"New" used coop. Whats missing?

[julie Cruz]

Hi all! We were given this chicken coop and i wanted to see if you had any suggestions for anything additional in it. Specifically I was wondering about the placement of the ladder for them to get up to the roost as well as to the nest boxes. Should I have a ladder on each side? will they be able to get up to the roost AND the nest boxes with one ladder?
Regarding the roost, it seems like i should install a perch that runs along the length of the roost - right now there is nothing so i thought maybe they took it out. Any suggestions on design? I got 6 baby girls today. I am thinking of making the yard 4x6 which is the same size as the coop. The girls are all biggies - will this be enough room for them?

We were given an automatic watering thing so I just need to make some clever - cheap - feeding device now.

Oh... one more thing. the floor is wood - should I throw a layer of pine shavings on it to keep it fairly clean?

 

[IvanK]

Hi! Nice looking coop!
To begin, and first things first...those are chicks correct? Do you intend to first use the coop as a brooder for them?

 

[janz70]

no hard and fast rules
they defo need perches/roost bars above the nest boxes if you can and a poop board
the ladder is fine as it is entry to coo
put stand off perch in front of nest boxes

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I don't see any windows or ventilation at all. Is it all open on the other sides?
It's the bare minimum in size for six standard birds, and the run should be much larger. maybe 8' x 10' or so.
I'm assuming that you don't have snow, so a solid roof won't be needed for the run, except maybe for shade.
If the wood floor is in good shape, seal it with deck paint or something, and then deep shavings work very well as bedding.
Cute chicks! What breeds? More pictures!
Mary

 

[nminusyplusm]

Welcome to BYC! You need a minimum of 10 sq ft in the run per bird so for 6 birds it should be no smaller than 60 sq ft like a 6' x 10' run.

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings and welcome to BYC! Nice score on the coop! Couple of suggestions if I may... Before you use that coop I strongly suggest that you completely sanitize it. You have no idea what may linger from the previous inhabitants; lice, mites, diseases, etc.
http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2014/04/07/cleaning-and-disinfecting-your-poultry-house/

The way it's set up right now, I would add a "lip" board in front of the nest boxes to prevent them knocking the eggs out on the floor.

I would add a perching bar/ maybe 2x4 on the flat in front of the nest boxes to give them a place to fly up and land on to enter the nest boxes.

The way it is now, they WILL roost on top of the nest boxes as that's the highest place they can reasonably get to. They will try to get to the highest point they can reach and comfortably stand on to roost. This is going to cause a poopy mess on top there as well as possibly in the nest boxes below. If you can place a roost bar higher than that (NB roof) on the opposing wall, they will use that instead. Of course there may be one or more that will still stay on top of the nest boxes... just the way chickens operate I'm afraid.

I would use a good water sealer on that floor and extend it up the walls at least 10-12". In my coop I used Black Jack rubber coat #57 roof sealant https://www.lowes.com/pd/BLACK-JACK-4-75-Gallon-Fibered-Waterproofer-Roof-Sealant/3043257 and it worked very well over multiple years. It was virtually no odor, water clean up, fast application & fast drying (<24 hours at 75°f). I also used it on the roosts, and inside the nest boxes. Edit to add, yes, I personally prefer wood chips on the floor.

I can't really see any high/low ventilation... Ventilation is very important, especially when very hot or very cold. More is always better. Just try to ensure no direct wind/breeze on the birds where they roost.

So browse around here and learn from the best! Lots of great folks, info, experiences here for the taking. If you have questions, post away. Normally someone will be along directly to help. Please put your location in your profile. It can be very important when asking for help/advice. Make yourself at home!

 

[featherhead007]

Hi all! We were given this chicken coop and i wanted to see if you had any suggestions for anything additional in it. Specifically I was wondering about the placement of the ladder for them to get up to the roost as well as to the nest boxes. Should I have a ladder on each side? will they be able to get up to the roost AND the nest boxes with one ladder?
Regarding the roost, it seems like i should install a perch that runs along the length of the roost - right now there is nothing so i thought maybe they took it out. Any suggestions on design? I got 6 baby girls today. I am thinking of making the yard 4x6 which is the same size as the coop. The girls are all biggies - will this be enough room for them?

We were given an automatic watering thing so I just need to make some clever - cheap - feeding device now.

Oh... one more thing. the floor is wood - should I throw a layer of pine shavings on it to keep it fairly clean? View attachment 1241945 View attachment 1241946 View attachment 1241947

Just be very careful I've been nursing my hen for 2 days the purch was too high and she broke her hip. Only 300$ to a vet to reset her leg... Expensive chicken I think , but remember, she's my beautiful chicken worth saving

 

[Folly's place]

It's not really possible to actually 'sanitize' an old wooden structure. Clean it out, sure. Spray permethrin for possible mites or lice, good idea.
How long has it been vacant? What used to live in it, and what happened to them?
Worst case would be a Marek's disease infected flock within the last year or two, and getting that mess out would be about impossible.
My coop was old and previously occupied, but years past. It was uncleanable, being an old wooden structure, and it's been fine.
Good find! It gives you a great start, with some modifications.
Mary

 

[julie Cruz]

Thank you so much!!! you are all so helpful. I'm in Orange County California and i'll add that to my profile. Sun would be my biggest concern so we'll make sure there is plenty of shade. There are vent holes on the side and one above the 'man-door' that is the width of the coop. i might add a crescent shaped one on the other side since it looks like an outhouse . I will definitely paint the floor with sealer. I was thinking of cutting a hole in the wall outside the nest boxes so i can collect the eggs from the outside. I dont know how long it's been since it's been lived in. It looks like quite a while. It's been cold here for my girls - they are inside the house with us and a heat lamp. they seem to be happy. I got a gold orpington (probably butchered the name) a Rhode Island, an Americana, a barred rock, a gold laced wyondot, and a black ashtrolorp. I'll post more pics today when I'm Playing with them

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

You’re coop is very nice. You need to add lots of ventilation and some windows. Make the run at least 6’x8’. If you can go for an 8’x10’ or larger. Good luck with your new chicks.
PS “Americana” is spelled like this- Ameraucana