Open coop and run design?

[Kelsbug7]

Hi there. I’m new to chickens. My chicks are 2.5 weeks old and I’m building their coop right now. I’m in southwest Florida where it’s HOT and STICKY. I’m wondering if my design of having an “open” concept coop is a bad idea. See my progress attached. I’m going to leave the coop only partially enclosed (on three sides), but not fully enclose it. I’ll put some shelves up higher with their nesting boxes with a ramp and roosts and everything, this is just my progress so far. I’m going to be buring 1/2” hardware cloth under the ground all the way around about a foot and a half out, as well as all the way around including the top. Is there a problem with having the coop not completely enclosed?

 

[Kelsbug7]

Forgot to attach:

 

[meetthebubus]

I keep my doors open on my coop they are 4 by 8 doors I live in the hot desert so the openness is great and they can come and go as soon as the sun allows them they love it, in fact my new Easter eggers roost on the roof of the coop they won't even go in at night but since the coop and run is completely enclosed its not a problem so far
I just have it 360 enclosed around it make sure they are safe the open coop is thoughtful as they will suffer at night if it's too stuffy just make sure there's also a lot of shade in the run so they can stay out of the suns rays during the day too

 

[springvalley123]

Hi Kelsug7, It looks like you're building a solid, predator proof coop/run combo. I'm near Phoenix, where it's hot and dry, so I agree the idea of building a 3-sided coop is great. If your birds seem to need a more secure feeling, you could add some shade cloth to make a partial fourth side, that would keep the ventilation you're designing into the coop/run. I think the main thing is to consider the coop/run as a whole to be their secure, predator-proof night accommodations. they'll go inside the pen, and then onto their roosts when it's night time.

 

[jthornton]

I’ll put some shelves up higher with their nesting boxes with a ramp and roosts and everything, this is just my progress so far.

The nest box should be below the roost by at least 12" and only one box is needed just make it big enough.

How many chicks do you have?

JT

 

[Acre4Me]

Looks good! The only 2 comments I have are:

1. Drafts/wind- just make sure this is oriented so that they can be out of the prevailing winds if that could be an issue or if you are somewhere that has cooler/colder FL winters.

2. The HWC you are using is great for the predators and burying it is a great thing to do. The wire gauge is likely thinner (than some of the larger opening type HWC), so it may become weak or disintegrate over time due to moisture, so keep your eyes on that.

 

[Kelsbug7]

The nest box should be below the roost by at least 12" and only one box is needed just make it big enough.

How many chicks do you have?

JT

I have 5 chicks however if any are roosters I will have to rehome them to a friend, so likely less than 5.

What is the reason for the height difference?

 

[Kelsbug7]

Looks good! The only 2 comments I have are:

1. Drafts/wind- just make sure this is oriented so that they can be out of the prevailing winds if that could be an issue or if you are somewhere that has cooler/colder FL winters.

2. The HWC you are using is great for the predators and burying it is a great thing to do. The wire gauge is likely thinner (than some of the larger opening type HWC), so it may become weak or disintegrate over time due to moisture, so keep your eyes on that.

Thanks for your feedback. It’s rarely cold here so if it’s an issue it will be maybe a couple nights a year at most. If there’s ever a storm (hurricane) I plan to bring them indoors into my garage temporarily because I’m not risking them staying outdoors during extreme weather like that!

The hardware cloth I’m using is 19 gauge I believe, so it’s decent. I will make sure to do a quarterly or so inspection of the buried cloth to ensure it’s still solid. Everything in Florida will want to eat my babies (including my dog), so I’m taking my time and spending the money up front to make sure they’re safe. I’m willing to add in any extra precautions.

What about for the door? Any suggestions on latches that’s are pretty fool proof?

 

[Kelsbug7]

Hi Kelsug7, It looks like you're building a solid, predator proof coop/run combo. I'm near Phoenix, where it's hot and dry, so I agree the idea of building a 3-sided coop is great. If your birds seem to need a more secure feeling, you could add some shade cloth to make a partial fourth side, that would keep the ventilation you're designing into the coop/run. I think the main thing is to consider the coop/run as a whole to be their secure, predator-proof night accommodations. they'll go inside the pen, and then onto their roosts when it's night time.

Perfect. Thanks for your feedback. I’ll make changes with time as I feel necessary!

 

[Thespeckledchick]

I live in NW florida, and this is my very ventilated coop. I have family that uses a 3 sided coop, and it works great for them.