Large Open Coop with Covered Run Design & Build with Costs and Pics

[3KillerBs]

- we decided to frame a storage closet into one end and use extruded metal for floor and shelf (because I had it)

You'll be glad of that.

 

[Missceegee]

One day it will be dry enough to climb up top and fasten down the roofing tin. Alas, it may not be this day.

 

[Missceegee]

Day 4 Progress
- one Lowe’s trip
- two sections of hardware cloth put on
- figured how to cover the uneven top and soffit area; My brother tried explaining why he built the top the way he did. I’ve no idea. but it will work
- put together the large rollaway nest box and placed it; still need to attach it. I have a medium size one to put in as well. The large should accommodate 45 chickens but they don’t all share well.
- purchased tin for the 3 wall sections
- built storage area shelf and doors
- gonna try rolled galvanized flashing for interior wall liner about 10-12” deep to keep the litter off the walls.
- ran the power temporarily on top of ground from our movie screen hanger thingy which helps get the work done
- still the roof tin is not attached too rainy


Decisions and input welcome
- how and where to place stuff: feeders and supplemental water will go in center and water bar on the side wall by the door. Roost bars? Dust bath? We have about a 35’x10’ rectangle since building the storage area
- do I need a full height separate area for the chicks? They fly and roost as high as possible. I want to move them in this new coop with but safe from the bigs. There are 6 of them (3 created polish that are pretty small, 1 silkie, 2 ameraucana). Options I have include fold up puppy pen about 4’ high or we could build some full height fold back walls out of chicken wire or hog wire.

 

[Kiki]

 

[rosemarythyme]

- how and where to place stuff: feeders and supplemental water will go in center and water bar on the side wall by the door. Roost bars? Dust bath? We have about a 35’x10’ rectangle since building the storage area
- do I need a full height separate area for the chicks? They fly and roost as high as possible. I want to move them in this new coop with but safe from the bigs. There are 6 of them (3 created polish that are pretty small, 1 silkie, 2 ameraucana). Options I have include fold up puppy pen about 4’ high or we could build some full height fold back walls out of chicken wire or hog wire.

Roosts should go wherever it's most well sheltered from the elements.

Dust bath... what litter are you planning on using once all is said and done? If it's sand or deep litter with soft plain dirt underneath, the chickens will be happy to dig themselves a bath in a location of their choosing.

For chicks I would not do "full height" simply because it's not necessary. Something like 2-3' tall (or the 4' puppy pen you mentioned) is plenty for chicks until they're big enough to move in with the flock. My chicks go from an in-run brooder about 23" tall to a 2' tall chicken wire surrounded "safe area" (very short term), and then they're in the run with the adults.

 

[3KillerBs]

I don't bother providing a dust bath. They dig their own wherever they see fit -- and move it regularly for whatever reason their little chicken brains say it should be moved.

I figure that they know what they're doing.

 

[Missceegee]

Roosts should go wherever it's most well sheltered from the elements.

Dust bath... what litter are you planning on using once all is said and done? If it's sand or deep litter with soft plain dirt underneath, the chickens will be happy to dig themselves a bath in a location of their choosing.

For chicks I would not do "full height" simply because it's not necessary. Something like 2-3' tall (or the 4' puppy pen you mentioned) is plenty for chicks until they're big enough to move in with the flock. My chicks go from an in-run brooder about 23" tall to a 2' tall chicken wire surrounded "safe area" (very short term), and then they're in the run with the adults.

Great news on the chick area. I wasn’t sure if the it would give enough protection. I’ll put their food and water in this area and hope the bigs leave it alone once combined.

Deep litter is the plan. prob a mix of things because of the size of the area. I have hemp and pine shavings but it will still need more.

I plan to put some roost in the open end and enough for all in the three sided closed area. I was going to do all the same height but wonder if ladder would accommodate different breeds better?

On the semi enclosed end with the nest boxes and roosts, how much vent above the metal side walls would you recommend?

 

[Missceegee]

You'll be glad of that.

Perfect solution. It’s what they’ve done in their current mobile cluck wagon. And one less thing.

 

[Missceegee]

Agrees.
No need for the coop to be elevated with all that covered run space.

I believe it was your wire enclosed soffit area that showed us how we could do the same. Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I plan to put some roost in the open end and enough for all in the three sided closed area. I was going to do all the same height but wonder if ladder would accommodate different breeds better?

On the semi enclosed end with the nest boxes and roosts, how much vent above the metal side walls would you recommend?

I can't decide if ladder vs same height roosts are "better." On one hand, birds tend to want to roost at the highest spot, so if all roosts are equal they should use them evenly. On the other, heavier or older birds or even integrated chicks may have an easier time with laddered roosts, so those can be ideal in some situations. Might want to try it one way, and if it doesn't work as you'd hope, well, most roosts are fairly easy to move or alter if that's needed.

Depends on what your wind directions/weather patterns are like on the 3 sides with the metal walls. If one side takes the brunt of wind the majority of time, might want to skip venting that side entirely, or only having small vents with louvered covers.

Otherwise something like 4-6" just under the roof overhang is plenty, and not so wide as to be a problem in most typical storms.