Redesigning coop, input appreciated

[Harmoni]

Does the window not close? If it doesn't, then I agree. But if it DOES, and is draft free when closed, having the roost in front of the window would likely be a good thing as they would be kept cooler in the heat. For ME, having to work at ground level is no issue. But picking stuff from a bit higher level, but lower than about waist high, is awkward. (Maybe because tools are made to reach the ground, and I have had horses for 40+ years. So cleaning up after birds that are pooping on the ground is easy peasy! LOL)

The window does close. We actually have a fan blowing out in it currently.

 

[Alaskan]

Walk in. I'm currently scooping poop off the floor so 18 inches would be an improvement lol. We could go higher. I just am not sure about roosts in front of a window. Although we are in fl so heat is more of an issue than cold.

Height...make it the height that works best and is most comfortable for your back.

In Florida i would want at least one coop wall made with solid hardware cloth... that heat in a locked up box would be horrid. (I am originally from Texas, and used to at least 1/2 of the coop being wire. Where it is hot, a breeze at perch height is a great idea.)

If the window can close up, then the perch in front of the window, with the wall opposite being solid wire would be great (as long as you have great big eves on the roof to keep out rain).

Of course... you might not want a perch up against a wire wall.... but then again the birds might love it in the heat you have.

But if we then decide no perch on the new wire wall... to get enough perch space for 8 birds... I would put a second perch on the front edge of the poop tray by the window.

All of mine perch the same direction and I have zero issues with this setup. However, it might not work for you, since some might want to look out your window.

(My bantam poop shelf below)

So.... my other thought is to put the perches/poop shelf/ nest boxes on the wall opposite of the people door.

pop door can stay where it is, and be a bit under the poop shelf if need be. But then you need to pick a different wall to convert to mostly or all wire..

8 in that coop would be a bit tight... but probably fine in Florida, especially since that run you mentioned is a fully secure run that they can always access.

I would however put a sheltered spot in the run to have feed and water, to reduce any potential bullying issues.

However, carving out space for storage...ehhhh.... depends on how much space that eats up.. You could stick some totes on the ceiling (hang, hooks, shelf). that would work fine, since it would not reduce the chicken coop floor space.

 

[Harmoni]

Height...make it the height that works best and is most comfortable for your back.

In Florida i would want at least one coop wall made with solid hardware cloth... that heat in a locked up box would be horrid. (I am originally from Texas, and used to at least 1/2 of the coop being wire. Where it is hot, a breeze at perch height is a great idea.)

If the window can close up, then the perch in front of the window, with the wall opposite being solid wire would be great (as long as you have great big eves on the roof to keep out rain).

Of course... you might not want a perch up against a wire wall.... but then again the birds might love it in the heat you have.

But if we then decide no perch on the new wire wall... to get enough perch space for 8 birds... I would put a second perch on the front edge of the poop tray by the window.

All of mine perch the same direction and I have zero issues with this setup. However, it might not work for you, since some might want to look out your window.

(My bantam poop shelf below)
View attachment 2534543
So.... my other thought is to put the perches/poop shelf/ nest boxes on the wall opposite of the people door.

pop door can stay where it is, and be a bit under the poop shelf if need be. But then you need to pick a different wall to convert to mostly or all wire..

8 in that coop would be a bit tight... but probably fine in Florida, especially since that run you mentioned is a fully secure run that they can always access.

I would however put a sheltered spot in the run to have feed and water, to reduce any potential bullying issues.

However, carving out space for storage...ehhhh.... depends on how much space that eats up.. You could stick some totes on the ceiling (hang, hooks, shelf). that would work fine, since it would not reduce the chicken coop floor space.

We are looking to possibly air conditioning the coop. For some reason, my husband is not comfortable with a hardware cloth wall because of hurricanes.
I have a bunch of obstacles in the run and 3 feeders and 2 waterers.

 

[aart]

Our goal is a flock of 8

Then you'll need probably need a bigger coop...and maybe a different style for your climate.
5x6 is good for 4 but adding new birds takes extra space.

we are in fl

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[aart]

We are looking to possibly air conditioning the coop. For some reason, my husband is not comfortable with a hardware cloth wall because of hurricanes.

AC all year most the year?!
Instead of hurricane panels for when needed?
Not a good idea....AC is not good for them anyway.

 

[Harmoni]

2534789[/ATTACH]

The link didn't work

 

[aart]

The link didn't work

Pics attachments are glitchy since update, sorry I didn't check to see it worked.
Should be there now.

 

[Harmoni]

Got it! Thanks!
I honestly don't think there is enough room for other storage. The a/c wouldn't be directly to the coop but to the playhouse it is attached to since we want to a/c that. There would be just residual cooling.
I definitely think there needs to be more ventilation. I'm trying to convince my husband. He thinks that since there is a fan, there is enough air flow, I disagree.
We are building a second day time only run that will allow the people door to be open all day which I think will help.
The only wall that we could hardware cloth right now would be where the pop door is under our kids' playhouse, since it is sheltered from the elements.
The roof does have an overhang but only over the back where the one window is. We would have to redo the roof to be able to hardware cloth another side.

 

[Alaskan]

The only wall that we could hardware cloth right now would be where the pop door is under our kids' playhouse

That sounds like a great option.

 

[Harmoni]

Thanks for all the input! We are adding 2 extra vents, an exhaust fan, cutting openings by the pop door, adding a day time run off the people door so that door can stay open. The inside is also redesigned. Nest boxes are lower, roosts with poop boards higher, storage under nest boxes.