Please Criticize My Coop In Progress

[Geckolady]

Don't worry about hurting my feelings. I spent a few years teaching at a high school for troubled kids. I can take it, and would far rather you tell me something is a bad idea than lose a chicken to predators.

The main predators here are coyotes, fox, snakes, and hawks. A while back the neighbors saw a bobcat, which their grandkids named Bob, but Bob hasn't been seen or heard from in over a year.

The first picture is the inside of the coop with the door open. Should I add another perch? There are two small ones in the corners.

I spent the afternoon putting up the frame for the run. It's getting ready to storm, so I had to quit. The safety door is dirty, but it's just sand. It'll wash off easily. I got it off Craigslist for $25, and thought it would help increase the ventilation over the solid door that was on the coop. Someone I know built the coop for me. It's double walled, and sitting on a concrete slab. On the agenda is adding a deadbolt to the door, and straightening the run. The run also needs to be attached to the coop. Any ideas on how to do that? The run came with a heavy tarp to go over the top, but with the high winds out here, I'm not sure that would be sufficient. I'm thinking of covering the frame with chicken wire underneath the tarp to keep the hawks out and the chickens in in case it should come apart in the wind, and maintaining the tarp as best as I can. Since there is a gap between the top of the run and the top of the door, I plan to cover that gap with 1/4" hardware cloth. I'll have to duck going into the coop, but at least it should be safe.

The coop measures 5' x 6' plus the nest boxes inside, and the run is 4' x 10' long.

I need to finish asap, because I need to move the Dorking pullets inside it so their grow-out area can be used by the Leghorn chicks. I need the brooder box that they're currently in, since I have eggs due to hatch on Sunday. Busy, busy.

Any other ideas for improvements? Here's the view from behind.

Edited to add: There are long ventilation holes covered with 1/4" hardware cloth on the sides. You just can't see them in these pictures.

 

[OtherRaptor]

The first picture is the inside of the coop with the door open. Should I add another perch? There are two small ones in the corners.

It depends on how many birds you have.
The run also needs to be attached to the coop. Any ideas on how to do that? The run came with a heavy tarp to go over the top, but with the high winds out here, I'm not sure that would be sufficient. I'm thinking of covering the frame with chicken wire underneath the tarp to keep the hawks out and the chickens in in case it should come apart in the wind, and maintaining the tarp as best as I can. Since there is a gap between the top of the run and the top of the door, I plan to cover that gap with 1/4" hardware cloth. I'll have to duck going into the coop, but at least it should be safe.

The run also needs to be attached to the coop. Any ideas on how to do that?

Metal staples or screws might be an option.

I need to finish asap, because I need to move the Dorking pullets inside it so their grow-out area can be used by the Leghorn chicks. I need the brooder box that they're currently in, since I have eggs due to hatch on Sunday. Busy, busy.
Any other ideas for improvements?

I assume your putting litter on the floor and nesting boxes. I think the run is going to need some heavy upgrading to be predator-proof. Be wary of raccoons, they are sneaky with the latches.
Otherwise, keep at it and good luck!

 

[InterestingChickens]

I assume that the pieces of wood in the corners are the roosting bars. They are too thin. 5 cm x 10 cm work best (2 inches by 4 inches) with the wide side up. Natural branches are good too, if they are suitable and smooth enough. How many chickens are you planning to have? That coup and run looks big enough for 3 chickens at the max.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Things that pop out to me.....

Doors that open inward can become blocked by shaving or worse crush a chicken when being opened. Yup I learned that chicken part the hard way.
I would look at ways to get that run lifted up so you can look at a swing OUT door.

Roost needs to have 1 linear foot per bird. I would make 2 roosts at 5' long that can be removed...lifted out.

Nests behind roosts tend to get droppings tracked onto them. There needs to be a lip on the nest box to keep nest material in.

 

[Geckolady]

I assume that the pieces of wood in the corners are the roosting bars. They are too thin. 5 cm x 10 cm work best (2 inches by 4 inches) wit the wide side up. How many chickens are you planning to have?

I plan to put 4 Dorkings in there to start with, then once they've established their presence there, add 4 Leghorns. Since the Dorkings are mellow compared to the Leghorns, my guess is that by letting them into the territory first it might result in less arguing among the flock than if I put them all in there at once. Currently I have 2 Dorkings in a chicken tractor, and 2 more in a grow-out pen that are nearly full sized.

