Newbie, coop opinions?

[TLemon68]

Hello

Newbie here! Our chicks will ship today and we have been trying to figure out a future coop for them. After looking at lots of options we came across s ready made coop for $1200. 7ft wide, 15ft long, 8ft tall. 7x5 ft housing. 10ft run. Comes with up to 24 laying boxes, perch rods, vented, siding or plywood walls, shingles or metal roof. Treated foundation. Advice, opinions? TIA!

 

[EggyErin]

How many chicks? That will determine whether or not the coop is big enough.

 

[TLemon68]

Starting with 6 chicks, thinking this will hold maybe 8 max? Don't plan to free range as its not really an option for us unfortunately. Thinking may have to expand the run eventually.

 

[EggyErin]

I think that sounds okay for six. I would consider expanding the run but I like the idea of having it big enough that they can actually run around. Can you remove all the extra nest boxes for more space? You'll only need three.

 

[TLemon68]

That’s what I was possibly thinking too. Pics below he sent me of inside

Any other recommendations to this layout? Any way I can improve it to make life easier? Probably a shelf under perch rods for easy cleaning?

 

[Dayrel]

Nice looking structure overall. That upper roost looks useless. You want staggered roost bars, but that upper one appears to be too close to the wall.

 

[TLemon68]

Ok, I can have him stagger the roost bars and modify as I instruct him. I have also read maybe to leave them unattached for easy cleaning? Thanks for the tip!

 

[TLemon68]

I may just have him completely leave out the nesting boxes or put a shelf for some I can easily add and remove for cleaning? Like milk crates?

 

[Dayrel]

Unattached would be good. The square bars in the wall notches should hold firmly.

If you move the lower bar right up next to the door, that should give you more space to move the upper bar away from the wall.

One alternative you might want to consider: Have a single level of nest boxes on the left (3-4 is plenty), and roost bars on both sides with poop trays below them for easier cleaning (one bar over the nests, but they are covered). That will leave more open floor space for them to move around in bad weather, plenty of roosting space, relatively easy cleaning and sufficient nests for everyone.

 

[TLemon68]

Sounds good! Should the nest boxes be on the floor or elevated? How many bars would be good? 2 on each side?