Just got a free coop (pictures) how can I make this the perfect coop?

[sheeshshe]

OK, its stinky inside and there is some old debris and stuff.. so I need to clean it out and it needs some work. apparently where the nest box holes are there used to be some sort of plywood things that hooked to a rope or something? when you pulled the rope the plywood would move up and expose the holes... something of that matter anyways!!! are these holes necessary since there is a door and I could get the eggs that way? should I just get wood and completely cover that side? there is also air vent type thing near the roof is that going to be an issue in the winter for drafts?

The dimensions of the coop itself appears to be about 4.5 feet x 4.5 feet or something like that. I have 4 chicks. is this going to be sufficient? I plan on having them run around outside during the day. they can roam the yard. there appears to be some sort of a run thing but I need to put fencing... it doesn't seem very high though, is that ok??? I would like to use the run for times when we have to leave for the day so that they can still be outside but Im not there to make sure they are away from predators. What are your recommendations for fixing up the run? there is a door that opens up for them to go out to their run.

There isn't any roosting places in there so I'm going to need to set some of those up. should I get dowels? or should I find some thick branches and use those? what is preferred?

Thank you in advance!!!

Here is the coop

the run part

The nest boxes?
they have wire on the bottom... not sure what the purpose of that is???

From the door... you can see the ventilation stuff... not sure if this is a problem with snow and wind..

and the holes to get the eggs... to cover up or to make the door thingies...?

 

[TennesseeTruly]

Hey free is good and it will take just a little bit of work to get that in tip top shape! You need ventilation in the coop. But I think I would change that chicken wire to hardware cloth. Not a big job at all.

If you have access to a power washer, I'd use that to clean it. I think you can even rent them at Home Depot or Lowes for not too much money.

I think you got yourself a cute little coop.

Laurie

 

[luvanimals3]

I would make sure everything is pretty reinforced since it looks like it has its fair share of wear and tear. I like the holes in the back. You could make a door big enough to cover all the holes and just hinge it and put a really good latch on it. That is how I have mine but then we(knock on wood) dont have any really serious predators here and the weather doenst get as cold. I think a nice paint job and cleaning and it will look nice! I like using branches for roosts. More natural that way.

 

[sheeshshe]

my neighbor has a power washer, I'll ask them if I can borrow it!

Im not sure how the whole thing cleans out.. haven't had much time to investigate LOL!

OK, can I get that cloth at the regular hardware store? what would you recommend for closing in the run?

and is this coop going to be ok for 4 chickens? could I possible put 5 in there?I have no clue really!!! I just know that they need something to roost on!

 

[Kansaseq]

I love free! As far as size, 4 chickens should be ok in it. The rule is a minimum of 4sq feet per bird indoors, and 10sq feet per bird for the run. Your run doesn't have to be tall, unless you want to be able to stand up in it for cleaning purposes. I would cover the round holes in the back of the nest boxes. Take a long piece of wood and hinge it for a door so you can just lift it up to collect eggs. As for the ventilation, you need it, but will have to determine if the openings are causing drafts onto your birds. Ventilation is necessary, but drafts are bad.
I think you got a nice little coop. Some paint will go a long way towards making it cute and protecting it from weather. You'll have to post more pics when it's done.
As for roosts, the general consensus on here is that 2x4's on their side make good roosts. Chickens aren't really perching birds, but rather sit on their feet, so a flat surface is better ( especially in cold weather).

 

[FlashPointFarm]

Great coop for free!

First, I'd power wash the sucker to get the gunk and grime off, then disinfect with an agriculteral disinfectant. TSC has it.

After that dried, I'd spray it down with alcahol to make sure the wood is very dry, I saw a painter do this once when painting aged wood. Then prime and paint so it lasts longer and is easier to clean.

For the run, I would use welded wire, not hardware cloth or chicken wire. Most predators can't get through 1x2" welded wire.

Make a door on top of the run so you can get in there. Make a door so you can close the chickens into the shelter in case you need to catch them.

I'd say the nest boxes would be fine with the wire since you'll have bedding for the nest anyway. Better ventilation too.

 

[sheeshshe]

should I take off some of those nest boxes to make more room for them to move around in there? I heard that a lot of times they all use the same nest box....

OK, 2x4's for the roosts... should I put two in there?

and paint! are you guys suggesting that I paint it in and out as well?

how long do you think it'll have to go without rain in order to be able to paint the thing? LOL!! the wood looks pretty wet, afterall it has rained for 3 days straight! what color should I paint it? any suggestions? any home interior designers here? HHAHWHHEHEH

 

[Kansaseq]

My 4 hens all use the same nest box, so yea, you could remove 1, or even 2 if you wanted.
I recommend painting the inside as well as the outside.It's a pain, but makes such a HUGE difference. I have one that is painted inside, and one that isn't. The painted one feels very light, airy, and clean. The unpainted one feels dingy, dirty, and just unpleasant.


As for exterior color, I would match the color of your house. Of course, you could get creative and just pick a color that you really like, and maybe stencil it. I painted mine a soft green to blend in with the grass and woods that surround it. It's really up to you. Just have fun with it.

I don't know off hand the rule of thumb for roost space. Anyone??


Edited to add photos

 

[Judy]

About 8-12" of roost space per bird, depending on whether they are bantams or heavy breeds, although they will snuggle up and don't really use that much, so one roost should be plenty. One nest box would be plenty. The slant on top of the nest boxes is not going to be enough to prevent them from roosting and pooping up there.

I'd certainly paint it inside and out. Use exterior semi gloss both places, and prime first, and it will stand up to many washings. Oxine is a disinfectant sold for this kind of cleaning, but personally, I'd use a bleach water solution, let it dry, then an ammonia water solution. Using both kills all the nasties that could be hiding there.

Might want to call around to lumber yards and feed/farm stores on the hardware cloth or welded wire. If you go with welded wire, be sure they are good welds; this stuff varies a lot in quality and it won't stop anything if they can pull the welds apart. I prefer hardware cloth for this reason, smaller than 1".

 

[ducks4you]

After it's clean, I'd attend to the old broken pieces of hardware cloth and other such wire, and remove them. I would worry that my birds would find that ONE piece sticking out and hurt themselves.