 

[Geckolady]

Things that pop out to me.....

Doors that open inward can become blocked by shaving or worse crush a chicken when being opened. Yup I learned that chicken part the hard way.
I would look at ways to get that run lifted up so you can look at a swing OUT door.

Roost needs to have 1 linear foot per bird. I would make 2 roosts at 5' long that can be removed...lifted out.

Nests behind roosts tend to get droppings tracked onto them. There needs to be a lip on the nest box to keep nest material in.

Thanks. You're going to keep me busy, which is a good thing. I can take care of the roosting bars right away. The roosting bars that are in it are small, round, and about the diameter of a broom handle. Two 5' bars across the coop ought to make it more comfortable for them.

 

[InterestingChickens]

I plan to put 4 Dorkings in there to start with, then once they've established their presence there, add 4 Leghorns. Since the Dorkings are mellow compared to the Leghorns, my guess is that by letting them into the territory first it might result in less arguing among the flock than if I put them all in there at once. Currently I have 2 Dorkings in a chicken tractor, and 2 more in a grow-out pen that are nearly full sized.

So...
8 chickens in that space, if I read it correctly? That seems like a lot...

 

[bill3607]

You can probably attach the run to the coop with a 1 hole strap or 2 hole strap. You can find them in any place that sells electrical supplies, or you can just get them off of Amazon and probably Walmart, too. They are used to fasten electrical conduit to a surface and you can get them in different sizes 1/2", 3/4" etc

I prefer a 2" x 4" for roost wide side up or skinny side up either one. I have both and the birds use both. However, those could be fine also, but not much room especially in the corner like that. It looks like max on those would be 1 bird a piece. They may end up roosting on top of your nest boxes.

You mentioned snakes so without hardware cloth over the whole run you will not keep them out of it. And, some other predators as well such as weasels and raccoons reaching thru, but you did not mention those so maybe you do not have them. The bobcat possibly could reach thru and grab one also. Rats also if they are a possibility.

I am curious if the inside walls are drywall or is that plywood. It appears to be drywall. Which if it is completely dry I guess would be okay. And, it may not be drywall but the edges look like it in the picture. Wood would be better.

As far as space in the coop you could do about 8 or so birds with the measurements you gave. I know you will be told exactly 4 sq. feet per bird and it is a good reference but does not have to be exact. However, more space per bird is always better.

I do not know if you mentioned size of run. You will be told 10 sq. feet per bird and again it is a good reference but does not have to be exact, and it holds true again that more space per bird is always better

 

[Geckolady]

You can probably attach the run to the coop with a 1 hole strap or 2 hole strap. You can find them in any place that sells electrical supplies, or you can just get them off of Amazon and probably Walmart, too. They are used to fasten electrical conduit to a surface and you can get them in different sizes 1/2", 3/4" etc

I prefer a 2" x 4" for roost wide side up or skinny side up either one. I have both and the birds use both. However, those could be fine also, but not much room especially in the corner like that. It looks like max on those would be 1 bird a piece. They may end up roosting on top of your nest boxes.

You mentioned snakes so without hardware cloth over the whole run you will not keep them out of it. And, some other predators as well such as weasels and raccoons reaching thru, but you did not mention those so maybe you do not have them. The bobcat possibly could reach thru and grab one also. Rats also if they are a possibility.

I am curious if the inside walls are drywall or is that plywood. It appears to be drywall. Which if it is completely dry I guess would be okay. And, it may not be drywall but the edges look like it in the picture. Wood would be better.

As far as space in the coop you could do about 8 or so birds with the measurements you gave. I know you will be told exactly 4 sq. feet per bird and it is a good reference but does not have to be exact. However, more space per bird is always better.

I do not know if you mentioned size of run. You will be told 10 sq. feet per bird and again it is a good reference but does not have to be exact, and it holds true again that more space per bird is always better

The inside of the coop is a combination of plywood and chip board that I painted. It's double walled, with an inside wall and an outside wall with several inches of air space in between.

 

[21hens-incharge]

So...
8 chickens in that space, if I read it correctly? That seems like a lot...

I think it will be ok inside the coop 5x6=30 square feet. It's just a bit snug but far better than we see in those prefabs.

The run....that may (will) need added onto. It's ok for now but will definitely need hardware cloth and expanded in order to work for 8 grown birds. As a grow out space it isn't to tiny. If 8 grown birds will use it then yes long-term it's small.