ISO coop expansion advice

[Chicken Granny NW TN]

Hey everyone! I currently have four hens and one rooster in my coop (all bantams). We have recently hatched out nine new bantams. These babies are all going to be moving to the coop within the next couple (2-3) weeks. I am needing some ideas on how to modify our existing coop and add roosting bars or fix up this new section and let them divide themselves. Where should I put their nesting boxes? I have attached pictures. I welcome any and all advice as this is new to me.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You're going to need to convert the entire coop/mini run into a coop.

So to turn it from 2 small "boxes" (tiny coop above tiny run) into 1 bigger "box" you'll want to remove as much of the inside coop wall as possible, plus the floor. Take out the old roosts too.

Run a new roost(s) lengthwise across the newly open space. You will probably need 2 to account for current birds as well as the new additions.

Board up some of the external wire walls so that the roost area is protected from winds and rain. Do NOT fully cover up all the wire, you need ventilation and natural light, so at the very least a few inches under the roofline should remain open. If your climate allows for it, you can leave entire walls open with just the mesh, or make it convertible for the season by covering up open walls for winter, and then uncovering for summer.

Example of a converted coop/run into a coop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

 

[BDutch]

I would keep this coop for the 4 bantams and make a new one or buy a shed/bigger coop for the chicks which is big enough for all you’re chickens.

Someday they may all get together in the larger coop. You can keep and use the small coop e.g. for isolation, a broody, or new chicks in the future.

If you use strong netting (cat netting or netting for big birds ) you can tighten the netting with rope. By adding framing you can gain hight.

And of course. I hope you can find all you’re answers here!

 

[BDutch]

My coop with an extension and 2 connected runs behind it. The run you see is made from a party tent frame with strong netting. That year the snow sticked to the netting. Only strong netting holds that kind of snow . If you live somewhere up north you probably need solid roofing.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters, especially when building a coop, and we can give better advice if we know what you're dealing with.

You're going to need to convert the entire coop/mini run into a coop.

This is exactly what I was going to say.

 

[Chicken Granny NW TN]

You're going to need to convert the entire coop/mini run into a coop.

So to turn it from 2 small "boxes" (tiny coop above tiny run) into 1 bigger "box" you'll want to remove as much of the inside coop wall as possible, plus the floor. Take out the old roosts too.

Run a new roost(s) lengthwise across the newly open space. You will probably need 2 to account for current birds as well as the new additions.

Board up some of the external wire walls so that the roost area is protected from winds and rain. Do NOT fully cover up all the wire, you need ventilation and natural light, so at the very least a few inches under the roofline should remain open. If your climate allows for it, you can leave entire walls open with just the mesh, or make it convertible for the season by covering up open walls for winter, and then uncovering for summer.

Example of a converted coop/run into a coop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

That’s really cool! Do you have pics of the inside? Thanks for the help.

 

[Chicken Granny NW TN]

Welcome to BYC.

Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters, especially when building a coop, and we can give better advice if we know what you're dealing with.



This is exactly what I was going to say.

I am in NW Tennessee. We get snow maybe one or two weeks a year.

 

[3KillerBs]

I am in NW Tennessee. We get snow maybe one or two weeks a year.

So you probably don't need a fully-enclosed coop and could just put walls on the windward sides of the coop -- maybe even extend them into the closest section of roofed run. That would give you plenty of room under cover.

Unless your bantams are a very tiny, delicate breed, that is.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That’s really cool! Do you have pics of the inside? Thanks for the help.

Unfortunately I don't as it's not my coop. Someone posted an interior pic of their conversion (post #36) but it's hard to see anything since the birds are all roosting. Let's see if @ThatTeowonna has any updated photos of interior?