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Newbie, coop opinions?
- Thread starter TLemon68
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The rule of thumb is 8-10" minimum roost/full-sized bird, but I prefer to give them more space. They might like to crowd together when settled in, but they still need space to be able to fly up/down and turn around. Given your coop size and 6-8 birds, one roost bar would be crowded, two bars should be plenty.
Elevated nest boxes are easier to work with, but if you think you might ever want to have them hatch chicks, then the chicks would be better served by floor nest boxes. The low boards in front of the lower nests are good to help reduce mess.
Elevated nest boxes are easier to work with, but if you think you might ever want to have them hatch chicks, then the chicks would be better served by floor nest boxes. The low boards in front of the lower nests are good to help reduce mess.
One other thing I just noticed. The run's wire fencing is likely insufficient. You probably should have 1/2" x 1/2" hardware cloth at minimum around the lower 3' of the sides, if not full covered with hardware cloth.
Where are you located and what types of predators are in your area?
Where are you located and what types of predators are in your area?
- Thread starter
- #14
Yeah, a finer mesh is definitely recommended then. A raccoon can reach right in, grab and kill a chicken with that large mesh in the picture. The reason I say "at least 3ft" is that is a common width for hardware cloth and above that, the raccoons/etc can climb up but likely can't reach down to grab the chickens.
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How about just one roost bar per side? I can't imagine anybody using the lower roost and if you have two the same height everyone will be happy. And as Dayrel said, there will be more open floor space. I don't know anything about poop trays but I add their poop to my compost pile. If you wanted to use different nest boxes you could always raise them above the floor fray by putting them on a platform or blocks, then lower them when and if needed. I like having them raised some because by the time you get shavings on the floor they aren't so raised anymore. Some kind of lip board is good. How much ventilation is there? I see one square window. Is that all? If so, you'll need more. You might could have rectangular openings along the top of the walls which you then cover with hardware cloth. As Dayrel said, you'll need to beef up the security with an apron that runs up the outside a ways then out from the coop about two feet. You can leave it on top of the ground and let grass grow through it. You need that to keep anything from trying to dig under the run.
So this is something that is being built for you and you can customize it?
Too many nests taking up to much room.
Are eaves open for ventilation?
Can't think tonite or would have many ideas.
But here's some previously typed out food for design thought.
Here's my theory on the 'stack up' aspect to coop design:
Bottom of pop door is best about 8" above floor so bedding doesn't get dragged out of coop.
Nice to have bottom of nests about 18" above bedding to allow use of that floor space under them(doesn't count if your nests are mounted on outside of coop).
Roosts are best about 12" higher than nests so birds won't roost(sleep) in nests and poop in them, if you use poop boards under roosts it will also 'stretch' your floor space.
Upper venting works best as high as possible above roosts so no strong drafts hit roosts in winter...and hot/moist air and ammonia can rise and exit coop.
Too many nests taking up to much room.
Are eaves open for ventilation?
Can't think tonite or would have many ideas.
But here's some previously typed out food for design thought.
Here's my theory on the 'stack up' aspect to coop design:
Bottom of pop door is best about 8" above floor so bedding doesn't get dragged out of coop.
Nice to have bottom of nests about 18" above bedding to allow use of that floor space under them(doesn't count if your nests are mounted on outside of coop).
Roosts are best about 12" higher than nests so birds won't roost(sleep) in nests and poop in them, if you use poop boards under roosts it will also 'stretch' your floor space.
Upper venting works best as high as possible above roosts so no strong drafts hit roosts in winter...and hot/moist air and ammonia can rise and exit coop.
Price looking coop!
If you elevate the nesting boxes, they won't take up floor space that the girls can use. Always a good idea.
One roost should be plenty. Just make sure it is higher than the nesting boxes, because they like to sleep as high as possible.
If you elevate the nesting boxes, they won't take up floor space that the girls can use. Always a good idea.
One roost should be plenty. Just make sure it is higher than the nesting boxes, because they like to sleep as high as possible.
Congratulations on getting your first chickens!
I'm with aart. Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. Get some slats removed under the eaves along two sides of the coop at least, (all 4 sides would be better) and cover with 1/2" hardware cloth to keep out predators. Don't worry, your birds won't get cold. The slats being removed are too high up to cause a draft, but are perfect to have a circulation of fresh air. The last thing you want is some respiratory disease because of build up of moisture in the coop from the birds breath in winter. Extend your run if possible and cover with 1/2" hardware cloth. Have the hardware cloth extend down into the earth, spreading out at a 90º angle away from the walls of the run so when the critters dig to try to reach your birds they just come up against the cloth and can't dig any further. Good luck and have fun!
I'm with aart. Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation. Get some slats removed under the eaves along two sides of the coop at least, (all 4 sides would be better) and cover with 1/2" hardware cloth to keep out predators. Don't worry, your birds won't get cold. The slats being removed are too high up to cause a draft, but are perfect to have a circulation of fresh air. The last thing you want is some respiratory disease because of build up of moisture in the coop from the birds breath in winter. Extend your run if possible and cover with 1/2" hardware cloth. Have the hardware cloth extend down into the earth, spreading out at a 90º angle away from the walls of the run so when the critters dig to try to reach your birds they just come up against the cloth and can't dig any further. Good luck and have fun!
poop? I use the deep litter method in my coop. http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com.es/p/deep-litter-method.html
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