New coop

[punkin]

Ok, so this is my new coop. It's almost 90% finished

It is built on to an existing shed where I keep all my pots for my greenhouse. The floor space inside is 4x6. We still have to do the roost, flooring, lighting, feeder and run.

This little door at the bottom swings up to rake out all the poop.

This is the ramp door.

This is the back. The door swings open to reveal the back of the nest boxes. There is also a small storage area.

This is the back of the nest boxes. The whole thing is removable for easier cleaning. I did not realize that more than one chicken will use the same nest box. Oh well, I guess they have their choice.

This is the front of the boxes from the inside.
We plan to run a PVC pipe from the inside of the shed to fill the feeder.
I really want 4-6 hens who are established layers. Finding someone who will sell one is harder than I thought. Let me know what ya'll think.
I hope I posted everything right. This is my first attempt at uploads.

 

[yellowdragon]

Wow. very nice.

 

[Firefyter-Emt]

That is a very nice looking coop, great job matching it in with your shed. You know, with that shed roof there, I would be thinking about gutters and a rain barrel to grab rain water.

 

[bills]

Very nice set up! Everything looks very well built and designed.

I like how you mounted the window so it can be opened from the outside. Does it have a screen so you can leave it open for ventilation? If it has a regular window screen you might want to put some hardware cloth on the inside, so predators can't get through it. Either that, or add some screened ventilation doors that you can open and close. Usually you'd put them near the roofliine.

You have enough nest boxes for about 25 chickens or more. Chances are good they will only use one.

Funny birds...

Are you putting a roost in for them?

 

[DawnSuiter]

Hi punkin, I'm in E. Tennessee too! I don't have any layers yet, my chicks are only a few weeks old but your coop looks great! a lovely addition to your shed and your family I'm sure! Your removable nests are a great idea, and I too was considering the round opening, it seems common here.. how large a circle is that?

I saw in your signature that you've rescued dogs.. that warms my heart.. rescued another yesterday myself to bring our count to 4.

 

[wynedot55]

now thats a nice looking lil coop.

 

[bills]

Quote:
I think the round openings are for her to reach through to gather eggs, and cleaning, not for chicken access. Or did I get your question wrong??

 

[DawnSuiter]

well perhaps they are to reach through!

Several old time farmers round here though use a round opening like that for the chickens to go into the boxes, and then they collect eggs from the back with a flap.. I get the sense they like it alot because it gives them more privacy, and they climb right through it..

I may have assumed wrong, perhaps they are for her egg retreival efforts??...

 

[CityChook]

That's a lovely coop. Attractive and well built. You will have happy chickens. I don't know how the rain is in TN, but I'm going to echo Firefyter-EMT. You may want to think about water management with that shed draining water right on to your coop and it's surrounding area. A rain barrel is good (I have one myself and LOVE it), but do your research. Since the roofing is new there COULD be some toxicity issues with water coming off of it. I wouldn't water my chickens from rainbarrel water until that roof is a little more broken in. Flowers, on the other hand, would be fine. Just my $.02. Congrats on a job well done!

 

[punkin]

The circle is actually a template from a folgers plastic coffee can. It is for reaching in the back to gather eggs when the door is open. The window will have a screen, just haven't gotten to it yet. The roosts are on the way too. I'm thinking about doing a ladder roost right off the bat in case I want to add more chickens. Wow, the rain run-off is something we didn't consider. Thanks for all the input.

Oh yeah, there are going to be 2 vents, 1 in each eave.