We are gathering pallets and other supplies for possibly a new (bigger!) coop. The outside is going to be a basic rectangle, 12'x9' or so (depending on which way we turn the pallets). I'm going to dismantle my current hoop coop and use that for a roof (probably with metal sheets to better weather/critter proof it). If that doesn't pan out we'll expand my current coop. Either way, I'm not sure what I want to do for the inside. I want to make the most of my square footage, I do know that. They are 99% free range - the only time I have ever seen them NOT come out is in the snow which doesn't happen often here (not at all this past year, so they might be more adventurous now since before they were just in a smaller run). I want to do a roosting ladder of some sort, and of course nesting boxes are a must... those are the obvious. I also want a separate brooding area for either future chicks I buy or (hopefully) a broody hen. I was thinking under the roost area? Obviously it would need a solid "roof" to protect from poop, but aside from that I'm not sure what I want/need to do with it. I have some old window screens that have been working perfectly to give my guineas a safe area away from my bully older hens so I might make a box of some sort out of those? Good ventilation and snake proof (my main predator I've had issues with, although there are plenty of others around). Just trying to get some ideas together. I'm going to be slowly adding to my flock each year and I want to be prepared.
