight. Any heavy lifting, they are invaluable. He enjoyed helping and for lunch, I’m enjoying tomato sandwiches. Thanks Tonya. So yummy and they are gorgeous shape and color. They look like a picture from a Burpee ad.

 

[DobieLover]

I’m enjoying tomato sandwiches. Thanks Tonya. So yummy and they are gorgeous shape and color. They look like a picture from a Burpee ad.

You're welcome. Thanks for taking the surplus off my hands. And thank the chickens for their stupendous fertilization services!

 

[aart]

I would imagine that the construction is about the same, other than size.

The roofing is different.

...and I just realized looking at the OP's other thread, that the coop has wheels.

 

[CarlaCo]

...and I just realized looking at the OP's other thread, that the coop has wheels.

Yes it’s a tractor. It takes a few minutes to wind the wheels down or up. We move it forward 8’ about every two days. So far the babies have eaten all the weeds in those spots and left my grass, lol.

 

[aart]

Yes it’s a tractor.

Why the construction is different from a stationary model.

 

[silverback]

This is a great thread. Just one thing to add if not said before. The roosting perches (2X4)s should be flat side up. They appear to be installed the opposite of that. You want the hens to cover their feet when roosting - not have the toes wrapped around and below where they can suffer frost bite. Also, I always smooth the edges a little.

 

[DobieLover]

The roosting perches (2X4)s should be flat side up.

It actually doesn't matter. Lots of chickens roost in trees overnight. There are no flat boards in trees.
Those are 2x3 boards.

 

[tripletfeb]

My chickens roost on a 2x2 board and are fine. Have been fine for years. I've never had frostbite in the winter and it can get down below zero here

 

[Rancher by day]

I’m new here and would appreciate any advice or help. Our chicks are 4 weeks old. We are getting the overpriced coop ready for them and I’m panicked as I notice (too late) bad design. Background info: We will have one rooster and five hens- all Rhode Island Reds.
We live in Upstate NY and our location here is frequently windy. Roosting bars are only about 45”. The top roosting bar is presently 7 or so inches from the vent wall and the next bar slightly lower but only 7 or so inches from the top bar.
I’m panicked our girls won’t fit when full grown and that they may poop on the chickens on the lower bar.
My other major concern is ventilation because it looks like the vent and window will have to be closed during winter and much of the year to prevent drafts while they are sleeping.

The perch can be relocated or buy a longer one to go diagonally. The vent window can be hinged at the top & propped open. Chickens can stay warm better in the winter rather than cool in the summer. Roosters get much heavier with time. The perch might not hold him plus the hens. If you have the room you could keep this coop to isolate a sick chicken, use as a brooder for examples. I love love love my loop coop I built. Room to walk in. Room to hang feeder/waterer. Strong for all & roomy. Much easier to walk in plus to clean out. I save my feed bags & zip tie them to the screened areas. It blocks the weather elements but it can still freeze. When the chickens perch at night I add sauve to the combs & his waddle against frost bite. Most of us just learn as we go.