Is there such a thing as a coop that's too big?

[Melky]

I bought marine grade vinyl, cut pieces to fit 80% of pen panels( left half a foot open toward roof) ..lined edges with gaffing tape then used the marine snap on screws. I can just pull them off and snap them on when needed. Word of advice.I tried to make them snug against panels and in really cold weather it shrinks a bit which makes lining them up to snap a pain..have to pull and stretch it. I am going to move the screws a little closer for View attachment 1513311 a bit more giveView attachment 1513310

Thks for sharing!

 

[RNPAULIE69]

"rnpaulie69 you sound very level headed and you know what you want , good for you that is rare these days .

I’d make one wall so when you walk into the coop there’s a door into the coop , great for keeping it warm and save some space for feed, meds and poop buckets

You don’t need a rooster , never get one then. A flock at peace with each other and you is a gift not to be taken for granted ! Have fun planning"
Thanks!!! I was always taught to research any pet I brought home, and give them more than what they need to live a happy fulfilled life. My girls have 175 sq feet of pen space which is overkill to some but when we went away for 10 days in April they only got to free range twice and are used to doing so every afternoon and I felt bad so we bought the second pen. I see so many posts about bullying and pecking I am leery of adding any. I have two pugs who adore each other and have tried three times to add another. They don't want another friend! I feel the same with the hens..they are perfectly happy and so peaceful that after a year I still am not sure who is boss. I know my buff is the bottom hen but that's it lol My husband is not a fan of the girls so I also try to respect his feelings. He looks at all the space they have and just shakes his head but he knows it makes me happy to give them a good life [/QUOTE]

 

[Cryss]

Can you direct us how you made snap on vinyl barriers? Where did you get your materials? I’m trying to decide what I need for winter. Right now I just have a weather tarp for snow. Debating changing floor bedding straw versus dirt for warmth etc. I have a small unheated house as well. They are cold hardy birds but worried about frostbite as others have experienced it.

IMHO, don't use straw. It can cause crop impaction issues. I use pine shavings. They're really cheap and work well. And this year I'm picking up the coop and placing it on a floor lined with linoleum which I will still cover in pine shavings.

 

[Melky]

IMHO, don't use straw. It can cause crop impaction issues. I use pine shavings. They're really cheap and work well. And this year I'm picking up the coop and placing it on a floor lined with linoleum which I will still cover in pine shavings.

Good to know thanks! I currently use pine shavings. I’ll stick with.

 

[Cryss]

My coop is not from tsc, it was hand made, very sturdy. You can't see it in the picture..its attached at the back if the pen on right..pen my husband built pen on left is tsc crap but size is great and hubby built me a "chunnel" to connect them

Excellent! It looks like the same style, glad its a well built coop! TSC should stop selling those crap coops. You have a really nice set up.

 

[RNPAULIE69]

Excellent! It looks like the same style, glad its a well built coop! TSC should stop selling those crap coops. You have a really nice set up.

 

[RNPAULIE69]

Excellent! It looks like the same style, glad its a well built coop! TSC should stop selling those crap coops. You have a really nice set up.

This is my little coop

 

[Cryss]

I love it! So cute! Nicely done and I like your locks. Mine are sliding bolts that are difficult for my arthritic fingers especially in winter. I'm gonna change mine.

 

[townchicks]

You could get the shed and move the smaller coop into the shed, raising it up on blocks at the same time. Then you could leave the pop door open for more ventilation, locking up the shed for safety. They would still have a small inclosed space to snuggle together, but you would add height and increase ventilation, w/o a lot of additional work. Then if you do want to add chickens later, you've got it half done already

 

[RNPAULIE69]

You could get the shed and move the smaller coop into the shed, raising it up on blocks at the same time. Then you could leave the pop door open for more ventilation, locking up the shed for safety. They would still have a small inclosed space to snuggle together, but you would add height and increase ventilation, w/o a lot of additional work. Then if you do want to add chickens later, you've got it half done already

The little coop weighs a ton, took 5 guys to lift it in truck and that was before my hubby added wood and enclosed the bottom part with the swing door. That is where they dust bathe. My pop door is open 24/7 as the pen is just as secure as the coop.the problem is the height of roof so moving it into another structure doesn't fix it unfortunately