Small coop/run conundrums

[loyaleowyn]

just a thought for the wooded sides on the RUN. you could turn that into a Grazing box,

That sounds very interesting!

 

[Krugerrand]

Here's something to consider,

Can you turn your roosts to run the other way in the coop? You could probably take out a pair of nesting boxes to facilitate that. Not sure how many chickens you'll be housing.

 

[avjudge]

Here's something to consider,

Can you turn your roosts to run the other way in the coop? You could probably take out a pair of nesting boxes to facilitate that.

This is how I installed the roosts in my 3’x12’ winter coop. In my case the people door is on the long side, so the two roosts are to the right and the nesting boxes (2) and pop door are to the left. They are at 3’ and 4‘ high and my five (originally six) hens generally share the higher rear one. I actually set them in notches so that they lift out for coop cleaning, and the front one can be set at either 2‘ or 3‘ but my chickens have no problem hopping up to 3 feet.

This gives them a good 6 feet of clear space ahead of them (well, except for the hanging water bucket in the center which they have no problem avoiding) when they hop down from the roost.

 

[loyaleowyn]

Here's something to consider,

Can you turn your roosts to run the other way in the coop? You could probably take out a pair of nesting boxes to facilitate that. Not sure how many chickens you'll be housing.

View attachment 3432354

Wow, look at all the trouble you went to to give me a visual!! Love this idea so much, thanks!

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

Wow, look at all the trouble you went to to give me a visual!! Love this idea so much, thanks!

And pro tip - either make it so you can remove them (they rest in slots, not screwed in, or a ladder that leans on that far wall) or make sure the height/angle works so you can still reach the back edge of the floor easily with your rake/shovel for cleaning. Because most of the poo will be under the roost bars.

 

[Mrs Fryzzle]

Hi all, first post for me. I'm frazzled about how to remedy these issues...

I purchased a coop in prep for this new adventure of having backyard chickens. It's small at 8 x 12 with the coop being only 4 ft wide. My chicks are not ready to go into it yet but I'm trying to get it ready. I am already unhappy with the design of it but have to live with it now.

For one, there's a foot wide ledge all around the inside bottom of the run that leaves about a 4-5 foot square 8 inch deep scratching area in the middle. Weird. For some reason I didn't pay it any mind when I first looked at it. (dumb!) I can't imagine why the designer did that and am wondering if I shouldn't just fill the middle with dirt to make it level?? Any thoughts are appreciated.

For two, the nesting boxes are inside instead of outside and there is a very high perch directly over the boxes. I imagine this is going to create a big poop zone on top of the boxes. I can remove the perch but Imagine the birds will still want to stand on the boxes. Maybe put hard plastic on top of the boxes?

Bummed about this coop. Surely there's a way to solve some of these issues. There are roost issues but don't want to bombard you all right off the bat... TIA!!

OK? It may just be me, but I think you are in a good place! This can be a great chicken coop. It is just a little different than a typical square, but, I have seen these and the chickens have no problem with the place. I personally do not put food or water in with my chickens. They are fine this way, no worries. However, I do have a run that I let them out and into every morning, the food and water is always out there. This way no rodents, etc in the coop, no moisture in the coop either. The coop is just for bed, egging, and protection. Looking at your coop, I see that they can fly off to the side, long-wise. If you feel or see them having a problem I have seen descending roosts installed to help them jump down to a more manageable spot....Just grabs some felled branches or spare wood, ... and they'll use it well. The nest boxes are in a great space- lower than the roost bar and with the slanted roof where most poopies will just roll off- just some peel and stick/ linoleum stapled on it to preserve the wood- and its good. There seems to be lots of room for you to stand and a single track for you to clean, just reaching in and pulling out.... good! The lighting is great, love the windows.
The square in the simple run is that new- let grass grow- while protecting your girls from from-under-predators... like rats, etc. So when you can't let them 'in-to-the-out' they can be safe in there and still get some grass or whatever you want to grow through there. ( you could possibly enlarge or extend this run if you wanted, when you are ready. ) Lots of wonderful ideas from other posts.

It is beautiful! Be proud! Your second home is a coop, with some lovely ladies living in it!

 

[loyaleowyn]

OK? It may just be me, but I think you are in a good place! This can be a great chicken coop. It is just a little different than a typical square, but, I have seen these and the chickens have no problem with the place. I personally do not put food or water in with my chickens. They are fine this way, no worries. However, I do have a run that I let them out and into every morning, the food and water is always out there. This way no rodents, etc in the coop, no moisture in the coop either. The coop is just for bed, egging, and protection. Looking at your coop, I see that they can fly off to the side, long-wise. If you feel or see them having a problem I have seen descending roosts installed to help them jump down to a more manageable spot....Just grabs some felled branches or spare wood, ... and they'll use it well. The nest boxes are in a great space- lower than the roost bar and with the slanted roof where most poopies will just roll off- just some peel and stick/ linoleum stapled on it to preserve the wood- and its good. There seems to be lots of room for you to stand and a single track for you to clean, just reaching in and pulling out.... good! The lighting is great, love the windows.
The square in the simple run is that new- let grass grow- while protecting your girls from from-under-predators... like rats, etc. So when you can't let them 'in-to-the-out' they can be safe in there and still get some grass or whatever you want to grow through there. ( you could possibly enlarge or extend this run if you wanted, when you are ready. ) Lots of wonderful ideas from other posts.

It is beautiful! Be proud! Your second home is a coop, with some lovely ladies living in it!

Ahhhhh.... thank you so much for the encouraging words!!! I feel so much better about it all... bless you