New coop project

[Dmontgomery]

May 11, got the door hung. It sits flush with the framing so a predator shouldn't be able to slip a paw in to pry it open.

I used a 2x4 as a door jam, so a large dog wouldn't be able to jump on it to force it inward.

It's finally finished enough that the chicks could move in now, if they had to.

I'm going to suggest she put a carabiner or something on the gate latch.

 

[Dmontgomery]

May 15, I started my first ever attempt at exterior nesting boxes. This one is 53" long overall, including the siding. 12" deep x 12" high in the back. 15* slope for the lid. About 16" tall at the entrance.

She wanted to access the nesting boxes by lifting the top rather than opening the front.

So I had to try a couple different things to protect against leaks at the hinges.

 

[Dmontgomery]

May 17, I ended up getting a tire inner tube and screwing it down between the top boards and trim pieces, then added the hinges. The tube isn't very pliable so it makes the lid seem heavier than it is.

I'm going to suggest possibly removing the inner tube and building a small awning over the nesting boxes instead.

But here is the "finished" outside of the coop/run.

Initially there wasn't going to be an awning over the coop windows. I was told the tree pretty much protected that area from rain. However, after the 7" downpour last week, I found wet ground in the coop. I'm going to suggest we add some roofing, at least on the north windows, where the roosting area is.

 

[aart]

The term brickshithouse comes to mind

 

[Dmontgomery]

Today marks the one month anniversary of starting this new coop. The family seems very pleased with the results and appreciative that it's finished. Her chicks still aren't quite ready to go in but should be soon. Apparently this had been on their to do list for a couple years.
Found out that the water inside the coop after the heavy rains last week was actually running down the tree trunk onto the ground. We got another big rain this week. "M" went out in the storm to check the windows for me and saw it wasn't coming in them. So we probably won't need to add any roofing over any of the windows. "M" wants to keep the inner tube on the hinged part of the nesting boxes for water resistance, so no awning there either. She plans to rig up her own pulley system to keep the lid opened so she can collect eggs.
I went over yesterday to wire up the area where the tree goes through the ceiling inside the coop. She was concerned a snake would scale the walls of the coop and get in through the top. The gap was maybe 2", so there wasn't much to that.
Unless I go over and take a picture once the chicks are inside, this will be the last update on this project. Now to move on to something else.....

 

[aart]

Not sure why I didn't notice tree going thru middle of coop and roof before, haha!!
Deliberate leak in a coop just makes me shake my head.

You've done an outstanding job expanding this structure, hats off to you<bow>.

 

[kathlynr8]

So even if I free range the 4 chickens with an enclosed outdoor pen with mesh wire over top, I still want a large indoor coop as well?? (say 4x8) My neighbor has a small coop with enclosed run and her 3 chickens seem super happy and are mostly in her yard all day. I just want to make sure as making a smaller coop is more something that my building skills and budget can handle, where as these very large shed coops that you all are recommending are a little bit more than I may want to prioritize at the moment..

 

[kathlynr8]

And she even had a larger coop and downsized to a smaller one.. I believe so that she could move it around the yard more easily.

 

[aart]

So even if I free range the 4 chickens with an enclosed outdoor pen with mesh wire over top, I still want a large indoor coop as well?? (say 4x8) My neighbor has a small coop with enclosed run and her 3 chickens seem super happy and are mostly in her yard all day. I just want to make sure as making a smaller coop is more something that my building skills and budget can handle, where as these very large shed coops that you all are recommending are a little bit more than I may want to prioritize at the moment..

And she even had a larger coop and downsized to a smaller one.. I believe so that she could move it around the yard more easily.

It depends....on your goals, your site, your location/climate, your resources...etc...
I live in a harsh winter climate, having a large shed that contains my coop has many advantages.

 

[kathlynr8]

Thanks! - Great article. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/