Thinking about starting over

[Kaesi2020]

Hi everyone, we have a coop we built from scratch that was originally intended for four birds but we ended up with 6 (mixed breeds, 10 week old pullets now). Months of work and lots of money later, I am realizing how flawed it is and I am concerned about its lack of space. The actual coop area where they sleep (its closed off at night so they are stuck in there) has only 4 sq ft of space per bird. The birds I have already seem like they are cramped (the buff orpingtons are getting so big already, I also think the breeds I have are on the larger side?). From experience with that coop now, I also see how user unfriendly it is (harder to clean) and what a hot spot the run is in during the day (completely exposed to sunlight which would be good for our NY winters but tough in the summer like now). Overall, I'm just not happy with it.

When my pullets free range, they always gravitate under our back deck- its covered from sky predators, has plenty of dirt, grass, leaves, and they can roam through the trees in front of it if they want. I find myself wishing we had built the coop underneath the deck.

Has anyone built their coop/run under a deck before? Can you think of pros and cons for doing so? I'm really considering starting over and turning that area into their new home, using the current coop as temporary housing till it's done. Below are pics of the current coop and then pics of under the deck where I want to build. I'm willing to put time, effort, and money into the best home for them. It would certainly be more spacious. Here is a list of the pros and cons I can think of:

Pros: lots more space, shaded, closer to the house so easier access (there is actually a basement window we could find a way to make the food and water stations near), easier to navigate for cleaning

Cons: starting over! Time, money, etc.

 

[Shoshone]

Hi everyone, we have a coop we built from scratch that was originally intended for four birds but we ended up with 6 (mixed breeds, 10 week old pullets now). Months of work and lots of money later, I am realizing how flawed it is and I am concerned about its lack of space. The actual coop area where they sleep (its closed off at night so they are stuck in there) has only 4 sq ft of space per bird. The birds I have already seem like they are cramped (the buff orpingtons are getting so big already, I also think the breeds I have are on the larger side?). From experience with that coop now, I also see how user unfriendly it is (harder to clean) and what a hot spot the run is in during the day (completely exposed to sunlight which would be good for our NY winters but tough in the summer like now). Overall, I'm just not happy with it.

When my pullets free range, they always gravitate under our back deck- its covered from sky predators, has plenty of dirt, grass, leaves, and they can roam through the trees in front of it if they want. I find myself wishing we had built the coop underneath the deck.

Has anyone built their coop/run under a deck before? Can you think of pros and cons for doing so? I'm really considering starting over and turning that area into their new home, using the current coop as temporary housing till it's done. Below are pics of the current coop and then pics of under the deck where I want to build. I'm willing to put time, effort, and money into the best home for them. It would certainly be more spacious. Here is a list of the pros and cons I can think of:

Pros: lots more space, shaded, closer to the house so easier access (there is actually a basement window we could find a way to make the food and water stations near), easier to navigate for cleaning

Cons: starting over! Time, money, etc.

My thoughts... and I am a green rookie... but I think pretty well read perhaps.
your coop looks pretty nice. You show some good craftmanship.
It looks to need more ventilation. If you truly have 4 square feet per bird in there, that is the magic number everyone throws around. But you know if it seems too small.
Under the deck... If you can keep it very clean so as to keep the flies and odor away from your deck, then it could work. My wife would deep six that idea in a nanosecond.
Some ideas... You could:
Remodel your coop
Build a roof of some type over it for shade
Give away 2 chicks
Use it for storage and start over
Go under the deck.
Google “Simple small coops” I got some very good advice There.
I think you can find a way to make your coop work
I would relook at what you have already and make it work.
You are close to success!

 

[Mamatomany123]

I wouldnt. Your coop needs more ventilation but 4sq ft per bird is fine. Mine always run under our big tree when I let them free range. But I cant put their coop there because our city law says they have to be 50 ft from our home. I'm guessing if you were to put their coop there they would find another place to run to during their free ranging time.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

No, no, and NO. You will not want to be cleaning a chicken coop by bringing their droppings into your house through a basement window! Chickens are fowl, and their excrement can be exceedingly foul! Don't do it! Okay, I think I've made my opinion clear, lol.

 

[Kaesi2020]

After some great advice on here, I'm going to scratch the deck idea and try to improve the current coop. I'd still like to make it a bit bigger, improve the roosting bars, and improve ventilation.

 

[Shoshone]

After some great advice on here, I'm going to scratch the deck idea and try to improve the current coop. I'd still like to make it a bit bigger, improve the roosting bars, and improve ventilation.

You have the bones of a GREAT set up there! Get er done!

 

[3KillerBs]

It's hard to tell without detailed pictures in and out, but the easiest fix for your coop might be to raise the roof -- adding overhangs, with ventilation in the soffits and a ridge vent. Heat and ammonia both rise so it's critical to have ventilation at the top of the coop.

 

[Flockincrazy]

you have a great looking coop myself I go a little overboard with space for mine cause I know I won't be happy so I get more birds I currently have 36mixed chicks 6turkeys 8ducks and 6geese im building a separate coop for my turkies but they are currently all in one coop it is 86"×80"×6.5' with 10 nestboxes my husband jokes that they are space spoiled

 

[Kaesi2020]

you have a great looking coop myself I go a little overboard with space for mine cause I know I won't be happy so I get more birds I currently have 36mixed chicks 6turkeys 8ducks and 6geese im building a separate coop for my turkies but they are currently all in one coop it is 86"×80"×6.5' with 10 nestboxes my husband jokes that they are space spoiled

Thanks for posting! I love your spacious setup. Do you have anything insulated for the winter time? Or not needed? Do you have anything reinforcing the hardware cloth? Thanks!

 

[Flockincrazy]

Thanks for posting! I love your spacious setup. Do you have anything insulated for the winter time? Or not needed? Do you have anything reinforcing the hardware cloth? Thanks!

I have inserts for all 3 wired walls for winter and it is not hardware cloth it is 16guage 1/4×1/4in welded wire fencing we live by the Black River in Ohio so we have raccoons, possum, coyotes and fox so on top of the hot pepper trick i made sure i had good heavy-duty fencing