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Looking for feedback on coop and run (video)

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by EvanMacDonald, Feb 29, 2016.

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  1. Feb 29, 2016 #1
    EvanMacDonald

    EvanMacDonald New Egg

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    Feb 26, 2016
    Greater Seattle Area (Monroe) Washington
    Here is a video of my walking through the run and coop:



    Sorry for the shaky video!

    We bought our home this past summer and this run and coop were all here. The previous owners kept 8 hens. We just got 5 chicks (I say in the video that we are going to get two more, but we decided not to). While our chicks grow, I am going to prep the "facilities."

    Some things I am planning on doing:

    CLEANING THE COOP!! This thing is filthy. I read that water with vinegar works great. I will remove all chips and feathers, scrub walls, boxes, etc. Considering adding some paint to the inside walls and in the nesting areas so that its easier to keep clean (oil-based or something super durable like that).

    Cleaning the yard area. The two bushes you see in the video by the front door of the coop have been completely removed. All the brush and other junk in the chicken yard are being removed as well. I think I will keep the A-board thingy, but will clean it up a bit as well (thinking of putting some slats on one side so its easy for the birds to climb and perch on top, get shade under, etc.

    Considering adding a floor? Not sure it this makes sense. Seems like it would make cleaning easier?

    Would really like to add a poop-catcher board under the roosts (might need to move the roosts too)

    Since we have 5 chicks, I am thinking of blocking off the top three nesting boxes. Will 3 be enough? Would 6 be too many?

    What am I missing?

    Thanks for checking this out and any and all feedback is much appreciated!!
     
  3. Feb 29, 2016 #2
    ChickenMammX4

    ChickenMammX4 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    SW Ohio
    Honestly? I'd trash that coop and build something from scratch. By the time you clean it, add windows for ventilation and predator proof it, the time and money could be put into something much more useful.

    There are some great ideas in the COOP section. (In the bar across the top of the page) You can go as plain or fancy as you wish.

    Since you already found a dead opossum, you know predators are around. The coop and run will need to be very secure.
     
  5. Feb 29, 2016 #3
    Percheron chick

    Percheron chick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Apr 12, 2013
    Boulder, Colorado
    It will work but I agree that a new coop is a better way to go.

    For the coop, dirt is fine. You will add bedding on top of it. You will have to either paint it with something like blackjack or cover with linoleum if you go with plywood. Read up on deep litter to simplify this management issue. Anyway to add a window? I would like more airflow. I would rotate the roost (1 is all you need for 5) 90* so you can walk inside. 1 nesting boxes will probably be all they use so 3 is already overkill. Loose the heat lamp. A regular light is nice in the winter but safety first. Replace the wire with hardware cloth and figure out the possum.
    Your soil looks like clay so figure out how the water runoff will flow before attacking the yard. The wood thingy is a shade safezone. Personally, I would get rid of it and plant some bushes for them to nap and hide under. Junks up the yard.
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2016
  7. Mar 1, 2016 #4
    aart

    aart Chicken Juggler! Premium Member

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    Nov 27, 2012
    SW Michigan
    My Coop
    Agrees new coop would be best....but......
    Since you already have the chicks, you're probably not going to tear that down and build a new coop?
    But you might need to about gut that thing and rebuild the interior anyway.
    Percheron chick makes some good suggestions about ventilation and drainage and heat lamp.

    What is your climate?...adding your location to your profile can help folks give better answers/suggestions.

    Video is good but some wide still shots of exterior and interior would be easier (for me) to address each aspect.

    That A-frame leanto in the yard would be nice for some shelter from sun and rain, but might also afford them a leg up in flying over the fence.
    Chicken wire will not keep predators out. 1/2'" hardware cloth secured with screws and washer, or screwed on trim covering edges, is the way to go.
     

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