Need coop plans

[MissChick@dee]

I really like the idea of wired windows with shutters. I want those in my dream coop. I live in the desert and the heat is horrible. I would probably love mine to be 1/2 half (top) on my east and west side. And keep my northside (bitter northern winds & storms) solid. Enjoy your chickens!! Best wishes

 

[pennyJo1960]

Does it get messy. How deep?

My shavings are like 4 inches deep the tables do not have spaces between boards like that best rake behind and in front

 

[7acres]

Thanks for responses. I would like your responses about this set up with roost and poop board over the nest. Getting Black Australorps. Will a 10 x 10 pop door be okay?

 

[aart]

Thanks for responses. I would like your responses about this set up with roost and poop board over the nest. Getting Black Australorps. Will a 10 x 10 pop door be okay?

Roost over poop board over nests is a decent layout.
Keep in mind for that specific layout you'll have to bend over and reach back for eggs.
10x10" pop door should work fine tho I prefer a bit larger, I have 12x12 and 12x18.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Thanks for responses. I would like your responses about this set up with roost and poop board over the nest. Getting Black Australorps. Will a 10 x 10 pop door be okay?

The first photo is my juvenile roost over my nests. I did not even use a droppings board, the top of the nest work for that. It's not a good design, a droppings board would be better but the juvenile roost was a later addition. I took this photo for a discussion on how often we clean out our coops. As you can probably tell, not all that often for me.

For what it is worth this shot shows my main roosts over my built-in brooder. The top of the brooder is my droppings board. As you can see I don't have any problems putting roosts over things. My one comment to your design is how hard would it be to gather the eggs. If your droppings board sticks out you might want to be wearing a hat when you get the eggs.

A 10" x 10" pop door should be sufficient for full-sized chickens. Mine is a 12" x 12" and that was big enough for a Midget White tom turkey, but Midget Whites are not huge like some turkeys. Raise the pop door a bit so the chickens do not scratch the bedding out.

 

[7acres]

thank to both. Think I will go with a 12 x 12 pop about 6 inches off floor. This is what I have so far. Getting pullets in the morning. Am negotiating with a couple of folks on helping build something. Right now the ladies look like they are living on the poor side of town. Moving into an upscale residence might give them a little more pride and they would lay better. Is the 38 inch roost to high without a ramp for one month old Australorps?

 

[aart]

You might want to put a ramp up to edge of table...
...or just set a 16" concrete block on end for a 'step'.

 

[Ridgerunner]

thank to both. Think I will go with a 12 x 12 pop about 6 inches off floor. This is what I have so far. Getting pullets in the morning. Am negotiating with a couple of folks on helping build something. Right now the ladies look like they are living on the poor side of town. Moving into an upscale residence might give them a little more pride and they would lay better. Is the 38 inch roost to high without a ramp for one month old Australorps?

I've seen 2 week old chicks fly about 3 feet horizontal and two feet vertical to get to the roost when Mama told they to get your butts up here. They launched from on top of the nests which was about two feet high at the time. Just watching them it was obvious they could have gone a lot further if they really wanted to. I have no doubt your Australorps could fly up there if they want to. The problem may be that they do not want to.

My set-up in my grow-out coop is a lot different from yours. That will have an effect on everything. Typically my brooder-raised chicks start roosting (sleeping overnight on the roosts) at around 10 to 12 weeks of age. I've had some start as early as 5 weeks, some go a lot longer than 12 weeks, but 10 to 12 is about average. The only thing consistent about chickens is their inconsistency, each group is different. They will often play on the roosts during the day but that is not roosting, that is perching. That can be another favorite pastime.

There is no telling where they will sleep at night before they start to roost. I'd think under the droppings board would be a good candidate, but they may decide on top of the droppings board is a good spot. They may go somewhere else. Just be patient, they will work it out.

You can add a ramp or intermediate step if you wish, I don't see any harm but I don't see any real need. Just because people do things like that does not mean they need to. My guess is that when they are ready they'll hop/fly up to the droppings board and then hop/fly up to the roost, either to perch or roost. When they come down some will probably hop down to the droppings board but most will likely just fly down if they are like mine.

We are all different. Some people like to micromanage, overthink and over-engineer. My brother-in-law is like that. As an engineer he does not think a design is finished until he can't think of anything to add. As an engineer I don't think a design is finished until there is nothing left I can possibly take away though I'll admit I can overthink with the best of them. I like to keep things as simple as i can. He is still a very good engineer, we just have different philosophies.

 

[7acres]

Thanks folks. I did set a block up as suggested. Do you think they will be small enough to go through kennel wire? My building won’t be done until October 15. Getting 8 x 8 Metal A roof. Painted smart board siding. No windows. Shutter with hardware cloth. 3/4 inch flooring.

 

[aart]

Do you think they will be small enough to go through kennel wire?

2x4"? Yes.
Put some smaller wire inside, 1/2" hardware cloth would be perfect.