Roost positions, headspace, drafts & poop board

[andreamunroe]

I’m getting closer to finishing my new coop, it is a raised 4’x8’ coop with a run below and covered run behind. The rafters of the coop are 3’ high at the rear, 4’ tall at the front. There is 3.5” of ventilation across both front and back, as well as on the sides at the peak, and I have a bit more ventilation to add (as well as the front door, and all the wire mesh, finishing touches etc)

My question- originally I was going to run one king roost (2x4 laid flat, on joist hangers) 1’ away from he back wall, with a poop board under. The poop board was going nowhere to be 18” high and the roost 24” high. The best box was going to be in one corner below the poop board, and the pop door under it as well. but now I’m thinking that this doesn’t leave enough headspace for the hens. Because the run behind the coop is covered, the rear vent (along the top of the back wall) is well sheltered. But would it be wise to move the roost and poop board closer to the front of the coop where the roof is higher? This will make cleaning and access harder for me. I could instead lower the roost and poop bar a couple of inches, but I need them to be able to use the floor space below it- not sure how much headspace they need under a poop board if they were walking across the floor. Another option would be to run two shorter roosts, one at either end, from front to back.

Thoughts? Thanks!

 

[aart]

4' width is tight for an effective poop board as they are usually 2' wide.
How many birds do you plan on keeping in there?

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

 

[Alaskan]

I am not at all familiar with Nova Scotia climate... what are your highs and lows?

 

[aart]

I am not at all familiar with Nova Scotia climate... what are your highs and lows?

I wondered that too, so googled, it's fairly mild.

 

[andreamunroe]

Thanks for the replies! Sorry, my phone autocorrected and garbled up my original post a bit and I didn’t notice. I’ve figured it out- I went with an 8ft roost running lengthwise (6 birds). I think there is enough headspace above it. I’m just about finished it, pullets are coming today! I’ll post picks when it’s finished.