OK, Can't rebuild, what are my options (Realistic Please)

[andreanar]

I like the coop! Good job. Can you remove one of the 13 foot walls, build out wider, then reattach the 13 foot wall? That would help your space issue.

 

[Compost King]

I wouldn't remove a wall because thats too much work, I would build an addition for feeders and nesting boxes What he has there is perfect for a roosting house especially if the chickens are only in there at night. The nesting boxes are over kill and too high, chickens will sleep in the higher ones.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Something else to think about as you make mods is that without gutters snow and rain will impact the spaces below the eaves.

 

[aart]

Replied with my suggestions here:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/am-i-on-track.1281799/page-3#post-20687918

 

[Buckeye2002]

I want to see if I understand...I think I do on one point. I should take the nesting boxes out of the coop and basically attach them to the exterior of the back wall and put a hinge door on the back for access to the eggs? What about cold weather? Will they get too cold if they are in the boxes?

Thanks

 

[Aunt Angus]

I'm pretty sure that's why others suggested that the boxes be sealed up thoroughly. They won't be any colder in there than they will in the coop. Plus, you will need substrate for the nests.

 

[Buckeye2002]

The Original Poster (OP) started this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/am-i-on-track.1281799/ which lead to realizing they may need to make "adjustments" ... good on them for asking questions, and seeking advise/help!

And by the way @Buckeye2002 ... WELCOME to BYC!

Another suggestion ... put a gate/door on the bottom run, under the big one on the end, and put your feeder & waterer's under there ...

In the other thread you mentioned about cleaning with a presure washer ... I'd not do that on a weekly basis, maybe once a year, gonna be messy, and very wet inside, and your coop will probably rot, or at the least get mildew/mold ...

If you made all your roosts the same height, and had a door on the back down in that area ... it will make cleaning that area MUCH easier ... chickens poop ALOT at night when they are roosting, so there will be alot of poop right there ... also much easier to "catch" a chicken off the roost at night for an "inspection" or to administer treatment ...

Here are a few helpful, informative threads on chickens basic needs ...
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts.1048597/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

Ok, if I put my nesting boxes on the exterior of my coop, get rid of my lower run (since I am going to free range them nearly all the time) and use the the floor "door" as my clean out hole (with my wagon under to catch the straw for my composting), how am I looking at that point?

 

[EggWalrus]

I want to see if I understand...I think I do on one point. I should take the nesting boxes out of the coop and basically attach them to the exterior of the back wall and put a hinge door on the back for access to the eggs? What about cold weather? Will they get too cold if they are in the boxes?

Thanks

Don't worry about the cold weather for the hens. They won't spend much time in the nest boxes, just enough time to lay an egg. They should NOT be sealed up tight either. They need ventilation like the rest of the coop, in winter to remove the hot humid breath, and especially in summer when it can get like an oven in a hest with a 100° hen in it. Make sure to put down plenty of hay/straw in the nest boxes.
If you can remove the boxes and just hang them on the outside wall that would be the best. You could then just unhook them, and put them on ground to clean/wash them a couple time per year. Give me a few and I'll upload a diagram of what I mean.

 

[123RedBeard]

Better ... but still gonna be a tight squeeze inside for 23 LF RIR'S ...

Don't forget about vents up high.

 

[EggWalrus]

Ok, if I put my nesting boxes on the exterior of my coop, get rid of my lower run (since I am going to free range them nearly all the time) and use the the floor "door" as my clean out hole (with my wagon under to catch the straw for my composting), how am I looking at that point?

Good idea with the trap door.