Thoughts on coop construction

[User395221]

I'd be inclined to consider moving the coop over under the stairs. If you have the access door for cleaning on the "creek side", you don't have to cart the poo across the run. If you also put an access door in the run/mesh you can get the poo out straight to wherever you put it. If you put the nest box on the "house side", you'll still be able to access it from under the deck, and you can also have your door to the run under the deck as well, so you aren't having to walk all the way around to the "creek side" to go into the run. I'd make the roof slant to the outside as well. So, drainage to outside, poo access to outside (creek side - that would be the natural drainage route, wouldn't it, into the creek? Might as well "go with the flow"?)

 

[Isaac 0]

Great

@Spanishearl

 

[Spanishearl]

Great idea, thanks. I'll modify the coop to also allow me to open the entire front as two doors. As for that "extra" space, do you have anything that I can view that could help me understand how to better build something?

 

[aart]

Great idea, thanks. I'll modify the coop to also allow me to open the entire front as two doors. As for that "extra" space, do you have anything that I can view that could help me understand how to better build something?

There are many ways to provide integration space, and to manage integration.

Basically you need to provide same secure and weather proof environment as any coop and run,
adjacent (but separated by wire mesh) to main coop and/or run for the birds to get used to each other before coming into contact physically.

My coop is big enough that I can install a temporary wire and wooden wall,
with tiny doors to integrate chicks at about 4 weeks,
to split coop space and have a second separate run off that area.

....or it could be something as simple as a wire dog kennel modified to be protected from weather.

Read up on integration..... BYC advanced search>titles only>integration
This is good place to start reading:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/adding-to-your-flock