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

[aart]

The thing to remember about water vapor is that it will rise to the top of the coop because it is lighter than air. Provide a way for it to escape and it will.

Yep, ridge vent might be best for this coop configuration.
Gable vents could be damped down if necessary in winter.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Yep, ridge vent might be best for this coop configuration.
Gable vents could be damped down if necessary in winter.

Ridge vents are great, but it doesn't look like he has much to work with.

 

[MROO]

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

Definitely agreed - on both points! If you mount your boxes on the outside, you not only open up the inside space, but give yourself the luxury of adding an access door, so you don't even have to go inside to collect eggs. You probably don't need as many as you have now, either. Hens tend to share a favorite box or two. With 23, I'd guess four (or six, if you want to double stack them and keep the extra boxes) nest boxes would be plenty. Three of my ladies will actually wait in line for the "best" nesting spot, leaving the others empty. Too funny!

If you want to expand your space without adding a lot of footprint, try going off to one side (or end) with a small, people-height run addition - like a big, hardware cloth closet. That allows for a "people door" (and access to the lower run) and a nice, tall perch set-up (think cat-tree, but chicken-style!)

As for predator proofing, you don't need to dig up the whole outer edge for an apron. I dug down about 8-10 inches all the way around the base of my playhouse-coop conversion. One side at a time, as I could afford it, I filled each trench with dry concrete mix and hosed-and-hoed it until it was properly mixed. I liberally salted the mix with yard rocks to stretch the concrete, gave it a week to cure before dumping some gravel on top of it. So far, it's held off my 50 pound "digger dog" and the neighbors cat. Next Spring, I'd like to plant marigolds in front of it all, so my biddies can have a snack to graze on through the wire.

Oh - and I have one run wall that is still chicken wire. The next project is to tack hardware cloth over the inside of the support posts and fill the 3 inch space between the wire walls with fall leaves to form an instant, refillable windbreak/shade/composting treat. We'll see how it works!

And just so you know, officially, EVERY chicken coop is a "work-in-progress." With all of the great ideas people here on BYC are always coming up with, no coop or run is ever "finished!"

 

[EggWalrus]

Not seeing link?

Sorry about that.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Builder...re-Gable-Vent-in-White-120051212123/100669542

 

[EggWalrus]

Sorry about that.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Builder...re-Gable-Vent-in-White-120051212123/100669542

If you can afford ( or make your own like carpenters used to ) larger than the 12"x12" it would be better. This was just to show a cheap louvered gamble vent to give you ideas.

 

[MROO]

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

@Compost King is right about the height. Make sure your nesting boxes are lower than your roosts, or you'll have VERY messy nest boxes and eggs laid on the floor! If the boxes are down low, then the hens won't usually stay in them longer than it takes to lay (and maybe sing) ... then they'll move out and on.

 

[Buckeye2002]

Well, I have taken out the nesting boxes and am working on those to be placed on the outside of the coop. Finished the last of the doors. I have had one heat lamp going in there and it is been pretty steady at 60 degrees on the floor and it is 19 degrees outside right now.
I was planning to put my chicks in there once they get to 3 weeks (a week from today) with a second heat lamp. Thoughts?

 

[Aunt Angus]

I think that would be fine. Just be careful with the lamps. Fire = no bueno.

I put mine out at 2 - just put the entire brooder set up in the coop. I used a MHP, but I JUST (like, seconds ago thanks to @EggWalrus ) read about a wool hen on another thread. No electricity needed! I would be tempted to use one of those were I to do it again. Granted, when I put them in the coop the coldest it got was the 60's.

But now I gotta stop reading about chickens and finish grading these essays. Chickens are more fun, though, and they are better behaved than high schoolers.

 

[EggWalrus]

Well, I have taken out the nesting boxes and am working on those to be placed on the outside of the coop. Finished the last of the doors. I have had one heat lamp going in there and it is been pretty steady at 60 degrees on the floor and it is 19 degrees outside right now.
I was planning to put my chicks in there once they get to 3 weeks (a week from today) with a second heat lamp. Thoughts?

What the heck! Go ahead and put them out there tomorrow. You'll probably find them running around all excited doing chicken things, scratching, pooping, and pecking, just doing chicken things. But keep an eye on them. If they go to huddling under the heat lamp instead of out doing chicken training they may be cold and you'll need to wait to leave them out there .

 

[Aunt Angus]

Forgot to say - Good for you for getting it done so quickly!