New Coop

[Wardogg]

Need some advice. I built the Purina Coop that was posted on here some time ago. Just finished it up yesterday. My lady had really no problem at all adjusting to it. Well except for roosting at night but it WAS just the first nite. Anyways she has never used a nest box before. The old coop was too small for one and she just wouldn't use anything i tried to set up outside the coop. Well this morning was her first morning in the coop. I didn't even have to put her in the nest box....she jumped right up there. Which I was a little concerned about. They seem awful high to me...but not only did she get in there she actually laid an egg first thing this morning in it. Im ecstatic. All that time and money wasnt just for a fancy looking house. It actually serves a useful purpose. Which brings me to my question. I have fresh straw in the nest boxes and when she jumped up there she began scratching around. Well after about 20 min of scratching she pushed all the straw onto the floor of the coop and then preceded to lay. Im thinking I can just put a small lip infront of the nest boxes to prevent some of the straw from falling but Im afraid its going to close the opening another 2 inches from an already fairly small one. I think its 12 inches right now. Anyways, has anyone built this coop or a similar design with similar results? Any advice? See pics below.

 

[RockwaterFarm]

i like it
is she free ranged or will you put a run on it later:yiipchick

 

[7L Farm]

Add a lip. You don't want scrambled eggs on the floor. Add more hay & a fake egg & your in business. Mine kicked the hay out at the beginning.

 

[Wardogg]

Quote:
Well shes free range in my backyard. LOL

 

[Cargo]

I agree with the lip. It will also allow you to keep some bedding in there.

Another thing you should do is change out the roost to the wide side of a 2x4. Your hen will be much happier.

 

[mgw]

Definatly put a lip on it they don't need that big of a hole to enter the nest box. Also you could cut a carpet scrap to fit in the bottom of the box incase she continues to rake out all the bedding. Good luck!
ETA nice coop looks very functional and easy to access.

 

[AllCoop'dUp]

Nice Job! Agree with adding a lip to the nest box and changing the roost to a 2X4 with 4" side for roosting. My only concern is how does she get locked in at night? I see the opening with the ramp going to the ground, but I don't see a secure door to keep predators out.

Forgot to add...if you only have the one hen...please get her some girlfriends...They need companionship.

 

[silkieroo]

That looks really nice!

Is she your only hen?

 

[Wardogg]

AllCoop'dUp :

Nice Job! Agree with adding a lip to the nest box and changing the roost to a 2X4 with 4" side for roosting. My only concern is how does she get locked in at night? I see the opening with the ramp going to the ground, but I don't see a secure door to keep predators out.

Forgot to add...if you only have the one hen...please get her some girlfriends...They need companionship.

Ive always read a 1 1/2 inch dowel was the way to go for roosting...interesting.


There is no door in front. I have two boxers that roam the back yard with her. Including at night. They will keep the predators at bay. Plus im in the suburbs...not too many yotes or coons running around.

Yes I only have the one hen. Originally i bought two but one died before they were out of the chick phase.....I thought of getting another....but technically Im not supposed to have them at all...HOA rules. She is fairly quite by herself and Im afraid if I got another one they would talk to each other and I wouldn't get to keep any. So she has to play with the dogs for now until we move in a couple of years.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I will get a lip installed before tomorrow.​

 

[bills]

The lip will help from the egg rolling out as well..