Roost placement

[K0k0shka]

I would also change the direction of the roost bars to allow for more take of and landing space.
View attachment 1953656

Would that be okay with the pop door being right next to them? The pop door will stay open permanently.

 

[RoosterML]

Would that be okay with the pop door being right next to them? The pop door will stay open permanently.

I don’t see the pop door in the photo

 

[K0k0shka]

I don’t see the pop door in the photo

 

[RoosterML]

View attachment 1953670

That would work great if you install a poop board under roost which will be above pop door. Makes for really easy cleaning also. That is how my pop door is located.
Adding the poop board nearly double the floor space. You can hang waterer or feeder under also

 

[K0k0shka]

I may put something above the pop door, but it will be slanted. As I explained earlier in the thread, I don't want actual poop boards. But I like the idea of putting something above and/or in front of the pop door to block drafts.

 

[aart]

I assume (CRS) you will have a covered and wind blocked run?
That may remove any draft issues via the pop door.

 

[K0k0shka]

I assume (CRS) you will have a covered and wind blocked run?
That may remove any draft issues via the pop door.

It will be fully covered and wind-blocked for the winter only. For the rest of the year, I'll remove the wall covers and leave half of the roof covered (closer to the coop) and half of it uncovered, to let some rain in for the shrubs and for the run floor to get some cold composting action going. So, for part of the year I won't have to worry about any wind coming in through the pop door, but for the rest of the year, the run just outside it will be covered only on top...

 

[K0k0shka]

Ooh I just had another idea! I've seen this on BYC somewhere. I could put a wind-blocking curtain on the pop door, made of clear plastic strips, like this:

I can teach the chickens to push it to go through. I've read that some chickens take a long time to learn, but some learn faster... I suppose if they're used to the door being open it would be harder to adapt to a change, but if I do that from the start and that's all they've ever known since babies, it might be easier for them to learn? Then I don't have to worry about drafts, right? The kind of drafts/wind I'd get in spring and fall, at least, when the run walls will be uncovered. Winter storms won't be an issue because I'll have the run wrapped in plastic in the winter.

 

[aart]

I suppose if they're used to the door being open it would be harder to adapt to a change, but if I do that from the start and that's all they've ever known since babies, it might be easier for them to learn?

Have read that you tack up the center strips at first,
then drop them down 2 at a time until they get used to pushing thru.

 

[K0k0shka]

Have read that you tack up the center strips at first,
then drop them down 2 at a time until they get used to pushing thru.

Smaht!