Thoughts on this coop?

[ssramage]

Ran across these coops on Facebook yesterday. Look to be well built, but I'm still fairly new to chickens. I do know that my current coop is not sustainable and would require some modifications to make it work any longer.

I'm thinking of a 6x10' version with an extended roof. Hoping this will be good for 4-6 chickens. This coop would be in Southeast GA where it gets HOT. So far we haven't had issues with predators but I'd still reinforce the bottoms of the doors and around the bottom of the coop.

Thoughts?

 

[DobieLover]

Ran across these coops on Facebook yesterday. Look to be well built, but I'm still fairly new to chickens. I do know that my current coop is not sustainable and would require some modifications to make it work any longer.

I'm thinking of a 6x10' version with an extended roof. Hoping this will be good for 4-6 chickens. This coop would be in Southeast GA where it gets HOT. So far we haven't had issues with predators but I'd still reinforce the bottoms of the doors and around the bottom of the coop.

Thoughts?
View attachment 1636354 View attachment 1636355 View attachment 1636356 View attachment 1636357

Can you get an extended roof that is also pitched to drain water away?
The tin roof is installed sideways on this structure and I cannot see where it has any pitch to the roof at all.
With more substantial over hangs and a pitched roof that would keep the rain out.
I don't really care for the nest box arrangement as 1) there are too many so they are taking up space inside the coop, and 2) they are the highest spot inside the coop and the birds will roost there.
Can the coop be made with bump out boxes? And you'd really only need 2 nest boxes for a coop that size.
That would leave more maneuvering space inside for access on and off the roost.
How much are they asking for this coop/run?

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Nice looking coop. You should have plenty of space for 4 - 6 and maybe a few more. Whether you are concerned about predators or not I believe it is wise to put1/2 inch hardware cloth on the bottom. When I lived in NC years ago the only predator I encountered was a snake that got into the coop. So you never know.

 

[aart]

Looks sturdy...has 1/2" HC, so that's good, if it's attached well.

Agrees...
Is roof pitched?
ETA: and yes extended roof overhangs.
But wonders if they really know chickens.
Nests are too high.
Where's the roost...looks like nest perches are intended to be roosts?
Doors between coop and run is odd.

Might need more coop ventilation ....and keep it in the shade.

 

[RoosterML]

From the looks of it what is going to keep a driving rain from soaking your eggs and nesting boxes?

 

[Chicken crossing the road]

I agree with what’s been said, I’m just using “by eye” method of measurement and would say the run could be bigger also. I have 6 birds in a covered run space of 8x8 ( 64 square ft or ten square feet per bird) this will have to do for the winter but think I will add on a bit of open area to the run come spring.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Sorry, I missed the nesting boxes. Shouldn't they provide a bit more privacy for the ladies? I have 3 nesting boxes and the most popular one is the smallest and darkest. But it's still a sturdy looking coop.

 

[Acre4Me]

Good basic structure overall, and looks like it would be straightforward to build. 6x10 is good minimum size for 4-6 chickens.

1. Address roof, rain runoff. Extend the roof beyond the edges by a foot on all sides. This provides rain shelter and much needed shade. The roof should have some pitch. And make sure you pitch in the direction that would allow rain to flow away from the structure.

2. Lower nest boxes, and should only need 2 boxes for 4-6 birds. You can make them larger (18-20”) and then the hens may share a nest box or two because they can squeeze in..mine do this. You may want to consider making them a little more “private” and “safe” by extending sides up, or more fully enclosing them. Putting them on outside of structure is personal choice.

Good luck!

 

[Chicken crossing the road]

My preference was to put the nest box inside the building and outside of the coop

 

[ssramage]

THANK YOU for all of the feedback and replies.

This model is just a sample of one that I pulled from his previous builds.

Price on this coop is right at $1000 delivered/setup, so while not cheap, the quality appears to be higher than most that I've seen around here.

- He does build a model with a slanted roof. I'd request that with overhang and to orient the metal roofing in the direction of the slope.

- I noticed the same thing with the roost/nesting boxes. My thought would be to build a roost bar on one of the side walls to provide a higher space. Simple to do with some 2x4s...

- Privacy of the nesting boxes is a good thought. Maybe it would be worth removing all together and doing a couple makeshift nesting boxes lower on the wall? I've seen some done with milk crates that would be easy enough to do. Or add a bump out for the nesting box.