Maintaining coop quality

[ChickenMamaMeg666]

Okay Soo I’ve had a coop for almost a year now the section the chickens lay in is missing an entire half because it was wood and they scratched it so much it fell through and the other half that has a slide out metal bottom to clean it has now corroded and has a big hole in it I’ve just bought a new coop I will be setting up today but I was wondering if there were any steps to take to keep coop from disintegrating

 

[ChicNmom]

I have a slide out under the roost for easy cleaning. I put a layer of thin laminate, like you would use for inexpensive kitchen countertops, on the slide out so it would be easier to clean off and also so poop etc wouldn't be able to soak in.

I regret not putting it on the wall behind the roost.

 

[aart]

Okay Soo I’ve had a coop for almost a year now the section the chickens lay in is missing an entire half because it was wood and they scratched it so much it fell through and the other half that has a slide out metal bottom to clean it has now corroded and has a big hole in it I’ve just bought a new coop I will be setting up today but I was wondering if there were any steps to take to keep coop from disintegrating

Show pics of old coop and new.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Agree that the best advice is going to come from seeing what you've got. When you say that the wood disintegrated, I'm thinking it's partical, osb or vaneer... ?? Likely better quality material is what you need but pics will solve the mystery of what you're dealing with. All of that said, even good quality wood with manure constantly on it is going to break down. The poo tray laminate is a good call on your part. I have tin panels on my roost bar walls just incase a dookie hits it....

 

[ChickenMamaMeg666]

Agree that the best advice is going to come from seeing what you've got. When you say that the wood disintegrated, I'm thinking it's partical, osb or vaneer... ?? Likely better quality material is what you need but pics will solve the mystery of what you're dealing with. All of that said, even good quality wood with manure constantly on it is going to break down. The poo tray laminate is a good call on your part. I have tin panels on my roost bar walls just incase a dookie hits it....

 

[ChickenMamaMeg666]

This is the new one it’s being built now

 

[SilverBirds]

Both of those premade coops are absolute junk. I've used the producer pride coop for chicks, and it mostly held up for 2-3 years, but it's way too small to house more than 2 adult standard birds. I would return it and buy a coop off of FB Marketplace or Craigslist or build a sturdier coop for the same price.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

The problem is that those coops aren’t made to last and they were only built for a quick sale.

 

[fowltemptress]

Those pre-made coops are junk quality to begin with, but the bedding in that one picture also looks soiled and wet. I'd give up on the prefab coops and build or hire someone to build one, but also keep up with the cleaning to make sure the bedding doesn't get so soiled it gets corrosive.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

No one wants to hear that they wasted good money so here is what I'd do to use the coop that you just got, put a roof over it. It's relatively inexpensive to get some barn poles and make a wood shed type covering with corrugated roofing panels. It would really extend the life of the lower quality wood product and other benefits. It looks like you have a cute spot and run and I bet the roof/car port type covering over it would be attractive too. My coop has some not so new or great quality wood here and there but the fact that it doesn't get wet really helps prevent rotting as well as external paint. I do think you can work with what you have until and unless you're in the mood for a total re-engineer. Good Luck!!