New coop is just about done!

[MissLissa1981]

Our coop is just about complete for our 4 chickens who still have a few weeks to go before they can move in. I am so pleased with how it came out!! Waiting for wood to be ready to paint. The run is 5x8 but we plan to allow them to free range when we are around. We have locks with carabeaners on all entrance points and have a 2 ft apron with hardware cloth surrounding. We just need to add a ramp from the run and some things in the run they might like to climb on etc. Any suggestions?
Also, are curtains of some kind over the nesting boxes a good thing to have? I read that they will discourage the hens from sleeping and pooping in them.
We live in Maine so the climate can be tricky here. Our windows currently just have hardware cloth over them but does anyone put plexiglass over them in winter?
Any advice or insight is appreciated.

 

[Tonyroo]

Our coop is just about complete for our 4 chickens who still have a few weeks to go before they can move in. I am so pleased with how it came out!! Waiting for wood to be ready to paint. The run is 5x8 but we plan to allow them to free range when we are around. We have locks with carabeaners on all entrance points and have a 2 ft apron with hardware cloth surrounding. We just need to add a ramp from the run and some things in the run they might like to climb on etc. Any suggestions?
Also, are curtains of some kind over the nesting boxes a good thing to have? I read that they will discourage the hens from sleeping and pooping in them.
We live in Maine so the climate can be tricky here. Our windows currently just have hardware cloth over them but does anyone put plexiglass over them in winter?
Any advice or insight is appreciated.

Cool design on the coop. Your run is too short in height for a perch.
Did you install your nesting box so you don't have to do it later?
I don't think you should close off your windows, you need ventilation at all times for the coop. Plexiglass would seal it up.
Have you considered making a small awning for your windows?

 

[MissLissa1981]

We do have a nesting box on the back side of the coop. You just can’t see it in the pics!

 

[Naughty_Roo]

Looks real nice perfect size I will have only 3 chickens just a couple more weeks deciding if i should build one a good size like this or go pre fab ugh

 

[MissLissa1981]

Thanks!! I was taking that something we built would be more sturdy than the pre fab coops and then we could customize it to suit our needs best. It did take steady work on it for about a week to get it done though so I for sure see the allure of a pre- made coop!

 

[Friday_Matinee]

Our coop is just about complete for our 4 chickens who still have a few weeks to go before they can move in. I am so pleased with how it came out!! Waiting for wood to be ready to paint. The run is 5x8 but we plan to allow them to free range when we are around. We have locks with carabeaners on all entrance points and have a 2 ft apron with hardware cloth surrounding. We just need to add a ramp from the run and some things in the run they might like to climb on etc. Any suggestions?
Also, are curtains of some kind over the nesting boxes a good thing to have? I read that they will discourage the hens from sleeping and pooping in them.
We live in Maine so the climate can be tricky here. Our windows currently just have hardware cloth over them but does anyone put plexiglass over them in winter?
Any advice or insight is appreciated.

I'm down in PA and I swapped the hardware cloth window screen for plexiglass for the winter. I'll be taking it back off and putting the screen back in once it's warm enough. Being in Maine I would definitely do that, it doesn't even get THAT cold down here. But to keep the snow and ice out I put the plexiglass up.

EDIT: Just looked at the pics finally, No need to cover that window, it looks like it's your only ventilation point. The whole top foot of my coop structure is hardware cloth for ventilation.

No curtains on my nesting boxes, just make sure they are closer to the ground/bottom of coop. The birds want to roost up so just make sure the roost bars are a bit above the boxes and you should be fine.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Great coop! I do not use nesting box curtains, but for a while our chickens were sleeping in the boxes so we had doors that could close installed over them. I just closed them at night. I personally would not cover the windows with plexiglass, but that's just my preference. I believe they need to have 24/7 ventilation. Although where I live there is not as much extreme temperatures... Also, it might just be me, but is the window on the back all the ventilation? I might consider adding a bit more ventilation. Perhaps over the nesting box? I love the design so much! It's so cute! I bet your chickens will love it.