Wahooo!!! My drool cup runneth over!
Doors: YES! Possible push-broom in one door, litter out the other! Height: 2' ground clearance will give a dry area for light rain escape, and dust bowl. That height will discourage rodents; they can't hide. 2' is high enough to easily net (long-handled net) a reluctant bird or eggs without much effort. Surround: Buried hardware cloth for mice under it, 1/2"x1" rabbit wire (welded) enclosing legs if you desire, with a secure door on one side; then you could put a ramp down from the floor for protected outdoor time if you don't have a fully enclosed pen. Silkies & ramps: our ramp was at least 6', maybe longer, to decrease the slope. Instead of straight outward from the hutch, it ran AGAINST the hutch. I think that made them feel safer; no exposed heights until they were down closer to the ground. Windows--lots of them. If you have a Habitat for Humanity RE-Store near you, they often have many used windows--all shapes! Arches! Triangles! Even some plant windows that could be used. Rabbit wire inside for security, and you have lovely openable and thermal windows! I live in the city, and we have a 6x20 fully enclosed pen between our house and the neighbor's (privacy fence between, and nice neighbors...) My coop had to be small to fit height-wise, though; max height about 5'4" (good thing we're all short.) I bought a "salesman's sample" window--mini version of large, for $10. and we used one half on the front of my tiny coop. Or try a window factory; friends retrieved a LOT of perfectly suitable windows that were rejects or pulled out of homes they were doing new windows on. Plexiglass: I bought plexiglass panels for a nice cage I retrofitted as a winter outdoor area for my pet bantams; I wanted to be able to SEE them! Not cheap; I left $65.00 for two panels (about 4'x2' and 2-1/2'x2'), but they are great, cut perfectly to size. I bought them at a local business that cuts and sells plastics and nothing else; much cheaper than Home Depot, Lowes, etc.; thicker plexiglass, and cut exactly to my measurements, ready for pickup 2 hours after I called. Lets all the light in. Lighter weight than glass, won't break, usable for other projects if I desire, easy store after winter...Picture THAT on at least the front of your chicken "screen-porch."
Oh, such fun. Hope to see photos!!!
Doors: YES! Possible push-broom in one door, litter out the other! Height: 2' ground clearance will give a dry area for light rain escape, and dust bowl. That height will discourage rodents; they can't hide. 2' is high enough to easily net (long-handled net) a reluctant bird or eggs without much effort. Surround: Buried hardware cloth for mice under it, 1/2"x1" rabbit wire (welded) enclosing legs if you desire, with a secure door on one side; then you could put a ramp down from the floor for protected outdoor time if you don't have a fully enclosed pen. Silkies & ramps: our ramp was at least 6', maybe longer, to decrease the slope. Instead of straight outward from the hutch, it ran AGAINST the hutch. I think that made them feel safer; no exposed heights until they were down closer to the ground. Windows--lots of them. If you have a Habitat for Humanity RE-Store near you, they often have many used windows--all shapes! Arches! Triangles! Even some plant windows that could be used. Rabbit wire inside for security, and you have lovely openable and thermal windows! I live in the city, and we have a 6x20 fully enclosed pen between our house and the neighbor's (privacy fence between, and nice neighbors...) My coop had to be small to fit height-wise, though; max height about 5'4" (good thing we're all short.) I bought a "salesman's sample" window--mini version of large, for $10. and we used one half on the front of my tiny coop. Or try a window factory; friends retrieved a LOT of perfectly suitable windows that were rejects or pulled out of homes they were doing new windows on. Plexiglass: I bought plexiglass panels for a nice cage I retrofitted as a winter outdoor area for my pet bantams; I wanted to be able to SEE them! Not cheap; I left $65.00 for two panels (about 4'x2' and 2-1/2'x2'), but they are great, cut perfectly to size. I bought them at a local business that cuts and sells plastics and nothing else; much cheaper than Home Depot, Lowes, etc.; thicker plexiglass, and cut exactly to my measurements, ready for pickup 2 hours after I called. Lets all the light in. Lighter weight than glass, won't break, usable for other projects if I desire, easy store after winter...Picture THAT on at least the front of your chicken "screen-porch."
Oh, such fun. Hope to see photos!!!
