"New" used coop. Whats missing?

[Folly's place]

I just looked again and so; More ventilation than you've mentioned. BIG window openings, and large openings in the peaks.
Your birds will roost and poo on top of the next boxes unless you add a slanted top, like a 6/12 shed roof, so they can't sit on them.
Are you going to add siding over it? That would add cuteness and strength.
Is the roof okay? New added roofing?
I know how to spend $$$!
Mary

 

[IvanK]

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

Ok great! Those chicks will need to be in a brooder for quite some time. I will assume you've got that under control but you'll get tons of info here if you have any questions about them. Just a word of advice...as hard as it is not to, don't play with them too much. They'll be very stressed from their move and over handling them can lead to health problems.
As for your coop you've received loads of great advice/wisdom. While your chicks are brooding you have a lot of time to decide how to best modify your coop. Scan the internet for ideas and build it to best suite your needs (and skill set..carpentry etc.) and especially the girls' needs.
However you decide to go with the modifications, remember:
1) The nests need to be lower than the roost. I can't tell clearly where the roost is in the photos but if it is above the nest boxes then your eggs are at risk for getting quite dirty. @Latestarter explained this with some excellent advice and it is important.
2) On a similar point, the roost needs to be accessible but away from the nesting and feeding area. If not poo will contaminate everything. Plan your floor space accordingly.
3) You asked about if you should use bedding. I would. It will make cleaning the floor much easier and if you garden, it makes great mulch/compost.

Good luck & Enjoy!

 

[julie Cruz]

I just looked again and so; More ventilation than you've mentioned. BIG window openings, and large openings in the peaks.
Your birds will roost and poo on top of the next boxes unless you add a slanted top, like a 6/12 shed roof, so they can't sit on them.
Are you going to add siding over it? That would add cuteness and strength.
Is the roof okay? New added roofing?
I know how to spend $$$!
Mary

Hi! Thanks for your great reply! We are going to put a corrugating metal roof for water proofing and coolness. There is a big vent above the door at the peak but not one on the other side, we'll cut another hole there as you've suggested. This puppy was made using a 4x4 frame and screws so its super sturdy! i like the weathered look on the side with the planks so we'll just finish that off with polyurethane. the front and back are plywood so we'll paint that probably white. Someone suggested painting/sealing the floor so we did that plus i happen to have a horse stall mat from something else so i'll put that on the floor to make it easier to clean. What we have to do left is the roost - a ladder system and the yard. I'm thinking of just installing a dowel across the top of the roost kinda like a closet dowel thingy. with brackets screwed into the sides of the coop that the ends rest on and a support bracket in the center. so far we've only spent $$ on the girls, food, pine shavings - this coop has everything else! I have a friend who is disassembling her coop and giving me her auto waterer, ladder, and wire for the yard - We'll only have to buy a little more wire. Lots of work but it'll be worth it! Thank you again for your suggestions! This site is so helpful

 

[Hamiam]

Hi! Thanks for your great reply! We are going to put a corrugating metal roof for water proofing and coolness. There is a big vent above the door at the peak but not one on the other side, we'll cut another hole there as you've suggested. This puppy was made using a 4x4 frame and screws so its super sturdy! i like the weathered look on the side with the planks so we'll just finish that off with polyurethane. the front and back are plywood so we'll paint that probably white. Someone suggested painting/sealing the floor so we did that plus i happen to have a horse stall mat from something else so i'll put that on the floor to make it easier to clean. What we have to do left is the roost - a ladder system and the yard. I'm thinking of just installing a dowel across the top of the roost kinda like a closet dowel thingy. with brackets screwed into the sides of the coop that the ends rest on and a support bracket in the center. so far we've only spent $$ on the girls, food, pine shavings - this coop has everything else! I have a friend who is disassembling her coop and giving me her auto waterer, ladder, and wire for the yard - We'll only have to buy a little more wire. Lots of work but it'll be worth it! Thank you again for your suggestions! This site is so helpful

Sounds like your going to have a nice coop without a lot of expense. I don't use dowels. Chickens like to roost flat footed. I use the flat side of a 2x4 & paint it for easier cleaning. Make sure to post pics as you make the improvements. I love building coops!

 

[Folly's place]

I like saplings or tree limbs for roosts, as they would have used 'naturally'. Dowels are too smooth and small, IMO, and while 2x4's work fine, no wild bird has them in the trees! My roosts range from about 2" to 4" diameter, and birds roost where they want. It's based more on the pecking order and location, not roost size.
Mary

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

I used those landscape timbers with the rounded edges. Cut them in half lengthwise, notched the ends to fit on runners to be easily removed.

 

[AllenK RGV]

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

X2 Ventilation was my main concern as well, also if you plan on raising layers those nesting boxes look way to high to me as general consensus is that roosts should be higher than the nesting boxes. The higher you place your roosts the greater chance you will be dealing with bumblefoot if you keep Large Fowl vs Bantams.

Welcome to BYC! Enjoy your time here.

 

[AllenK RGV]

Hi! Thanks for your great reply! We are going to put a corrugating metal roof for water proofing and coolness. There is a big vent above the door at the peak but not one on the other side, we'll cut another hole there as you've suggested. This puppy was made using a 4x4 frame and screws so its super sturdy! i like the weathered look on the side with the planks so we'll just finish that off with polyurethane. the front and back are plywood so we'll paint that probably white. Someone suggested painting/sealing the floor so we did that plus i happen to have a horse stall mat from something else so i'll put that on the floor to make it easier to clean. What we have to do left is the roost - a ladder system and the yard. I'm thinking of just installing a dowel across the top of the roost kinda like a closet dowel thingy. with brackets screwed into the sides of the coop that the ends rest on and a support bracket in the center. so far we've only spent $$ on the girls, food, pine shavings - this coop has everything else! I have a friend who is disassembling her coop and giving me her auto waterer, ladder, and wire for the yard - We'll only have to buy a little more wire. Lots of work but it'll be worth it! Thank you again for your suggestions! This site is so helpful

I wouldn't use a dowell, 2x4" or landscaping timber so when you get that rare chill they can rest of their feet and be insulated from it.