New coop... input? criticizm?

[bradrenea]

I just finished my coop/run. I am new to chickens so I would like some input.
It is 4x8, not counting the enclosed area, which is 2x4. The north and west walls are solid, as that is where the cold wind usually blows from here, the south and east are chicken wire to allow sun and ventilation. The roof of the enclosed area is hinged to allow access to the eggs, and I used clear skylight material to cover it so I can check for snakes and such before opening it. There are two nest boxes in there.
I have five Barred Rock hens that will be free ranged during the day. I am wondering if I need a door on the enclosed area to shut them up in there at night, or should I let them roam between both areas as they choose? Is the ramp necessary, or could I get by with moving the roosting ladder a little closer to the door for them to use? It seems like the ramp takes up a lot of space, which is limited already.
Any input is appreciated.

 

[Chicabee19]

Wow! Now that's a nice coop!

no criticism from moi

I am also planning on using clear covering on part of my coop.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

DUDE! THAT IS AWESOME!!!! Right up my alley for sure!! You could make some serious money building those and retailing them... Or at least the plans!

 

[Justino]

NICE!!!


the only thing id say is that can anything did under neath it to get ur birds?

 

[Cabe]

I think you have a haunted chicken coop... or maybe I watch to much Ghost Hunters.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

Quote:
LOL LOL LOL...... its funny cause I get it! LOL (all the glares being spirits...)

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Is that the strong kind of chicken wire? Predators can often rip apart the weak kind. I'm just a little worried because you won't have anything but the wire between something like a fox and your roosting birds.

Otherwise, the design is really great! I love the metal roofing.

 

[bradrenea]

Quote:
I have not got that far yet.... I am planning on staking down some heavy landscaping timbers around the border. As it is now, they would have to dig fairly deep, as there is a 2x4 frame all the way around it. They would have to dig out enough to get under that.

 

[bradrenea]

Quote:
I don't know the difference between the two, but it does not look very thick. I do have a 150 lb St Bernard though.... he does a pretty good job keeping the critters away.


Thanks for all the compliments. I just went out to check on the birds and they are already lined up on the roost, and I just finished it two hours ago!

 

[bradrenea]

Quote:
That's the result of my wife dropping our brand new digital camera lens first onto a pile of rocks. Now all of our pictures have "spirits".