Is my coop all wrong?!

[Finally chickens!]

Don't feel bad! I think that's a very nice starter hen house. In addition to a diverter or closure on that long vent directly in line with the roosts, I would turn the roosts to the flat side. I wouldn't do any roof or wall cutting. Nothing major. I would add smaller fencing right over the top of your existing fencing.
That is going to be a fine house. Quit beating yourself up ...

 

[Raganr]

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.

I’d add a vent or two under the tips of the roof ridges, you will want to close those windows in the winter. Also you can move those roosting bars to create more room for them. the top bar will be “fought” over so I like to have my bars all at the same height. Allow them enough space, 12 inches each on the bar, to sit/snuggle together if cold and hopefully other options for the hot summer or to allow those who don’t like to sit next to each other other options. The nest hatch is very large and easy to get into. I’d add TWO latches so one end can’t be opened up by a raccoon or other predator. Pretty coop though.

 

[Chikwhisperer]

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.

Can you re-notch perches & flip 2X4’s to lying flat? That will close the gap more. We had to buy a bunny hutch during Covid debacle ev buying chics & nothing was available. We then built a lg tall box on 4x4 legs & attatched the two on lgr base taking back wall off of BH & reversing leaving a lg opening. On The BH side on 2X4 frame support attatched 2 lg nails & 2 across same on 2X4 outer wall support to hold a 2X4 bar/perch in place can easily remove to scrub! Then slightly lower notched both ends into the 2X4 supports. The BH allows for 2 nesters above 2 below & doors are grt ventilation in summer. other lg box for s sleeping & ventilation shelter etc. under walking room & also all around combo slide bk pcs over BH screens/doors to blk cold/wind in winter. Sorry these were taken earlier seems I deleted the perch one which I now need. BTW added linoleum to cover bk walk + floor of perch area easy clean up Have 3 R Reds & 1 Australorpe now 1st batch were all males but the Australorpe f

 

[3KillerBs]

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.

IIRC, when people tried the experiment with offering different kinds of perches it turned out that the chickens don't care nearly so much as the owners do.

 

[Melissa67137]

I may be only about 2yrs into chicken keeping myself, but why couldn't ya open up the triangle area above the door frame and a matching area on the other end for upper ventilation?

Having read all the responses before commenting I will with hold all other comments I had on the coop as it looks like ya got a local helper that will get ya all squared away in what ya need.

As for a bigger run, watch for a chain link dog run..... that's what I did paid $100 for it and I then covered it with cattle panels, hardware cloth, and a tarp......instant covered chicken run. (Don't mind the small dog crate inside....the old girl started molting and the new pullets we're picking on her so I had to separate them)

 

[CarlaCo]

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.

Yes we plan on removing and adding 2x4 flat side up. Thanks

 

[CarlaCo]

I may be only about 2yrs into chicken keeping myself, but why couldn't ya open up the triangle area above the door frame and a matching area on the other end for upper ventilation?

Having read all the responses before commenting I will with hold all other comments I had on the coop as it looks like ya got a local helper that will get ya all squared away in what ya need.

As for a bigger run, watch for a chain link dog run..... that's what I did paid $100 for it and I then covered it with cattle panels, hardware cloth, and a tarp......instant covered chicken run. (Don't mind the small dog crate inside....the old girl started molting and the new pullets we're picking on her so I had to separate them)

Thought of adding vents in the gables and still may but the area there is teeny tiny so it alone would not be sufficient.

 

[CarlaCo]

Don't feel bad! I think that's a very nice starter hen house. In addition to a diverter or closure on that long vent directly in line with the roosts, I would turn the roosts to the flat side. I wouldn't do any roof or wall cutting. Nothing major. I would add smaller fencing right over the top of your existing fencing.
That is going to be a fine house. Quit beating yourself up ...

Aw, thanks for saying that! We’re def adding hardware cloth..

 

[gehrig38]

First off let me say this. You're fine. You are talking about 6 birds. That's more than enough for them. The only thing you need to 'prep' for is the extreme cold and your Roo's comb and wattles. Vaseline covering them before the real cold sets in will keep him from getting frostbite. Ventilation is fine and the easiest thing I've found to do with these coops is to build you a little "screen door' if you feel you need more air. You can leave the main door open on days you feel air is needed. It's 6 birds, you aren't going to get overheating (which btw, heat is far deadlier than cold in every possible way). And btw, RIR are very hearty birds, used to northern temps for the most part.

 

[Ashley & Donna Dame]

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 coop looks like it'll be big enough. We live in maine and from past experience the smaller coops stay warmer with the heat from the chickens bodies. I woukd definitely move one roosting bar. They are too close. I'd also do as suggested and put smaller hardware cloth on the opening. Rats can also climb through the existing wire. In our experience our chickens like being near the opening/wire because they get the air. We've had chickens for almost six years. Not as long as some but long enough to learn a lot from the birds.
You've got a nice coop. Another suggestion is using the shiny bubble foil insulation. It seems rats and mice aren't fond of chewing it and it'll give the chickens some extra warmth. Not to mention it's not expensive. Best of luck.