Opinion on coop design from those with more experience than I

[BokerTov]

Hello,

Would anyone be able to weigh in with their opinion on this coop?

Video:

Plans: http://www.thegardencoop.com/chicken-coop-plans.html

I’m in Colorado, completely new to the world of chicken keeping, looking to find plans for a coop build for 3 chickens- I want to start small and increase work load slowly.

Thank you in advance.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

I love the garden coop design, and the Wichita Cabin Coop, very similar. I’m a new chicken owner myself, so most of my info comes from extensive reading.

I didn’t watch every minute of the video, so I didn’t see how much ventilation he has on the coop section. Recommended is 1 sq. ft. per chicken. Also, in rural Vermont the feed storage would need to be much more secure. No need to invite the raccoons and bears over to discover the chickens!

It’s good to have a covered run in snow country. Probably would need to throw a tarp over that run in winter so they could get more protection from wind and snow.

He said he used 1/4-inch hardware cloth, but that actually is 1/2-inch. As it should be. Other options are too flimsy or have openings that will let in weasels and things. Also, it’s tacked in, and should either be reinforced with trim on top, or screws with washers.

See how much you can learn on BYC?

And hi! Glad to have you here! Consider posting an intro thread!

 

[BokerTov]

I love the garden coop design, and the Wichita Cabin Coop, very similar. I’m a new chicken owner myself, so most of my info comes from extensive reading.

I didn’t watch every minute of the video, so I didn’t see how much ventilation he has on the coop section. Recommended is 1 sq. ft. per chicken. Also, in rural Vermont the feed storage would need to be much more secure. No need to invite the raccoons and bears over to discover the chickens!

It’s good to have a covered run in snow country. Probably would need to throw a tarp over that run in winter so they could get more protection from wind and snow.

He said he used 1/4-inch hardware cloth, but that actually is 1/2-inch. As it should be. Other options are too flimsy or have openings that will let in weasels and things. Also, it’s tacked in, and should either be reinforced with trim on top, or screws with washers.

See how much you can learn on BYC?

And hi! Glad to have you here! Consider posting an intro thread!

Thank you for your help- I appreciate it

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Don’t forget to check out the Articles section (link up top). There are about 4,000 coops on here. More or less.

 

[jthornton]

You should put your location in your profile.

I think it's a terrible coop design... I don't see any ventilation in the roost area, very hard to clean inside the roost area. Also a bad idea to store feed in a plastic container outside the mice and rats will find that and have a field day at the buffet. He does have the elevation of the roost correctly above the nest boxes. That latch can be opened by a raccoon in a few minutes. I'd have at least a 6" high board around the inside to contain the pine chips. I'd make the door open to the outside and have a removable board in front of the door to contain the pine chips. It does look predator proof except for the latches.

If your in an area that gets lots of snow you need more covered run than people that don't get much snow. Big overhangs on the coop and run help a lot.

JT

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

I agree with @jthornton. Also, consider that your chickens will likely spend more time inside the coop on the coldest winter days and they will need extra space to minimize grumpy, claustrophobic hens. Another thing. What is under the run to prevent digging predators and rodents? You might consider planning extra space for the eventual chicken addition. Good luck!

 

[BokerTov]

I love the garden coop design, and the Wichita Cabin Coop, very similar. I’m a new chicken owner myself, so most of my info comes from extensive reading.

I didn’t watch every minute of the video, so I didn’t see how much ventilation he has on the coop section. Recommended is 1 sq. ft. per chicken. Also, in rural Vermont the feed storage would need to be much more secure. No need to invite the raccoons and bears over to discover the chickens!

It’s good to have a covered run in snow country. Probably would need to throw a tarp over that run in winter so they could get more protection from wind and snow.

He said he used 1/4-inch hardware cloth, but that actually is 1/2-inch. As it should be. Other options are too flimsy or have openings that will let in weasels and things. Also, it’s tacked in, and should either be reinforced with trim on top, or screws with washers.

See how much you can learn on BYC?

And hi! Glad to have you here! Consider posting an intro thread!

Just to be sure I make the correct notes: 1/2 inch hardware wire is the right kind to get? Not 1/4 inch like he says?

Thank you again

 

[BokerTov]

You should put your location in your profile.

I think it's a terrible coop design... I don't see any ventilation in the roost area, very hard to clean inside the roost area. Also a bad idea to store feed in a plastic container outside the mice and rats will find that and have a field day at the buffet. He does have the elevation of the roost correctly above the nest boxes. That latch can be opened by a raccoon in a few minutes. I'd have at least a 6" high board around the inside to contain the pine chips. I'd make the door open to the outside and have a removable board in front of the door to contain the pine chips. It does look predator proof except for the latches.

If your in an area that gets lots of snow you need more covered run than people that don't get much snow. Big overhangs on the coop and run help a lot.

JT

@jthornton:
Location added, thank you for the suggestion.

Okay, so for the sake of learning, would the design be ameliorated if:

1) there was more ventilation added into the coop
2) the feed was not stored outside
3) a more sturdy latch was used
4) a "kick board" was added to the inside to contain the pine shavings
5) door opened to the outside instead of inside
6) used a clear SunTuf roof with plenty of overhang to keep snow off the run

I haven't found many places selling detailed instructions such as these folks so if I can alter their design to make it better, it would be more "doable" for me. I'm no carpenter so having to figure it all out from scratch is not realistic.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Have you looked at the threads on coop construction on this site?

 

[jthornton]

If I was building a coop and run that size I would simply build a rectangular box with the roost area covered to block the wind and HC the rest. I would not put a floor like that video show but rather just have that end a walk in area. Much easier to clean and do maintenance. And all the things you mentioned above. In the winter you may need to cover the HC with plastic to block the wind. You could put the nest box under the roost and use the top with some Sweet PDZ or similar for a poop tray. If you don't have bears metal garbage cans are secure enough to store feed.

JT