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

[Aunt Angus]

You obviously have some good carpentry skills, I can draw you some basic plans tomorrow, that you can adjust to your unique coop situation. Who knows? You might can use some of the ideas.

That is very thoughtful and generous!

 

[3riverschick]

I agree with EggWalrus. Just needs a bit of tweaking. A very nice build with a lot of thought behind it. Looks like you have some mad carpentry skills. Love the beams in the rafters and the way you bolted things together.
Karen

 

[ShannonR]

I like this coop, It's cool! So it isn't Fort Knox, but I think it would suffice for keeping the birds mostly safe. It's so easy to get overwhelmed trying to think of every conceivable scenario or predator when coop building and at times can really take the fun out of things.

I think that adding a lean-to style addition onto the bottom where their run is would give some extra space. I wish I could draw, to give you a better idea of what I am thinking. You know how some barns have waaayy big overhangs on them? You could use the idea to create more covered run space underneath is what I am trying so poorly to get at.

I think that with more run space you could keep more birds. The coop itself is big enough for all of them if it were for sleeping and laying purposes only.

 

[PouleChick]

Really good that you are seeing it as a work in progress and prepared to do what you need to do to fix / decrease bird numbers etc. I agree with the others, you so dont' need to rebuild - it is a great solid build. I'd definitely take on the advice of external nest boxes to clean the space inside, add ventilation. You have space for 10 birds max so if you could somehow move the back wall out another 3 feet you could get close to the space for all your birds.

 

[123RedBeard]

I agree that it is a quality build, and the builder is doing a good job.

Unfortunately as a newby to chickens didn't understand the needs of chickens, but ... has come to the right place seeking advise, and constructive criticism, and willing to make changes for their little fuzzy butts!

I like the idea of moving the nesting boxes outside, as long as it is sealed up tight.

If the bottom door was covered up, and the lower run was extended towards the side "pop" (chicken) door comes out about 10', still not enough room for all the LF RIR's ... but could work for 8 or so ...

While OP is planing on using their nice yard to free range, there are times that may not work, and they need to be locked up ... bad weather, or predators ...

I think this thread needs to be moved to the "coop/run" section ...

 

[Dona Worry]

A word about the trap door that leads underneath the coop-- don't let your birds go anywhere you can't fit to go after them. If you have a stupid on that goes down there and gets stuck, or an injured/sick one that goes down there to hide and can't get back up, it will be a royal pain for you to cut a hole in the fence and crawl down underneath there.

 

[Joyschickens]

Could the clean out door have hinges on the right/left side for easy access vs the top, then it would open like a door? This way you could have latches that would go on the opposite side of the hinges vs bottom where the wire is located, and you won't have to use any support to keep it open. It looks like a nice sized door, that will make clean out easier. Above that door is a good place for some added ventilation.
One tip on hardware cloth - we priced it out here and found Amazon to be the cheapest option.
Very nice build.

 

[123RedBeard]

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/

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

I'd move the nest boxes to the outside. Also large, louvered gable vents on each end.

 

[Compost King]

Nesting boxes must be lower than Roosting bars. All other issues you will figure out as it gets filled with chickens and problems come up. It looks secure and that's all you should worry about at first. I could nit pick a dozen things and none of them could be an actual problem with your flock, and there are probably a dozen problems in those pictures that I nor anyone else can see. The best way to do it is to fill her up with chickens and keep a close eye out for problems. you Craftsmanship was great which tells me you will do fine figuring out your problems and you will do a great job with solutions as you find them.