So here is our base model...

[Beccazon]

Been messing with this thing for 2 months. Changing plans. Scapping whole ideas. This is our fully functional coop and run...not including the separating wall to divide the ducks from the chickens which will be to the right of the roost and nesting box area that is not finished. Then the duck run will be on the right side of the chickens and have an entry near ground level for them to access their portion of the existing coop. I incorporated a couple temporary outdoor perches to see what they think and a stump for fun which they love! And yes, the front doors are closed at night lol. Nothing is plumb or level. Purposely. I honestly wanted it very hillbilly rustic lol. It has yet to be painted and made visually fun from the outside but...they are happy and have all they need...I think...for the time being. Nesting boxes next weekend. Duck area after that! I welcome pointers and opinions!

 

[Alaskan]

Looks like a great space!

 

[jthornton]

Nice space. If you put a 1x4 or 1x6 across the door on the inside you could put more wood chips in there and the chickens would not scratch it out as easy. I'm a little confused about the nest box roost area but I know nothing about ducks. Do the chickens make it up to the roost at night? If the lower box is the nest box you might add a board across the front to contain the nesting material you put in and a board for them to land on when they hop up.



JT

 

[Beccazon]

Yup they

Nice space. If you put a 1x4 or 1x6 across the door on the inside you could put more wood chips in there and the chickens would not scratch it out as easy. I'm a little confused about the nest box roost area but I know nothing about ducks. Do the chickens make it up to the roost at night? If the lower box is the nest box you might add a board across the front to contain the nesting material you put in and a board for them to land on when they hop up.

View attachment 1774943

JT

Yup they have a platform at the top of the ramp that is removable so I can scrape the poop board into a tote that goes there. They hop up to the roost from there. For the time being the nesting "box" is open at that end also since no one is old enough to lay yet. This weekend I will be adding the dividers and capping off that end so there are separate boxes. I am glad you brought up the board and posted that pic! I wondered if they would hop up that high or need a perch or board for in front of it. So I will include another ramp or scoot the existing one over and give them a platform along the front of the boxes once I finish it this weekend. I like the idea of a lip at the door to limit scratch-out. I will have to incorporate a little apron for entry over it. At least for now. The ducks are definitely not as agile as the chickens and would be stuck outside lol. Thank you!

 

[aart]

I'd just put a perch about 8" out in front of the bottom of the nests.
Your roost might be too close to wall?.....12" is good.
Might need to move it out and extend poop board so poops don't land on the nest perch.
Is your run roof slanted enough to shed water(might be an optical illusion)?
Might want a gutter on there to direct run off to the outside of run.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

It looks pretty good. I would put some netting or wire over the run to prevent airborne predators from dropping in. Also some HC skirting and along the sides to keep raccoons from reaching in and grabbing the birds.

 

[Beccazon]

I'd just put a perch about 8" out in front of the bottom of the nests.
Your roost might be too close to wall?.....12" is good.
Might need to move it out and extend poop board so poops don't land on the nest perch.
Is your run roof slanted enough to shed water(might be an optical illusion)?
Might want a gutter on there to direct run off to the outside of run.

Measured...14" from wall. Was sitting here wondering how far to place the perch in front of nests. 8" it shall be! Ty! Believe it or not, that darn porch roof is slanted 3". It will indeed be getting a rain gutter and as the ducks and there pond will be attached to the side of the chicken run, I HOPE to direct the runoff spout to the pond. Amazing how many times you can THINK you're done lmao

 

[Beccazon]

It looks pretty good. I would put some netting or wire over the run to prevent airborne predators from dropping in. Also some HC skirting and along the sides to keep raccoons from reaching in and grabbing the birds.

I have 1" chicken wire 24" high around the bottom of the run. And netting is coming. Especially since I have one very flighty brahma! Lol