Roost addition almost complete

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

This holiday weekend hubby and I worked on building the roost addtion. Not finished yet. Have some trim to put on, get the cleaning door on, and the 4 handles for easier moving. Of course going to take help to put it in place. It is heavy (frame and roof is all 2x4s). With the winds we can get here in WA it is definitely built to stand up to it. One roost is a foot from the floor, the other is 2 foot from the floor. Has 6 vents, 2 in front & back, 1 on each side. Roost outside dimensions is 4x4x4. The store bought coop will be the laying box. The dimensions on it is 53"x25"x28". Plenty of room for 3 hens.
Would have been finished yesterday, but I ignored the pain in my bad leg (knee cap removed 23 years ago). Tore the muscle, so have to rest, ice, wrapped and elevated. And on crutches. Makes chicken chores challenging. Hubby said he will finish it this weekend and get help to move it in place.

 

[cavemanrich]

Very nice addition. You did come to the conclusion that the store purchased coop became inadequate. This is not to criticize such coops. Every one needs to start somewhere, and one such coop is a good start.
Many peeps are not sure what chicken keeping will be like, so a small coop is IDEAL. I have suggested that route in the past to those not sure where to start.
Your addition will make the coop space just right for the number of chickens you keep. You can probably sneak in one or two more with no problem.
I do like to make suggestions on what I see, so do not take offense.
I think you need more ventilation. Those small vents are bare bone minimum in my opinion. They are placed in the correct location. I also understand that you have 3 chickens, and your location is not EXTREME COLD. Summers do get hot pretty much everywhere. My suggestion would be to install some windows for natural light and added ventilation.
A window(s) could be opened during hot weather fully, and just cracked open during cold if needed. Window can also be installed in the door.
Just thought I would share some of my Ideas.
WISHING YOU BEST ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Very nice addition. You did come to the conclusion that the store purchased coop became inadequate. This is not to criticize such coops. Every one needs to start somewhere, and one such coop is a good start.
Many peeps are not sure what chicken keeping will be like, so a small coop is IDEAL. I have suggested that route in the past to those not sure where to start.
Your addition will make the coop space just right for the number of chickens you keep. You can probably sneak in one or two more with no problem.
I do like to make suggestions on what I see, so do not take offense.
I think you need more ventilation. Those small vents are bare bone minimum in my opinion. They are placed in the correct location. I also understand that you have 3 chickens, and your location is not EXTREME COLD. Summers do get hot pretty much everywhere. My suggestion would be to install some windows for natural light and added ventilation.
A window(s) could be opened during hot weather fully, and just cracked open during cold if needed. Window can also be installed in the door.
Just thought I would share some of my Ideas.
WISHING YOU BEST ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

The one we bought I knew it would be temporary, needed something quick for the rescued hens. If we didn't take them in they would have been killed by the chicken killing dog or the landlord was going to cull them. Saved them from certain death. Told hubby we only had to do a roost addition, the little coop wold be the nesting box.
No offence taken, I appreciate the suggestions. Never take offence, we learn something new every day. I told hubby bigger vents...lol. That was the biggest hole saw he had. We don't get real hot weather, maybe a week or two in the 80's, some times higher. Mainly in mid 70's. Do have a small frame with hardware cloth on it we can put on the door. Do a cut out, cut 2-3 inches off, place hinges on the bottom have it open in the summer and a couple hooks on top to close all but the 2-3 inches for the winter. That would be a easy fix. We did put 3 of the 2 inch vents on what will be the nesting box, and have hinged the top so it can be cracked open. Thank You for the helpful suggestions.

 

[cavemanrich]

needed something quick for the rescued hens. If we didn't take them in they would have been killed by the chicken killing dog or the landlord was going to cull them. Saved them from certain death

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Very nice addition. You did come to the conclusion that the store purchased coop became inadequate. This is not to criticize such coops. Every one needs to start somewhere, and one such coop is a good start.
Many peeps are not sure what chicken keeping will be like, so a small coop is IDEAL. I have suggested that route in the past to those not sure where to start.
Your addition will make the coop space just right for the number of chickens you keep. You can probably sneak in one or two more with no problem.
I do like to make suggestions on what I see, so do not take offense.
I think you need more ventilation. Those small vents are bare bone minimum in my opinion. They are placed in the correct location. I also understand that you have 3 chickens, and your location is not EXTREME COLD. Summers do get hot pretty much everywhere. My suggestion would be to install some windows for natural light and added ventilation.
A window(s) could be opened during hot weather fully, and just cracked open during cold if needed. Window can also be installed in the door.
Just thought I would share some of my Ideas.
WISHING YOU BEST ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and

Forgot to mention we have a string of 60 LED Mini Lights to attach to the 2x4s, that will be on a timer. Have the same kind of string light stapled on the roof of the store bought coop, on a timer. Timer I got has 2 plugs but won't need the lights on the store bought coop since it will be the nesting box, so I'll unplug that set of lights.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Plan is to move it in place Sunday morning so the girls can check it out all day long. Have the lights come on and lights unplugged on the nesting box.
They are already curious about the addtion. They stand and look at it and do what I call the happy dance (stand in place stomping there feet). I believe they will take to the roost addtion with no problems.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

UPDATE: Today was the first day I was able to work some on the roost addtion (laid up lateral tear at knee). We finished putting on the trim, moving handles attached, cleaning door made and hung (put in a screen window on door for more ventilation). Will have a hinged cover leaving 3 inches at top for the winter. LED light string stapled on roof 2x4s.
What is left is to put the steel roof on. Hubby talked to some guys he knows that makes steel buildings and they are cutting & giving us the 2 pieces needed for the roof. And shim the 2 slide locks. Pictures of the front & back
.

 

[Twoleggedmotherhen]

Roost has been put in place! Landlord's son and a neighbor helped hubby put it in place. Before I could get the ramp on the girls were sticking their heads inside the door. Didn't have the wood shavings in it yet either. As I was putting the wood shavings in they kept popping their heads in. Roost lights on a timer. The temporary coop (which is now the nesting box) lights unplugged.
I was hoping they would accept it. Went out to see if they went in it or were in the other. We have success, all three were on the 2 foot roosting bar! So happy they have accepted the addition. Will post picture of the setup tomorrow.