Need opinions about our newly built chicken coop that is attached to / part of garage

[aart]

Do the vents go to the outside or into the garage?

They can peck at house siding, have read more than several stories, so it's possible but not probable.

Dust and odor might be problem, dependent on many other factors.

 

[DeedeesInn]

My hens do peck at a painted wooden beam that is in their chicken yard. First one hen started it, then the others followed. Chickens are very much "monkey see, monkey do".

 

[mbishop22]

Thanks everyone! Below are some responses and follow up questions based on your replies:

- the vents go to the outside, not to the garage
- the coop room is completely walled off from the garage (though there is a human door that provides access from the garage to the coop), so dust/smell shouldn't be a problem right? also note that door has a glass panel in the center (see photo in original post), so would we need to do something about that to prevent the garage lights from disturbing the chickens when it's dark out (would only happen in winter here in Seattle)?
- there is a pop door and a human door that go to the outside from the coop. when we add the run fencing, do you think we should include the exterior human door inside the run or outside of it (and why)?
- the coop room is at the opposite end of a 3-car garage from the door that goes into the house, so they are a ways away (which should help diminish the noise)
- what do you think about making it so that we can reach into the nesting boxes from the garage so that we don't have to walk in to the coop to get eggs every day? would that allow dust/smell to reach the garage?

 

[DeedeesInn]

I would make it so you walk into the coop room to get the eggs. It gives you a reason to check on everything (food, water, does everyone look happy and healthy and clean) daily, give them some kitchen scraps and some attention! As long as you don't need to walk under any roosts, it shouldn't get too dirty.

 

[aart]

Thanks everyone! Below are some responses and follow up questions based on your replies:

- the vents go to the outside, not to the garage
- the coop room is completely walled off from the garage (though there is a human door that provides access from the garage to the coop), so dust/smell shouldn't be a problem right? also note that door has a glass panel in the center (see photo in original post), so would we need to do something about that to prevent the garage lights from disturbing the chickens when it's dark out (would only happen in winter here in Seattle)?
- there is a pop door and a human door that go to the outside from the coop. when we add the run fencing, do you think we should include the exterior human door inside the run or outside of it (and why)?
- the coop room is at the opposite end of a 3-car garage from the door that goes into the house, so they are a ways away (which should help diminish the noise)
- what do you think about making it so that we can reach into the nesting boxes from the garage so that we don't have to walk in to the coop to get eggs every day? would that allow dust/smell to reach the garage?

-good!
-should keep dust out of garage, might want curtain/blind on window if garage light is on a lot at night.
- you might want to access run without going thru coop.
-should keep noise from house
- I like being able to gather eggs without going into coop, you could put nest under that window for visual access to coop.

 

[lynnehd]

Thanks everyone! Below are some responses and follow up questions based on your replies:

- the vents go to the outside, not to the garage
- the coop room is completely walled off from the garage (though there is a human door that provides access from the garage to the coop), so dust/smell shouldn't be a problem right? also note that door has a glass panel in the center (see photo in original post), so would we need to do something about that to prevent the garage lights from disturbing the chickens when it's dark out (would only happen in winter here in Seattle)?
- there is a pop door and a human door that go to the outside from the coop. when we add the run fencing, do you think we should include the exterior human door inside the run or outside of it (and why)?
- the coop room is at the opposite end of a 3-car garage from the door that goes into the house, so they are a ways away (which should help diminish the noise)
- what do you think about making it so that we can reach into the nesting boxes from the garage so that we don't have to walk in to the coop to get eggs every day? would that allow dust/smell to reach the garage?

Agree about human door outside into run, too. You may want to wheelbarrow stuff in and out of it w/o going through the garage. Wheelbarrow work (bringing in leaves or wood chips to run, etc.), can get so muddy certain times of the year.
You could even cover the glass door in garage to coop with black construction paper in the winter.
Love the idea of collecting eggs from the garage through an egg door.

 

[User395221]

so dust/smell shouldn't be a problem right?

It isn't just dust and smell you are going to get in your garage, it's litter (whatever you use for the flooring) and poo.

How do you intend cleaning the coop? From the run side, or from the garage? Where is your compost heap?

Have you considered cross-ventilation?

 

[aart]

Quote: Coop seems to be pretty sealed off from garage but good point on dragging bedding.......
......a high threshold(~6") at people door should help that, but some might track out into garage.

 

[User395221]

Another thought.... Does the garage have a separate roof from the rest of the house? If not, there aren't any ceiling vents are there? You wouldn't want poultry dust in the roof cavity

Quote: but would be annoying if that's the direction from which cleaning is intended to be done. Nice flat entrance to sweep through for cleaning... I don't have a "lip" on the back of my nest boxes and the litter "oozes" out the back a bit. I've considered something to keep it in better, but I'd rather not create any nooks and crannies for poo or bugs, or stray bits of litter.

OP, what you might consider is building a bigger run AND a hen-house outside and using your garage coop for storage of feed and equipment and for use when it's really cold in winter or for somebody who isn't feeling well. Make it a "winter holiday residence" rather than a whole year round residence.

 

[1muttsfan]

I still think your plan is fine. Chickens will peck sometimes in an unexpected way, but I have never had any that have gone after house siding.
I would think that any openings between the coop and the garage are going to allowed dust to filter in. Chickens make lots and lots of dust.
Personally I prefer to enter the coop through a separate door and not through the run, as you are more likely to track through dirt and chicken poop on your way in and out, and you may also have chickens who might try to escape each time the run door is opened.
You definitely will need some access into the run, and it's nice to have an outside door.