Texas Coop Build! Pic heavy!

[Molly Mojo]

I wanted to post my coop in case anyone else is looking for a hot weather coop design! The coop/open run is 280 sq ft, with an added mobile extension coming later on to give the chickens access to fresh grass and bugs. Here it goes! View attachment 2126821View attachment 2126823View attachment 2126824View attachment 2126825View attachment 2126826View attachment 2126827View attachment 2126829View attachment 2126830View attachment 2126831View attachment 2126832View attachment 2126833View attachment 2126834View attachment 2126836Hope y’all enjoyed!

Wow!!!!!

Super jealous!

Looks great.

 

[jlpierce45]

Wow, that is one impressive build.

I live in north Texas and wind up here can get pretty intense. How well will this coop handle that? Will the open air design with the wind bother the birds?

Thank you! We positioned the coop on our property to block the north wind in the winter. It just so happens that most of the wind we get comes from that direction so the birds are not bothered.

 

[jlpierce45]

It’s been a while since this coop was built and I’ve decided to update y’all. The chickens have 10 sq ft each in the coop, but since I can’t free range I decided they needed more space during the day. I added a temporary set up around the back of the coop with rebar, leftover hardware cloth, and bird netting. They get locked up in the coop/covered run portion at night. This set up in an additional 800 sq ft that gives the birds about 30 sq ft each. I am eventually going to replace the rebar posts with 4x4s and make the outside portion 6ft tall. On the inside, I’ve added a poop board and nesting boxes underneath as well as did some rearranging of the existing boxes. I am planning on cutting outdoor access to the nesting boxes in the future.

And on an ending note, here’s a couple of our first eggs!!

 

[jlpierce45]

Another update! I have decided to trash the outdoor run area and free range in my newly fenced in back yard. The neighbor dogs can’t get to them anymore, and they are much happier outside with the extra space. Since adding the poop boards and the extra nesting boxes at the back, we recently cut doors to allow outside access to the eggs. Also, I hung shade cloth which dramatically cools the coop.

I
I really think my chickens are happier being free range. Out of my 24, 6mo pullets, I’m getting 18-19 eggs a day which is very surprising in the brutal Texas heat. Being free range also allows them to find their own cool shade spots, which I think has helped a lot.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Cute doggos! Just having them around the flock should help ward off predators while they're free ranging.

 

[jlpierce45]

Cute doggos! Just having them around the flock should help ward off predators while they're free ranging.

Thank you! I also have a white Heeler mix that absolutely HATES birds flying over, so as long as she’s outside we shouldn’t have an aerial attack (fingers crossed).

 

[mlahodik]

Wow, This post is making me totally reconsider. You did such an amazing job. I am in hot and humid florida. loving this!

 

[mlahodik]

Thanks, we're hoping to finish ours in the next few days. Because of your post I decided to leave one side uncovered. Use the plywood on 3 sides and put HC above the plywood for ventilation. Do have more information on adding the Roost and poop board? Thinking about doing 2x3 for roosts. Not sure how to go about the poop board. I'm in Florida, 100 degrees in summer and mild winters. Super humid. Coop is on the top of my yard slope. Any help appreciated. Your coop is great!

 

[mlahodik]

Also forgot to ask you about what is that in your poop board? I'm trying to find easy cleaning.

 

[jlpierce45]

Also forgot to ask you about what is that in your poop board? I'm trying to find easy cleaning.

I have PDZ granules on my boards. This makes it really easy to scoop the poop out and wicks the moisture out of the poop to dry it faster. I get it from tractor supply for about $10 a bag. As for designing the roosts, you will need at least 1ft of roosting space per chicken, space each individual roost at least 1ft apart if you have multiple. You could also look into designing a U-shaped poop board and place nesting boxes underneath, a lot of people design them like that! 2x3’s would work, mine are 2x4’s but that is totally personal preference. Your coop looks amazing! You will love the air flow!