New Coop Blueprint

[Sally PB]

Summers here get only about upper 90s

That is VERY hot when you're wearing a down jacket you can't take off...

When we added on to our coop this last spring, I saved EVERY scrap of wood, unless it was smaller than my hand. Need to enclose an area for a brooder? Got the wood for that. Need to repair a nest box? Sure. Want to make something to put an additional feed bowl on, off the ground? Yup.

You'd be surprised what you can do with the odd 2' long 2x4 and 2x2' piece of OSB.

 

[3KillerBs]

That is VERY hot when you're wearing a down jacket you can't take off...

When we added on to our coop this last spring, I saved EVERY scrap of wood, unless it was smaller than my hand. Need to enclose an area for a brooder? Got the wood for that. Need to repair a nest box? Sure. Want to make something to put an additional feed bowl on, off the ground? Yup.

You'd be surprised what you can do with the odd 2' long 2x4 and 2x2' piece of OSB.

Likewise.

Those random, 6" scraps of quarter-round are now the cleats on a new ramp.

 

[sheken]

This was an enlightening post! Boy have I got work to do and lots to learn. Gotta add more venting to our 8'x12' storage shed turned into chicken coop. I fear the lack of air flow is giving us problems with respiratory infections/fowl pox that the chickens keep getting. We're in Central TX..i.e stupid hot and somewhat stupid humid at times.

Have any of you tried using 2" or 1.5" PVC as roosting bars? Thoughts?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have any of you tried using 2" or 1.5" PVC as roosting bars? Thoughts?

I wouldn't recommend it. PVC test results towards the very bottom here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-perch-experiment.74272/

 

[3KillerBs]

Gotta add more venting to our 8'x12' storage shed turned into chicken coop. I fear the lack of air flow is giving us problems with respiratory infections/fowl pox that the chickens keep getting. We're in Central TX..i.e stupid hot and somewhat stupid humid at times.

Welcom to BYC. In your climate you can probably replace an entire wall with wire as well as adding big vents at the tops of all the walls.

I suggest that you start a build thread and post pictures of your coop so we can advise you how best to modify it.

 

[lifein1840]

Hey y’all, we want to build a new coop. I have come up with a blueprint. I need opinions on how to make it better. Anything that can be pointed out or changed is fine! Thank you!

I have a poop tray filled with sweet PDZ so I just scoop it each morning and it's clean! The nest boxes are mounted under the poop tray so they can't poop on top of the nest boxes. This arrangement also frees up more space in the coop! Good luck with your new coop!!

 

[CKfarm22]

I have a poop tray filled with sweet PDZ so I just scoop it each morning and it's clean! The nest boxes are mounted under the poop tray so they can't poop on top of the nest boxes. This arrangement also frees up more space in the coop! Good luck with your new coop!!

How big is your poop tray and how far is the roost from it?

 

[sheken]

I wouldn't recommend it. PVC test results towards the very bottom here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-perch-experiment.74272/

Thank you for the read and the recommendation I read it a bit too late and went ahead and set up only one of the roosts (out of 3 or 4 I think) to be PVC. However, I ended up going with a 2" size, primarily because I had it lying around. I also initially tried a 1.5" 8' piece of PVC that I also had lying around but it felt a bit more wobbly and would vibrate too much. However, now, I think it would have worked had I anchored it and screwed it in like I did for the 2" 8 ft piece that I went with. The main reason I was trying to avoid wood was b/c cleaning the wood is near impossible! So the chickens poop all over the roosts and given that wood is porous, I fear that is contributing to the problem we're having with respiratory diseases. I suspect this, I really don't know. But I think cleaning the PVC will be much easier. Also, I went ahead and put some duct tape on the top of the PVC pipe surface to give the chickens better grip and also to allow easier cleaning. In theory, peel and throw away so we'll see as time will tell. Regarding the experiment referenced, I am of the opinion that a 1" PVC would be too thin and not as comfortable for the chickens but also, if not anchored down well enough or if the piece of PVC is too long, there will be too much vibration, and even possible sag, that the birds might not like it. Just a thought. Again, thank you @rosemarythyme!

 

[3KillerBs]

So the chickens poop all over the roosts and given that wood is porous, I fear that is contributing to the problem we're having with respiratory diseases.

That is peculiar.

Chickens do not normally poop on their perches but, rather, normally sit with their rear ends hanging down over the edge.

I do not think I've ever seen poop on my perch from an adult hen.

 

[RoyalChick]

That is peculiar.

Chickens do not normally poop on their perches but, rather, normally sit with their rear ends hanging down over the edge.

I do not think I've ever seen poop on my perch from an adult hen.

Same here. The only reliably clean place in the Chicken Palace is on the main roost where everyone sleeps.