Is my coop all wrong?!

[CarlaCo]

It's not a horrible coop; some modifications are totally possible. And, you are getting a lot of good advice.

But, if, like me, you are not comfortable cutting into the coop to add ventilation, you can make a deflector that allows air in but blocks direct drafts from hitting your chickens. I just cut up a plastic water jug and fastened it to the window frame; it directs the air up and away from my chickens. And I leave the window open all winter, even though it's extremely windy in north central Iowa. It's kind of like the ones they sell in catalogs in case you want to put furniture over a floor register and need to redirect the air flow in your house. But much cheaper!

BTW, congrats on your flock; I've always liked RIRs!

That’s a brilliant idea! In fact , I think a register thingy would work well. Thank you so much.

 

[CarlaCo]

If you can't return it and are stuck with it, I would remove the rear roost entirely. You should be able to install a portion of the removed bar about 12" off the back wall to add to your roost space.

For winter protection you can put a piece of plywood, plexiglass, or some other rigid board across the bottom of the window up to the rafters to direct the wind up over the birds heads. I would just install hooks or something like that level along to bottom of the window framing to set the wind block into then screw it into the rafters at the top.

I would then climb up on that roof, peel off the cap shingles, get out your circular saw and rip the roof deck off 2.5 inches on both sides of the peak then install a ridge vent and new cap shingles. Cap the ends about three shingles in before installing the vent, then cap the vent. That will protect the outer rafters.

View attachment 3240385

I asked my son, who actually bought the coop if we could do a ridge vent but he wants to wait and see how we an do with out it. M pretty sure we will need it but I understand his reluctance after paying so much and it being new.
I’m trying to understand where you are saying to add back some of the bar and how that would attach? I had wondered about removing it, too.
Thanks for helping.

 

[CarlaCo]

IIRC, @DobieLover is in upstate NY and can give you good advice in re: the weather.

You definitely need to open up more ventilation and to cover everything with 1/2" hardware cloth. Open along the eves under the overhang and at the very peak of the gable to allow good air flow.

Here's my coop ventilation article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

Under the overhang on both sides? How big of an opening? Would a one inch width by say 3’ all along that area work?

 

[CarlaCo]

If you can't return it and are stuck with it, I would remove the rear roost entirely. You should be able to install a portion of the removed bar about 12" off the back wall to add to your roost space.

For winter protection you can put a piece of plywood, plexiglass, or some other rigid board across the bottom of the window up to the rafters to direct the wind up over the birds heads. I would just install hooks or something like that level along to bottom of the window framing to set the wind block into then screw it into the rafters at the top.

I would then climb up on that roof, peel off the cap shingles, get out your circular saw and rip the roof deck off 2.5 inches on both sides of the peak then install a ridge vent and new cap shingles. Cap the ends about three shingles in before installing the vent, then cap the vent. That will protect the outer rafters.

View attachment 3240385

Dobie, I’m in Johnson City NY just a few minutes from the mall.

 

[CarlaCo]

Do not close the windows in winter. It looks like you really do not have enough ventilation as it is, allowing heat build-up in summer and moisture/frost build-up in winter. Most chickens (including RIRs) can handle cold weather, but direct cold drafts from the window is a problem. As long as neither window is facing the prevailing wind, they will be much better off.

As for the roosts, I'd recommend removing one and moving it so they are at least one foot apart. The total roost space is fine, but one roost will not be enough for them.

What are the interior dimensions of the coop (not including nest boxes)?

The common rule of thumb for minimum spacing of full-sized chickens is 1ft/bird roost space, 4sqft/bird in coop, 10sqft/bird in the run.

The fencing may be strong enough, but it definitely isn't small enough. Raccoons can reach through, grab chickens and kill them. Smaller animals- rats, snakes, etc can enter easily. The ideal is 1/2" hardware cloth which is much smaller and can prevent anything except mice and small snakes (annoyances only).

Although you mentioned it in your post, I recommend you add your general location in your profile. Some questions (like this one) are location-dependent and that would be helpful.

Finally, welcome to BYC. People are very helpful here, so feel free to ask questions and people will be happy to jump in and help.

Btw, I can’t find where to add my location under profile.

 

[3KillerBs]

Under the overhang on both sides? How big of an opening? Would a one inch width by say 3’ all along that area work?

The bigger the better -- think square feet rather than square inches. If you can open 2 inches or 4 inches that would be better, but anything is better than nothing.

You don't want the rain to get in, but the more you can open up the better.

Chickens can easily tolerate DRY cold down to 0F or below, but wet cold is a problem. The purpose of winter ventilation is to let the moisture and ammonia out.

Unfortunately, many people have been taken in by the deceptive marketing on bought coops. The good part is that the kind you have is better-built than the flimsy kit sort.

 

[TooCheep]

Btw, I can’t find where to add my location under profile.

Hmmm... It should be roughly 40% of the way down the page below your "date of birth" entry and is called "Location".

 

[3KillerBs]

Btw, I can’t find where to add my location under profile.

IIRC, some of these things are harder to find on a phone than on a desktop.

 

[CarlaCo]

Get a hole saw and cut some ventilation holes up high, such as gable vent and under the eaves - cover with hardware cloth. Now you've got more ventilation if you decide you need to close the window due to the rain coming in sideways or something like that

I would relocate the roost bars a few inches further away from the wall, or you'll have poop drips all along the wall there. IMO 6 chickens will fit fine across the 45" span, but the 2nd roost bar would still be a good thing, but I'd space it further away

Oh thanks for saying that! I guess I hope they will just snuggle up in the cold. But I will try to relocate that other bar. It’s too bad cause wherever I put it, it will kind of ruin the center aisle thing where it would have been cleaner. Could have had a nice poop board under the roost bars.

 

[CarlaCo]

Hmmm... It should be roughly 40% of the way down the page below your "date of birth" entry and is called "Location".

? I dunno. This is what I see when I click profile. Maybe cause I’m new?