Open Coop? Feedback welcome!

[MackChicks]

We just finished our coop and run. As you can see our coop is open. I know thy are usually closed to protect against predators. We live 15 minutes from our 4 acres (where our chickens are) so going out twice a day to put them up and let them out of the coop isn't ideal. I grew up helping my grandfather with his farm and he had an open coop. I've seen them in our area too but not on BYC.

 

[torilovessmiles]

In Central Florida, doesn't look like cold weather would be a problem, but I think I would put some hardware cloth on the front to protect from predators. Maybe a wooden door on the nest box end for easy access to eggs, and allow them a place to avoid rain and wind. You could also go for the automatic coop door that opens on a schedule! I've seen them on some threads, they seem pretty handy!
Your run looks really, really nice!

 

[junebuggena]

Don't see much in the way of roosts. You will want them well away from the chicken wire. A raccoon will reach in and tear apart any roosting chicken it can get hold of.

 

[MackChicks]

All great suggestions! Thank you! We've been trying to decide what to do for roosts so I'm glad you said to make sure they're away from the wire!

 

[aart]

Open air is great in FLA.....but chicken wire will not keep any predators out, except birds of prey.
Considering you live 15 minutes away...you may drive up to chicken corpses one day.
Does anyone live on the property to keep an eye on them?
I couldn't do that.. have chooks not next to my home.

 

[MackChicks]

No, we have our house on the market now with the hopes of moving out there soon. Our birds came from people who were downsizing their flock and either they occupied our coop or their dinner plates. We decided to give it a shot. We go out every day, and let them free range for a bit.