Please help me design this....

[Bodhisan]

I had posted earlier about adding a run to this - but now that I've cleaned it out and assessed it, I'm not sure how to proceed. FYI, we're zoned for six chickens, but I'll probably start/stick with four. Obviously, I need to replace/patch up siding at the bottom edges, but I'm wondering: (1) Would it be beneficial to raise the floor/make a loft for the chickens and have storage below? (2) Should I insulate the walls? This is the Seattle area. What sort of entrance should I make? It's been built to have a 32" door - and even has hinges from prior owner. I'm soooooo open to your experienced opinions, please!

 

[AidKD]

I would not suggest raising the floor and putting storage underneath, that would be to easy for mice. It would be good if you insulated to keep heat in during the winter and help keep cool air in during the summer. I would put a dutch door leading out to the run so you can also get in there and have a normal door going into the coop. I would put a wood bar up so they can roost up there. My chickens love the one that's in their coop. Any more questions?

 

[3KillerBs]

Insulation is pointless if you put in adequate ventilation. Heat and ammonia both rise so opening the top of the gable on both ends is probably a good idea. You should have a minimum of 1 square foot of ventilation per chicken even when you've got the side windows closed to prevent direct drafts on the roost in cold weather.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Absolutely no reason for insulation in Seattle area. Never gets cold enough or hot enough for it, plus rodents love getting in insulation and nesting in it.

 

[Bodhisan]

Thanks for your suggestions, everybody - that helps me a lot.

 

[aart]

Needs a full door to coop.
I like a separate human door to run.
Wonders about the existing floor, is it sound...anything living underneath it?

Looks like it needs a new roof too.
Which would offer the opportunity to add some good overhangs for eave venting.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Bodhisan
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Bodhisan]

Indeed, there is some rotted wood. I don't know if I'll get to that immediately, but it will be in the future. I had patched the roof, and it's no longer leaking, anyway. As for the floor - and actually, all of the "holes" in the photos, it's all been patched up - there are no longer critter entry points (it might not look pretty, but it's secure). I'd had a cord of wood that had been in there for 20 years, and when I cleaned it out yesterday, I found a dead rat and lots of rat doo-doo...there were several entry points to the shed, animal holes going underneath. If there is anything living underneath, all of its entry/exit points have now been eliminated, and I'm going to be keeping an eye on it.

I am planning a human sized door for the run, and when you say human door for the coop - that its my plan, and while a Dutch door was recommended, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just do a regular door, and add a pop door at the bottom of it?

How high off the floor should the roost board/limb be, and should I make a ladder to get to it?

 

[aart]

that its my plan, and while a Dutch door was recommended, I'm wondering if I shouldn't just do a regular door, and add a pop door at the bottom of it?

I would have the pop door in the coop wall going into the run.
I assume your run will go off to the right of the coop as it appears in the first pic above?

How high off the floor should the roost board/limb be, and should I make a ladder to get to it?

Here's some tips on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

 

[Bodhisan]

Thanks, aart. After I had asked that question about the pop door, I was thinking the same thing - except having the pop door to the left of the human door, as we were planning on having the run come straight out the front, with an option to have access into a fenced-in (but not totally predatory-proof) area to the left up under the pines. So the run would be offset a bit to the left of the coop, maybe sticking a foot or two beyond the coop's wall. I'm still contemplating it. Thanks for the info on the heights.