TSC Coop/run modification/design thoughts?

[donrae]

I would suggest not covering the floor of the run with hardware cloth, this will inhibit them from scratching. Scratching is a pretty vital behavior for chickens. Unless you plan to really pile on the litter. Otherwise, I'd spread that hardware cloth, or even plain ol' chicken wire, in an apron 18 inches around the base of the coop. That will deter pretty much any digging predator, be easier on the budget, and still give your birds access to the ground to scratch and dust bathe.

 

[L2fly]

@donrae
I was wondering about that, thanks!

 

[LadySkyline]

I bought this exact same coop! I decided to keep more birds, so I'm converting my garden shed into a chicken/ duck coop. But I am keeping the enclosed nesting box section and using it in my design for the new coop. It looked like the best coop for the money and I was all about it, until I chose to keep more than my original 5 birds. Haha. Best of luck with your new chickens! <3

 

[aart]

Looks pretty good!

This is one of the best prefab coop mods I've seen:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1134399/help-hens-roosting-in-nest-boxes/10#post_17749535

 

[donaltman3]

I have a question and not found any answer after searching and writing the people at TSC. I purchased this same coop (but haven't built it yet) Looking at the pictures and then the corner of the yard I want to put this in, the doors and window will be facing my fence.

Are the side panels interchangable? Could I just flip the left and right sides of the coop when I construct them so the main door/windows face other way?

If I built it as the picture shows and then just rotate the whole coop the nest area doors will be against my corner fence as well. so I am hoping I could just build it with the sides opposite of how they are pictured.

 

[L2fly]

I have a question and not found any answer after searching and writing the people at TSC. I purchased this same coop (but haven't built it yet) Looking at the pictures and then the corner of the yard I want to put this in, the doors and window will be facing my fence.

Are the side panels interchangable? Could I just flip the left and right sides of the coop when I construct them so the main door/windows face other way?

If I built it as the picture shows and then just rotate the whole coop the nest area doors will be against my corner fence as well. so I am hoping I could just build it with the sides opposite of how they are pictured.

I'm playing a little visualization game in my head here, and I think it would be more trouble that its worth, the side panels of the coop support the inside removable tray and nest boxes, and those would end up flipped, so you'd lose the use of the tray (it would end up under next boxes rather than under roost) and have to rebuild the nest boxes to be at the end. And you'd probably have to pre-drill a lot of holes as things wouldn't line up. Doable with a lot of mods, I suppose, but with all that, you might as well build a coop from scratch.



Here's a peek inside (a little different, I'm working on my own modifications) but you can see the front of the nest boxes slide in the grove on the walls, the tray fits in its slot, etc. If you flipped it the tray would be in the back, the grove for nest boxes in front...

 

[L2fly]

I bought this exact same coop! I decided to keep more birds, so I'm converting my garden shed into a chicken/ duck coop. But I am keeping the enclosed nesting box section and using it in my design for the new coop. It looked like the best coop for the money and I was all about it, until I chose to keep more than my original 5 birds. Haha. Best of luck with your new chickens! <3

Thanks! And you with yours! Wish I had space for more, but I'm trying to avoid the pitfalls of 'chicken math'!

 

[donaltman3]

thanks for the bad news..ha. It will be fine I'll figure it out.

 

[donaltman3]

After looking at it.. I think I can remove just the side panels top board. (one singular screw holds it in place) flip it on each side panel.this should allow me to move the run door to the other side without needing any more modification. This will be very easily done before assembling.

I can already tell that I will need to use my hardware stapler and put some real 16 guage galanized staples in to secure the hardware cloth screens.
I also plan to repaint with good exterior paint before assembeling anything.

I think I will follow the advice on this post and only put in one or two of the nest boxes instead of 3. I plan to have 4 hens if everything turns out the way I imagine... still need to do some reading to figure out if one box will be enough.


I also have a question about the way the box door let down... why is this? It would seem falling down and open would not be a good thing... why aren't the door lift up that way if the latch fails or your kids don't shut the door properly atleast hangs shut...instead of hanging wide open? Is there a reason the box doors open down?

 

[Yaychicks]

I highly prefer when theyopen this way (rather than roof) since kids and short people like me can use them.

Opening down prevents litter/eggs/whatever the chickens shove up against it from falling out.