My Nearly Finished Coop

[DCFire13]

Bought 6 ladies about 6 weeks ago and had to rush them a coop to live in, because laying eggs in my basement was simply not an option. Haha

This coop was inspired by many coops I found here, as well as elsewhere on the web. It will be getting a paint job in the coming days, and we'll be adding a few DIY feeders and waterers in the run, finish up the landscaping around the coop and a poop hammock under the roost. If you have any questions or comments on the coop and run I will be happy to answer them.

P. S. The orange strap was to secure the nesting box until I could get the latch added. The floor was also covered in a cheap laminate to allow for easier cleaning.

 

[Hamiam]

Very nice! Welcome to BYC!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Wow looks nice and solid, good job.

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Damn, YO! Dat coop be looking fly....gnome-sayin?!

 

[Rob Tof]

Some one did there homework A+ Job

 

[drumstick diva]

WOW Hope you will enter it in one of the coop contests BYC seems to have often.

 

[DCFire13]

Any chance someone could give me pointers on getting them to use the roost in the coop and not the nesting boxes for sleeping and chilling?

 

[aart]

Any chance someone could give me pointers on getting them to use the roost in the coop and not the nesting boxes for sleeping and chilling?

Block the nests so they can't get into them.
If they are of laying age, block nests an hour before roost time, then uncover after dark when you lock up.

I hacked a hinged cover that's easy to use and always ready to go if I need it.

 

[DCFire13]

Not laying age yet...covering the boxes is a good idea. Great little hack to the boxes BTW. I am wondering if the roost is too high? It's currently 31" from the floor.

Thanks

 

[rosemarythyme]

If your chicks aren't using a 31" roost it isn't because it's too high, it's more that they don't understand they're supposed to use it. You can try putting in a temporary ramp to encourage them to go up on their own (something as simple as a branch that's not too steeply angled will work), or just pick them up and put them on the roost at dusk until they figure out that's where they should be.