Plastic coop with no floor

[mrsjennywomack]

We live in the Texas hill country and have real predator problems so we finally decided to get a fully enclosed metal/ professionally welded run with cement skirting that the walls are set into, as well at a welded/ enclosed roof. Fort Knox. That being said I'm considering a plastic shed for the coop since I won't have to worry if it's safe. I read previous threads on this subject and I don't think ventilation will be an issue as I plan to just leave the door open all day. The other thing mentioned was flooring not being included, and I figured I just wouldn't do a floor and would pick up the coop and move it to another spot in the run when the poo was enough and just keep doing that. For nesting boxes I would just set some against the wall on top of cinder blocks and just walk in to collect, and for roosts I planned on a leaning ladder situation. Any critique or advice appreciated!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ventilation is a 24/7 thing. You need it at night as much as, and sometimes even more than, in the day Are you planning on leaving the door (human door I assume, not chicken door) open 24/7? How big is the doorway? In a hot humid state like TX you may need as much as an entire wall open or as wire mesh.

Moving the coop - how big and heavy is the shed you're considering? Is it actually feasible to do so considering you mentioned the run will be covered (i.e. you own small enough machinery that can drive in to lift it, or have a crew of guys who can do so?) Technically you don't need a floor in a coop but in most cases that doesn't mean you move the coop to deal with it, generally it's handled similarly to a coop with a floor where you have some form of litter in place and clean it out as needed.

 

[mrsjennywomack]

Ventilation is a 24/7 thing. You need it at night as much as, and sometimes even more than, in the day Are you planning on leaving the door (human door I assume, not chicken door) open 24/7? How big is the doorway? In a hot humid state like TX you may need as much as an entire wall open or as wire mesh.

Moving the coop - how big and heavy is the shed you're considering? Is it actually feasible to do so considering you mentioned the run will be covered (i.e. you own small enough machinery that can drive in to lift it, or have a crew of guys who can do so?) Technically you don't need a floor in a coop but in most cases that doesn't mean you move the coop to deal with it, generally it's handled similarly to a coop with a floor where you have some form of litter in place and clean it out as needed.

So I could leave the door open day and night if that were necessary. In the wooden coop we had before there was only a chicken door and a little mesh wire window. As for moving it, I was going to employ my husband and sons but perhaps I'm taking for granted that plastic means not extremely heavy...

 

[rosemarythyme]

So I could leave the door open day and night if that were necessary. In the wooden coop we had before there was only a chicken door and a little mesh wire window.

One thing to consider with plastic/resin is that humidity and heat could be a bigger issue than with wood, so ample ventilation may be even more necessary compared to a wood coop.

Since you mentioned that you planned to make the run predator proof (if I understood correctly?) then yes you could leave the shed fully open.

As for moving it, I was going to employ my husband and sons but perhaps I'm taking for granted that plastic means not extremely heavy...

I'd check how heavy the shed clocks in before I'd ever consider moving it. Assuming you're buying it from a big box retailer they should have a ship weight on it that would give you a rough idea - like I just clicked a random 6x5 shed on Home Depot and it was 230 lbs. A 7x7 was 325 lbs.

 

[texsuze]

Some thoughts from a Hill Country neighbor Will the wire/mesh on your welded run be hardware cloth or is it 2"x4" welded wire? If welded wire you should not consider the run to be totally predator proof. Squirrels and snakes can sneak through; raccoons and possums can reach through to unsuspecting chickens standing next to the wire, grabbing, maiming and/or killing your birds. Just sayin'.

IMHO a plastic shed for coop will be very hot, very uncomfortable in the Texas heat. Also, periodically moving the coop, regardless of its material, is likely to be disruptive to your chickens, since routines without surprises are generally better for their overall wellbeing. There are many great coop design plans here on BYC that would work in our range of temperatures and weather--some can be built with pallets or other reclaimed materials if you need to monitor costs.

Chickens also prefer some privacy/security when laying, so nest box locations work best if that is taken into consideration.

Another thought: if a decent portion of your run/coop is not under evergreen tree canopy or heavy shade, plan to provide some serious protection from the sun, even during our winters. Perhaps you've already planned for that. Again, just my thoughts, hoping to help!

 

[paintedChix]

You already have the predator proof run. Why have a separate coop, if you are planning on having it inside the run?

Just put in 3/4 height walls on 3 sides of your run extending several feet (3-4). Put your roosts & nest boxes in the protected area.

Similar to this hoop coop (also in TX). Since you run is done, the nest boxes would be inside. I would leave top portions of walls, under your roof open. I'm looking for another, better example.



This one is also in my Pinterest files, but is on BYC - Kuntrygirl- 10/26/2011. As it described above, no wall next to gate, and 3 walls on other end not all the way up...

The thread this pic is from
Thread 'Dog kennel coop- how to make door area predator proof?' https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-how-to-make-door-area-predator-proof.590043/



This one, the walls are all the way up on two sides & other two left open.



I drew on this pic (badly). Its I'm not sure, maybe w/ the rest of your coop/run open, you can do the walls all the way up?



Just ideas.