To lay or just to poop?

[aart]

I'm guessing we're gonna see one of those prefab coops...
...so I'll just put this out there now:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

 

[Missusg]

Thanks for all the replies! I will get some dimensions to you all in a later reply but for now your responses are confirming my suspicions about a few things.....some details

1) I believe the coop is too small
2) Yes, it's a pre-fab house above a really small enclosure with an extended run that my husband built.
3) the 2 roost bars are on the same level as the nesting boxes and are quite small and close together.
4) they are sleeping and pooping in the nesting boxes and adjacent teeny, tiny roosting area
5) during the day we let them out of the run into a larger area
6) they put themselves to bed (I thought this was a good thing but now I'm not so sure)

My husband jacked up his shoulder and will not be able to make any modifications for some time! I'm wondering if I shouldn't get another something pre-fab and turn the current "house" into just a nesting area. Thoughts?

We bought them as chicks in late April and I'm guessing they are about 20-22 weeks old. I don't know off the top of my head what kind they are (I'm afraid if I leave this reply and go search another thread, I'll lose this) my recollections is: leghorn, red sexlink, wyandotte and black sexlink.

I'll upload a few pictures I do have right now to see if that helps anyone.

Annnnnnnd.....(drumroll, please) guess what was in one of the nesting boxes today!

-Karen

 

[New2Chicks97]

Congrats on your first egg! You might be able to move the roosts so that they are a bit higher in the coop. I moved the roosts in our coop on my own without my husband’s help. Of course I don’t mind using the air compressor and nail gun or the drill. It just takes attaching new cleats (wood supports) to the side walls for the wooden roost to sit upon.

My next step for our existing coop is to sand and attach a 1x3 to the narrow roost that is there now so they have a more comfortable place to roost. As that coop may end up being for my daughter’s show chickens or a brooder coop in the future.

 

[Missusg]

Congrats on your first egg! You might be able to move the roosts so that they are a bit higher in the coop. I moved the roosts in our coop on my own without my husband’s help. Of course I don’t mind using the air compressor and nail gun or the drill. It just takes attaching new cleats (wood supports) to the side walls for the wooden roost to sit upon.

My next step for our existing coop is to sand and attach a 1x3 to the narrow roost that is there now so they have a more comfortable place to roost. As that coop may end up being for my daughter’s show chickens or a brooder coop in the future.

We're looking at easy options for expanding. Ordinarily I wouldn't shy away from construction either but school just started again and I need to devote my time to lesson plans and such! The girls will have to get a quick fix this time!