These girls baffle me

[legojenn]

Chickens always vote with their feet...

I'm trying to imagine how a chicken election would be managed. How would they campaign? What would chicken politicians campaign on? Mealworms? Egg quotas? Restricting new flock members? Free range time? Separating their coop from the other coops on the farm? How would they deal with an unpopular chicken PM/President?

 

[aart]

The size is 51 inch by 21 inch
There is enough room to pass

I was close with my guess.
Still tight quarters for multiple birds, especially if they weren't raised together.
Look forward to the pics of interior.

 

[Andy E 123]

Hi all before I dismantle this and start again. Here are the internal pics of the house
I might make it wider,
It’s only for 2-3 birds

 

[Andy E 123]

So before I dismantle and start again here are the pics of the inside
I have been told it’s too small too narrow too dark etc
It’s for 2-3 birds
The ramp leads up to the nesting box
What’s your thoughts please

 

[jthornton]

For standard size chickens you need at least 12" from the roost to the wall. The roost should be higher up than the nest box, if they are roosting on the top rungs of the ladders it's because it's higher than the coop.

This is the inside of my roost area which is the most secure part of the chicken complex.


When I first built it I based it off of some poor plans on the internet and it seems like most of the information you find on the net is based on being cute but not functional at all. So I had my nest boxes where the near roost is and a bit above it.

I built the feeder you see in this photo and installed it in my run while shortly after that learning about chicken stack up or how high things must be in relation to other things.


So then I built a roll out nest box and put it in the run so it would be lower than where they roosted at night. Of course I had to move the feeder to make room for the nest box and remove the nest box from the coop...


If you want to read my article on my coop design errors it may help.

Like my signature says it's Observe, Improvise and Adapt...

JT

 

[aart]

The coop is too tight for comfortable roosting.
It's not a bad configuration, except roost should be higher than nest, coop is just too narrow. I'm surprised they aren't sleeping in the nest.
Might fine for a few bantams, but not Large Fowl birds.

What is your climate?
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!

 

[TexasWineGuy]

For standard size chickens you need at least 12" from the roost to the wall. The roost should be higher up than the nest box, if they are roosting on the top rungs of the ladders it's because it's higher than the coop.

This is the inside of my roost area which is the most secure part of the chicken complex.
View attachment 1840612

When I first built it I based it off of some poor plans on the internet and it seems like most of the information you find on the net is based on being cute but not functional at all. So I had my nest boxes where the near roost is and a bit above it.

I built the feeder you see in this photo and installed it in my run while shortly after that learning about chicken stack up or how high things must be in relation to other things.
View attachment 1840621

So then I built a roll out nest box and put it in the run so it would be lower than where they roosted at night. Of course I had to move the feeder to make room for the nest box and remove the nest box from the coop...
View attachment 1840623

If you want to read my article on my coop design errors it may help.

Like my signature says it's Observe, Improvise and Adapt...

JT

JT,

Based on this post, the entire design of my new "kit" Coop/Run is garbage. Good thing I am working on a new Coop design. For everyone's info, the inside of my actual Coop is too small, too dark, has poor ventilation, and the roost bars in the Coop are the exact same height as the nest boxes. Thus far, my young hens (~5 mo's) have not gone into the coop other than going to the top of the ramp to take a peek. I have work to do...

Some pics below.
TWG



JT, am I reading your post correctly?

TWG

 

[jthornton]

JT, am I reading your post correctly?

I think your getting a handle on it now. A good read is @aart Coop Stack-up - how high should stuff be.

A few things I see right off besides the stack up problems is how do you get inside there to clean and rescue a sick or injured hen? If the whole thing is predator proof, the roosting area could be open for better ventilation.

I'm guessing from the handles that it is a portable coop/run?

Is the top photo from the side with a big door open?

It does look very well built I must say.

We probably should not be hijacking the OP's thread to talk about your coop.

JT

 

[TexasWineGuy]

I think your getting a handle on it now. A good read is @aart Coop Stack-up - how high should stuff be.

A few things I see right off besides the stack up problems is how do you get inside there to clean and rescue a sick or injured hen? There is also a large door on the very back that looks in and down on the actual nests. Very easy to access the nests. However, that door does have a small vent, but it too is substandard. If the whole thing is predator proof, the roosting area could be open for better ventilation.

I'm guessing from the handles that it is a portable coop/run? That's the intention, to get them some fresh grass and a clean spot.

Is the top photo from the side with a big door open? Yes. Currently that door has no ventilation. I plan to make most of that door open with 1/2" hardware wire.

It does look very well built I must say.

We probably should not be hijacking the OP's thread to talk about your coop.

JT

No intention to hijack, but I do think y my questions will help the OP, and myself, learn more of what needs to be done design wise. See above for my replies in red.

OP, hope you are okay with a few questions in your thread.

TWG

 

[Andy E 123]

No probs at all

No intention to hijack, but I do think y my questions will help the OP, and myself, learn more of what needs to be done design wise. See above for my replies in red.

OP, hope you are okay with a few questions in your thread.

TWG