Roosting in the Run and Not the Coop!

[KimberK8]

I will measure it out tomorrow, I appreciate the help!

 

[KimberK8]

I just realized you are brand new to BYC.

It's a great community full of helpful folks. I do hope we can figure out why they are sleeping in the run and in the nest boxes.

Yes I'm brand new! It's so wonderful to have a resource from experts. I've only had chickens for a year and a half, it's certainly a learning process. I'll provide dimensions and pictures tomorrow. Many thanks!

 

[aart]

I will measure it out tomorrow, I appreciate the help!

Get some pics of the inside too!

4 are new to the flock this year

When did you add them, how old are they now, in weeks or months?
How old are you older birds?
Guessing the youngers are not integrated yet and may not be 'allowed' on the roosts.

Yes, Welcome to BYC! @KimberK8
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[KimberK8]

Thank you! I've updated my profile, I'm located in upstate New York and the nights (and days) can get cold. I will provide pictures of the inside of the coop as well as the dimensions. I've been brainstorming on adding or changing around the current root bars. But I'll share it first for suggestions.

 

[KimberK8]

KimberK8 I have the same coop, at 7 chickens it seemed a little crowded, I had 3 that would sleep under the coop in the run until it started getting colder at night. I extended the coop, I'll attach a photo here, it almost doubled the inside space and I now have 8 chickens who happily sleep in it.
I took the same external dimensions and extended it down to the gate. The floor is just open, no additional nesting boxes, with a cutout allowing access to the lower level. I still need to add a roost, but I have a couple floor sleepers who are happy perching on a 2x4 set on the floor.

Thank you! This is very helpful. I never thought to extend the coop. I wish the advertisement for this coop didn't false advertise the number of chickens it could house. Major rookie mistake on my part being a first time chicken owner.

 

[2ndTink]

Thank you! This is very helpful. I never thought to extend the coop. I wish the advertisement for this coop didn't false advertise the number of chickens it could house. Major rookie mistake on my part being a first time chicken owner.

I like the coop, my husband and I went back and forth for it seems like weeks between buying and building. We finally just bought this one, I like it, the run is great, overall it was the easy solution. We originally had 5 chicks and they fit in there great. 2 ended up being roos so I sold them and bought 4 laying pullets. And then 3 more, then 4 more... we have built a second cook for the youngest 4 and 6 guinea keets, it is one structure with a divider to keep them separate.

You could make the addition any shape but since I had to build toward the house I kept the same shape. My yard slopes down a bit so I tucked my addition under the roof overhang of the original. Since I'm not a carpenter, I took off the two doors and re-used them on the addition. I drew everything out and made a cut list first then gave it a go. We took a door before it was hung in to the paint store and got some color marched paint. Its paint vs the original coop having more of a stain, but its looks pretty darn good from a few steps away.

Here are a few construction photos, I mostly took shots of my 'building inspectors'. There's a few things I'd do differently, I didn't account for the 2x4 frame for the top door and ended up cutting into the one 2x4 and going clear to the edge on the other side so I had to get a little creative, but overall it worked.

 

[KimberK8]

I like the coop, my husband and I went back and forth for it seems like weeks between buying and building. We finally just bought this one, I like it, the run is great, overall it was the easy solution. We originally had 5 chicks and they fit in there great. 2 ended up being roos so I sold them and bought 4 laying pullets. And then 3 more, then 4 more... we have built a second cook for the youngest 4 and 6 guinea keets, it is one structure with a divider to keep them separate.

You could make the addition any shape but since I had to build toward the house I kept the same shape. My yard slopes down a bit so I tucked my addition under the roof overhang of the original. Since I'm not a carpenter, I took off the two doors and re-used them on the addition. I drew everything out and made a cut list first then gave it a go. We took a door before it was hung in to the paint store and got some color marched paint. Its paint vs the original coop having more of a stain, but its looks pretty darn good from a few steps away.

Here are a few construction photos, I mostly took shots of my 'building inspectors'. There's a few things I'd do differently, I didn't account for the 2x4 frame for the top door and ended up cutting into the one 2x4 and going clear to the edge on the other side so I had to get a little creative, but overall it worked.

You did a great job! And the paint matches perfectly from the photos! I think an addition is a must, I have 13 overall - 12 hens and one Bantam rooster (Tractor supply mistake) but he's cute! Do you live in an area where it gets into the single digits in the winter? Do you use a great lamp? I didn't my first winter and they seemed fine. The lamps make me nervous.

 

[KimberK8]

How big is the coop?
How many chickens?

12 chickens, the coop is rated for 14 chickens and the run is 10 x 10

 

[KimberK8]

How many feet each way is the coop?



Maybe.

Is the run safe from predators? Sometimes that is a bigger issue than the weather.

They certainly need shelter from rain, snow, and wind while they sleep. So a roofed run that has trees nearby to block wind is much different than an uncovered run in the middle of a grassy field.

How cold is it? If you don't know the exact temperature, then does their water have ice in the morning? Is there snow on the ground?

Chickens can be fine below freezing, but the colder it gets the more shelter they need from heavy winds. Fresh air is good, wind is not.

The run is not around any trees to break the wind, open all around but it is safe from predators. Currently we are falling into the low 20s at night, but it will get colder into the winter (single digits). I'm afraid they don't know they are able to roost in the coop at night. They lay their eggs in there, I just don't understand why they won't shelter there. Wondering if I need to train them to go in there at night?

 

[KimberK8]

If your coop rated for 14 birds is a prefab it is likely to small.

How many linear feet of roosting space is in the coop?

It is a pre-fab. There are 4 roosting bars about 2' long. A couple like to sleep in roosting boxes. I never thought of the roosting space since they seem to cluster together so tight. Maybe time to put in another bar! Thank you!