No built in ventilation on roof

[3KillerBs]

This is stressful! My poor girls! I am not handy at ALL so I will probably get them a new one. I will look on here for recommendations. Thank you all so much for your input!

Unfortunately, there are almost no readily-available coops to purchase that actually meet chickens real needs.

But the two easiest things for people with limited DIY skills are shed conversions and hoop coops.

Shed Conversions

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-mulligan.74743/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-scoop-on-a-rubbermaid-big-max-coop.76444/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/toy-shed-conversion.64879/

Hoop Coops

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

 

[McChooky]

That's going to be challenging because of the size and shape of the coop box. It's nearly impossible to get your roosts above your nests and your ventilation above the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost with less than ~4 feet of height to work with.

If you can take the floor out and convert it into a 1-level coop with ventilation cut at the top of the gables and roosts down below, then add a run you'll be in better shape.

Here's a thread on converting prefab coops that might inspire you: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

I realized my design had major flaws when I tried to add ventilation above my chickens heads .I had to make my coop twice the height it already was to correct it. And considering it was a raised coop it looked ridiculous when it was finished.It looks like an old timey outdoor toilet lol My chickens still use it. Its only big enough for my original flock(4) The rest of my flock roosts in the coop I originally built as a run lol Learning what chickens need takes a little time

 

[McChooky]

Making a small coop taller (to improve ventilation)

can make a coop that resembles a Porta John!

Ventilation problems in a small coop aren't easily fixed!

Example of height increased to add ventilation up top:

 

[PimsGarden]

Making a small coop taller (to improve ventilation)

can make a coop that resembles a Porta John!

Ventilation problems in a small coop aren't easily fixed!

Example of height increased to add ventilation up top:

I feel like mine is JUST tall enough and the vent is just far away enough that I lucked out when creating my design. It's really hard to get all the correct information and then apply it to a coop without spending tons of money. These backyard chicken keepers don't have it easy, it's pretty hard to figure out all of the correct information that applies to your specific climate and conditions. I really sympathize with people starting out, esp when it comes to getting/making the right coop.

 

[PimsGarden]

This is stressful! My poor girls! I am not handy at ALL so I will probably get them a new one. I will look on here for recommendations. Thank you all so much for your input!

I'm not handy either and I built my own, the more research I did.. the more I realized I could do it better and would have piece of mind. I don't think you will save much if any buying a prefab esp after upgrades you will prob have to make to them. I'd at least consider attempting a build, just take your time. I found a build I liked on this forum somewhere and just edited it to meet my demands and skill level. If you make a post about it with your plans, people can help as you build and you can comment with updates when you need feedback or help!