Is there such a thing as coop being too big?

[LALASD4]

I just wish that I would have a "too big" problem some day.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Never could be too big.

My new one I'm building is 8X12, but here's how I sectioned it off. I wanted a place for broodies, or raising new babies and wanted storage for feed/shavings. Here's what I did.

The bottom area is for broodies/babies, and I can split it into a couple sections if need be. It's not finished yet, so that's why it looks messy.

 

[koikeepr]

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That's a good plan for ventilation, but it seems like a lot of work. Why not just put a ridge vent of the roof line? It'd be cheaper and faster.
Since the door is facing south and you have hot summers, you might want to make the dividing wall that I mentioned out of hardware cloth too. That way you could leave doors open all summer to catch any cool breeze. Do you have another window on the opposite wall for cross ventilation? It's not the cold that kills chickens; it's the heat.
Before putting down the linoleum, I'd first put concrete stepping stones on the wooden floor to keep out rats, mice, and predators.
Leaves in the run... ? I'd still go with sand and let them go play/feed in the leaves when they're out of the run free ranging.
Sounds like you're planning to do everything in such a way that you won't have to worry about your chickens being safe. Trust me, that's worth all the extra expense you're going to just for the peace of mind. NOW, if you can ALWAYS remember to close the pop door BEFORE dark. I ain't admittin' nuttin!
BTW I really like the photos of the "future" coop.

Since I plan on re-roofing, I can certainly put that ridge vent in. That's another good idea! And yes, there is another window on the opposite side of the one pictured, so there will be cross ventilation.

Since it's not costing me anything to buy or build the shed (just a minor re-roofing), I'm hoping to put the extra expense into protecting the flock. I'm hoping to put in one of those automatic pop door openers that you guys are often posting a link about. Unfortunately, the area where the shed is has zero access to electricity, so I'm planning on a single solar powered shop light that should give at least 8 hours of light. 1/2" hardware cloth will go everywhere and I'm aiming for a clear poly carbonate roof on the run.

I've never roofed anything before, but I'm fairly handy, so I'm sure it will be fairly easy.

I'm not clear on the stepping stones on the wood floor?? How would that keep out rats/predators? The shed is raised about a foot off the ground all around. Do you mean stones around the base of the shed perhaps on the outside? I could certainly do that all around in front of the existing lattice.

Thanks for everyone's help!

 

[Rare Feathers Farm]

Luke13:34 :

WAAAAY too big! The ONLY way to solve that is to add more chickens!

 

[gryeyes]

Surely you jest. Too big?

I'm exactly like LALASD4: I just wish that I would have a "too big" problem some day.

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
First and most important, you need to buy the automatic electric pop door for ME since you can't use it anyway.
Second, if not stepping stones on the wooden floor, I would do something, maybe wire or metal sheeting to keep anything like mice, rats, opposums, (?) from gnawing through to gain access.

 

[koikeepr]

why can't I use an automatic door? The instruction manual I read for one in particular said it can be rigged up and be used with a 12 volt battery. I'd like to give that a whirl.

I understand what you're saying now about the flooring now...preventing vermin from gnawing through the wood floor and getting into the coop from underneath. Totally get it now. Yes, I can do this as well. I can screw the wire down and then put a thick coating of mastic for the linoleum to hold it all down. I'm also going to protect the shed underneath all around to prevent critters from getting under there to begin with, but better be safe than sorry for sure. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before a mouse or rat finds its way under there.

You've been most helpful!

 

[joebryant]

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[luvchicks8]

My coop is 10x12

 

[un-named]

Quote:
there is no such thing as a coop that is too big. mine is 24 X 56 for 5 ducks and 8 chickens.
I really need more birds!