Pics of my "Playhouse" Coop and Run

[Ragwin Chicks]

I was able to find a play house at the Lowes in my area and am going to assemble this weekend before picking up our baby RIR and wondered if you would share pics of the inside of the coop for set up purposes. Still very new to raising chicks. Wondered how you have them going in and out. Do you just keep the door open during the day and then shut them up at night? Again still very new to all this and wanted to be sure we have it all set up right for out chicks.

 

[tasymo]

I'm really wishing I had taken these pics before the Girls got everything so icky, but that is what chickens do!

This is a shot of the sliding door my DH put in, below the window on the side to the right of the door. You can see this window is covered with plexiglass.

This is the same "chicken door" and ramp from the outside, taken from the inside of the run.

This is the lower roost and my rickety nest box (soon to be upgraded...) They only use this roost as a step up to the upper roost. I only used the heat lamp for a couple of weeks, right after I moved the chicks out to the coop and it was still chilly out. I'll keep it out there this Winter in case we get especially frigid weather.

This is where the Girls sleep. I was really surprised when they started using this roost, which is approx. 4 1/2 feet from the floor. They were still pretty little.

Here is a shot of the base my DH built from 2x8's and a 4x4 piece of plywood for the floor. There is a cut out on hinges that folds down so the litter can be swept out. The whole coop is sitting on four cement blocks so it is a couple of inches off the ground.

I keep the sliding door open all day, once I let the girls out in the morning, so they have access to the coop. Sometimes they will nap, or dust bath in the litter in there. I don't keep their food in there unless it is raining. They put themselves to bed around 8:30. Once everyone in settled on the roost, I slide the door shut and put a piece of wood in the groove to secure it. I've got latches on the front doors, and DH added blocks of wood (one on the base hatch, and one that covers the double door) for extra security. We've got racoons around here and I don't trust their clever, evil little fingers!

I hope this helps! Kathy

 

[Ragwin Chicks]

Thanks the pictures are great. I really like the colors you choose.
We are going to have 3 or 4 chicks. I was thinking of a run that is 4 X 6 that is out from the door of the house and am hoping that will give them enough run room.
Thanks again for posting pictures.

 

[tasymo]

Good luck with your coop and chickens!
I thought I'd add one more pic. These are my Six Girls, all tucked in for the night on the upper roost. It is fascinating watching them go to bed. Because there is only 4x4 feet of floor space they discovered that they had to take turns jumping up there, or they knock each other off. Each Girl goes in, one at a time, while the next in line stands on the ramp, watching alternately through the doorway, and then through the window above the ramp, until the first Girl is settled. They all do this until the last Hen is tucked in, then I slide the door shut and lock up the coop. I sure hope your chickens are as much fun as mine! Kathy

 

[Mahonri]

Yer hens er blest.

 

[Ragwin Chicks]

Just curious why you did not use the bottom half of the door for the chickens to come in. We have not cut into our yet and want to be sure we do everything right. Do you think it would be okay for the chicken to have a larger ramp that comes off from the door. I can shut the door at night. I am wondering why the doors are so small. So much going thru my head to be sure we don't have any do overs. If we use the main door to the play house as their entrance to the coop then it may make if difficult to clean.
Your input is appreciated. What would you do differently? Thanks!