Suggestions for coop build

[Heymac08]

Currently, we have a chicken enclosure/run that is 12’x6’x6’ that I feel is definitely not optimized to its potential. We inherited the run when we purchased the house and it I feel like the coop needs a lot of work if we want to have 6 chickens in there (currently only one hen right now).

Has anyone else worked with these dimensions before? We are extremely new to chickens so any suggestions would be truly appreciated. I’ve been scouring the forums and the internet for ideas, but I’m scared we may not be handy enough to do this, lol.

Thanks in advance for your help!


Attached are a couple pictures of the current space. There used to be two chickens living in here, but right now there is unfortunately only one

 

[AgnesGray]

Is that corner square area a dust bath? Grow frame? Looks like it has potential.

That is a nice space for 6 chickens. The main thing I'd want to be sure about is the security of the run against whatever predators you have in your area. If you have arial predators like hawks or owls, is it covered? Is it safe from digging predators if need be, like foxes, dogs, or raccoons?

The coop itself seems functional from what I can tell. Does it have good ventilation near the top and a draft-free place to sleep? Are you in a climate that gets freezing winters or hot summers? Some of what works or doesn't depends on climate of where you are.

I'm guessing that you're already aware that chickens don't do well alone and are flock animals. Do you have a way to add a few friends for your lone hen?

You're off to a great start with the setup that you have, I think.

 

[Heymac08]

Is that corner square area a dust bath? Grow frame? Looks like it has potential.

That is a nice space for 6 chickens. The main thing I'd want to be sure about is the security of the run against whatever predators you have in your area. If you have arial predators like hawks or owls, is it covered? Is it safe from digging predators if need be, like foxes, dogs, or raccoons?



The coop itself seems functional from what I can tell. Does it have good ventilation near the top and a draft-free place to sleep? Are you in a climate that gets freezing winters or hot summers? Some of what works or doesn't depends on climate of where you are.

I'm guessing that you're already aware that chickens don't do well alone and are flock animals. Do you have a way to add a few friends for your lone hen?

You're off to a great start with the setup that you have, I think.

The square part under the waterer is just a place for the water to fall I think. There’s a grate right under the waterer Bc I think since the waterer is automatically filled every morning, that the old owner made this so the run off could fall in there? I definitely think it’s a waste of space with that setup and would rather add something useful in that corner of perhaps figure out how to build/put a coop at the end of the run.

The floor is lined with some kind of metal grating (I’m assuming so predators can’t dig into the run), but the grating is showing and the chickens basically step on it. What would be the best thing to use to cover it up?

The whole enclosure is covered, so they are safe in the run and I usually let the chickens out to free range in the backyard during the day. We live in the suburbs of San Francisco, so I actually have yet to see anything other than an occasional opposum, rat, squirrel and domestic cat roaming around our backyard at night (or even when we drive around the neighborhood at night).

The ventilation in the coop is fine, there’s a small area that the two hens used to huddle in, but I’m not sure 6 chickens could fit in there.its basically just a roost right above where the nests are and there is no poop liner or flooring, so it could be rather drafty up there.

we live in California, so winters at night can hit maybe 32 degrees at the very low occasionally, then summers during a heat wave can hit 110. Those are extremes, but for any other given day, the temp stays around 50s-80’s.

The plan was to pick up 2 friends for my one hen this week. The pullets we looked at are about 7 weeks and coop ready, we just need to pick up a kennel today so they can live in there in the run for a little bit, so my super docile macan can familiarize herself with them.

The 3 other chickens I was hoping to get were silkies... I know some are really against mixing larger/smaller fowl, but I’ve also heard some people having no issue at all, so I’m a bit torn on what to do there.

 

[AgnesGray]

The square part under the waterer is just a place for the water to fall I think. There’s a grate right under the waterer Bc I think since the waterer is automatically filled every morning, that the old owner made this so the run off could fall in there? I definitely think it’s a waste of space with that setup and would rather add something useful in that corner of perhaps figure out how to build/put a coop at the end of the run.

The floor is lined with some kind of metal grating (I’m assuming so predators can’t dig into the run), but the grating is showing and the chickens basically step on it. What would be the best thing to use to cover it up?

The whole enclosure is covered, so they are safe in the run and I usually let the chickens out to free range in the backyard during the day. We live in the suburbs of San Francisco, so I actually have yet to see anything other than an occasional opposum, rat, squirrel and domestic cat roaming around our backyard at night (or even when we drive around the neighborhood at night).

The ventilation in the coop is fine, there’s a small area that the two hens used to huddle in, but I’m not sure 6 chickens could fit in there.its basically just a roost right above where the nests are and there is no poop liner or flooring, so it could be rather drafty up there.

we live in California, so winters at night can hit maybe 32 degrees at the very low occasionally, then summers during a heat wave can hit 110. Those are extremes, but for any other given day, the temp stays around 50s-80’s.

The plan was to pick up 2 friends for my one hen this week. The pullets we looked at are about 7 weeks and coop ready, we just need to pick up a kennel today so they can live in there in the run for a little bit, so my super docile macan can familiarize herself with them.

The 3 other chickens I was hoping to get were silkies... I know some are really against mixing larger/smaller fowl, but I’ve also heard some people having no issue at all, so I’m a bit torn on what to do there.

Well, as far as mixing breeds goes, my experience has been that their temperments matter more than their size. I have tiny silkies and jersey giants and my babies mingle with the grownups from about 3 weeks old and up. They all get along great for the most part. I do have one oddly psycho silkie that strikes fear in the other chickens hearts when she walks by and she's pint sized. Have also had a few easter egger roos that were a bit bonkers. For the most part if no one is threatening anyone else, they will likely all get along just fine once they get used to seeing each other's faces.

That looked like this kind of grow box... https://www.hawk-hill.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/hh_chicken_grazing_box_wide-900x675.jpg

As for covering the grating, I use woodchips. I did use sand briefly and that seemed to get too hot in the sun and probably needed a misting system to cool it down.

I am not overly creative myself so can't suggest any worthwhile layout changes, but there are some great coop build pages here on byc. If you would like to replace the coop itself or make changes to the run, there are so many great ideas that can be gleaned from those articles. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/small-coops.18/ You're at an advantage that you start off with a secure space. I'm sure it will come together.

 

[aart]

I feel like the coop needs a lot of work if we want to have 6 chickens in there

Yes, coop needs to be bigger....not sure if you can modify or need to build a new.
Some more pics of the coop, inside and out, would be most helpful for making suggestions.
Also.....
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!

 

[Alaskan]

basically just a roost right above where the nests are and there is no poop liner or flooring, so it could be rather drafty up there.

I would guess that drafty = great idea, since you live in San Francisco.

How long is that perch?

Hard to tell from the pictures the exact sizes.

So... general coop size? Run size?

Big wire boxes are actually great coops in hot climates... so yes, you might be able to better use the space if you take out the coop, put partial walls (like plantation shutters) on the back end of the run, and in that sheltered space put a perch, poop shelf, and a few nest boxes.

I can't tell if that run has only a wire roof or a solid roof... but if you take out the coop, you will need the run to have at least some solid roof.