Redesigning coop, input appreciated

[Cattle dog Mom]

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.

Very nice. Is there a reason you didnt put the 2x4's (roost bars) wide side up?

 

[Harmoni]

Very nice. Is there a reason you didnt put the 2x4's (roost bars) wide side up?

I assuming my husband attached then that way so there was more weight support? And to avoid requiring a middle support? No clue, I would have to ask him lol.

 

[Alaskan]

Perfectly fine to have the roosts that way in Florida

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'm here in FL, spent 4 decades of life here, nothing withstands a hurricane - at least, not a serious (Cat 3+) hurricane. Best you can do is build the structure heavy, concrete or anchor it in place, and decide what you are willing to sacrifice. Chances are, its the roof. Which ain't great for the birds inside, no matter what you do.

If you don't frame a wall of ventilation to deal with our heat, or engage in some creative passive air flow engineering, and you aren't willing or able to tolerate predator losses, then be certain to include one or two external nesting bars in your protected run. Much of the year, you will find your birds sleeping on those, by choice, even in conditions we would consider unpleasant (at minimum).

 

[Cattle dog Mom]

Perfectly fine to have the roosts that way in Florida

Location doesn't make it more or less comfortable though. THAT was why I asked the OP if there was a reason. If their chickens prefer it narrow side up, that's fine. If they would prefer it wide side up, them being in FL has nothing to do with it.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Breed and age preference? Most of my perches are wide side up, and the bigger adult birds seem to prefer it, but I also have 2x3s wide side, and 2xs narrow side up. The birds find where they are most comfortable. Also have some roughly 3-4" dia saplings for interest, should they want something a bit more rounded. Those aren't as popular, honestly.

For the majority, popular is wide side, but I've some big birds. Seems unlikely banties would agree.

 

[Harmoni]

I'm here in FL, spent 4 decades of life here, nothing withstands a hurricane - at least, not a serious (Cat 3+) hurricane. Best you can do is build the structure heavy, concrete or anchor it in place, and decide what you are willing to sacrifice. Chances are, its the roof. Which ain't great for the birds inside, no matter what you do.

If you don't frame a wall of ventilation to deal with our heat, or engage in some creative passive air flow engineering, and you aren't willing or able to tolerate predator losses, then be certain to include one or two external nesting bars in your protected run. Much of the year, you will find your birds sleeping on those, by choice, even in conditions we would consider unpleasant (at minimum).

We are going to have at least 2 fans going at all times and a roost bar in the protected run. My husband is thinking about an underground cooling pipe design. We have a thermometer in there to monitor the temps.

 

[Harmoni]

Location doesn't make it more or less comfortable though. THAT was why I asked the OP if there was a reason. If their chickens prefer it narrow side up, that's fine. If they would prefer it wide side up, them being in FL has nothing to do with it.

They don't seem to mind. They have been sleeping on the higher set in front of the window

 

[Harmoni]

Breed and age preference? Most of my perches are wide side up, and the bigger adult birds seem to prefer it, but I also have 2x3s wide side, and 2xs narrow side up. The birds find where they are most comfortable. Also have some roughly 3-4" dia saplings for interest, should they want something a bit more rounded. Those aren't as popular, honestly.

For the majority, popular is wide side, but I've some big birds. Seems unlikely banties would agree.

2 rirs, 6 months and 2 golden comets, 3 months.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

Source you fans for humid and dusty, expect high rates of replacement, make certain they don't draft any of your birds, and that there's no fire hazards. Honestly, I'd never go that route, but if I did, I'd go with a small solar panel, a tiny battery for backup (like those used in UPSs), and run some dual ball bearing computer case fans to move the air - either 120mm or 140mm, in the 75-90 cfm range, which will turn all the air in that coop over at least 6 times per hour, likely closer to 10 or 12x at top speed.