My small coop plans (blueprints, materials list) - How large should the entry/exit be & the nest box

[CoopDeFoudre]

I've found another thread about poop boards https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/621363/poop-board-convert-warning-graphic-gross-poop-pictures/20 and I will probably build one under the roost that I will install. I like the idea of sweet PDZ. Sounds like it lasts forever if you use a kitty litter scoop to pick out the poo. Also kills any smells that might be there too.

Question - My nest boxes will be external to the coop, 12 inches off the floor - How high should I make the roost? I'm thinking 24" since the front side of the coop is approx. 4 foot tall (outside dimension). I'll probably just do 1 roost the 4' width of the coop. Does that sound good?

Our nest box is 6" off the floor and roost is at 24" stretching the 4' across our coop (ours is 3'x4'). I think that setup will be fine for you though you have 2 more birds to contend with, so they may get a little crowded on there. If it's possible, I would maybe do two roosting bars 12" apart, one at about 20" high and the other at 24-26".

 

[jimmywalt]

Here is my thought regarding the poop board - I love the idea of the Sweet PDZ.

Since my coop is only 4' x 4' (floor area) and the front is 4' high, the back is 3 1/2' high, what I will do is make a "poop board" with 4" high sides and lay it directly on the floor of the coop. It will be about 18" wide (if you all agree that's a good size) by 4' long. I'll fill it with PDZ and then have the 1 roost 24" above that. Hopefully the poo will fall into the PDZ.

The nest box will be 12" off the floor (and external to the coop), so the roost will be twice as high as the next boxes.

I have a 28" clean-out door on the side so I will have the roost on the same side about 12" from the side (does that sound right to keep the poo off the inside wall?) and have the poop board centered below.

The rest of the floor will have pine shavings (purchased in compressed bags).

I don't want to give up too much of my 4' x 4' floor space to the poop board, yet I want to make it easy for me to clean out the coop (and keep the smell down for my neighbors).

Just to remind everyone we have 3 ISA Browns, 1 Bantam & 1 Araucana.

Thank you.

 

[jimmywalt]

One more question - Would you put a window up here (this is the front that will have the 8' x 3' x 3' run attached).

You can see where I marked it on the fiberboard (centered below the vent holes)


I will have a window above this clean-out door below for sure!

 

[jimmywalt]

Alright - Here are some updated pictures of my build. It's coming along great. I figure a few more hours and I'll be done!

Side view - Hardware cloth in the window opening. I'll install the actual window once the coop is in place in the yard (I don't want to break it when moving)


Inside the nest box. Two dish pans 14"x12"x4". I put a divider between the pans after I took this picture.


View of back of coop. Nest box with hinged lid and lock, and two vents for air.


View from the back with the nest box open.


Nice side view. Cleanout door big enough for me to crawl in if I have to.


View from the front window (window isn't installed). I covered the nest box after taking this picture to keep the chicks out until they are old enough to lay eggs. I don't want them thinking that the blue dish pans are a place to sleep. You can also see the 2x2 roost. It's 24" off the floor and higher than the nest boxes. The girls will be able to look out the window, and on warm days when it's open they will feel the fresh air from outside.


View of the nest box from the inside. The opening is 24" long by 12" high. I hope it's high enough!!! The dish pans stand 4" high, so the hens will have to get in their spots with 8" of head room. I was thinking that if I have to, I can cut down the dish pans to meet up with the 2x2 that 's holding them in on the bottom. Or I could even just remove them and put straw in the nest area. Any thoughts on this????


Here is the 4' long roost looking out the window.


Here's the front view of the coop. The window will be installed once the coop is in place in the back yard. The hens will enter/exit through the 12x12 door in the lower right corner.... I still need to make a ramp for them to walk up/down.


Another view


Still need to make the poop board, shingle, paint, trim, windows and a few other small things.....

 

[nab58]

What a work of art! you must be very proud. it's almost a shame to let chickens in to poop all over it.

 

[aart]

Very Nice!!

 

[CoopDeFoudre]

Looks really good!! It's like a chicken palace.

 

[3arthm0ther]

That looks great!! My only concern is that if you put your poop board on the floor they will sleep in it. That link you posted about the poop hoards mentioned that. You would still have the floor space if you mounted it to the wall and would be able to make the front high enough so they couldn't roost on the side or snuggle into it to sleep.

 

[jimmywalt]

That looks great!! My only concern is that if you put your poop board on the floor they will sleep in it. That link you posted about the poop hoards mentioned that. You would still have the floor space if you mounted it to the wall and would be able to make the front high enough so they couldn't roost on the side or snuggle into it to sleep.

Thank you!

I really can't mount it because the roost is just inside the clean-out door (just above the door - so that it's higher than the nest boxes) and I would never be able to crawl in the coop if I needed to or to even clean it. I put the roost on the same side as the clean-out door so that it will make it easy to scoop the poo off the poo board. Hopefully they don't try to sleep in it.

 

[3arthm0ther]

I

Thank you!

I really can't mount it because the roost is just inside the clean-out door (just above the door - so that it's higher than the nest boxes) and I would never be able to crawl in the coop if I needed to or to even clean it. I put the roost on the same side as the clean-out door so that it will make it easy to scoop the poo off the poo board. Hopefully they don't try to sleep in it.

I see what your saying. Maybe there is a way to attach it to the wall but have it removable? Like have it snap on, or even make it sort of like a shelf that just sits on its brackets?