TSC Coop/run modification/design thoughts?

[L2fly]

I'd get the closable one and add HC to it also.
You could put a more open vent on pop door wall up under roof.

Do you have an HC apron all around the bottom of coop/run to prevent digging in?
That would do more for predator proofing than a motion light.

Sounds do-able! (Just when I thought I was done... lol!)

There is a gap at the peak of the roof above the pop door, right where the roof meets the run, about 4-5 inches long, 2-3 inches tall, if I remember correctly, that should help vent the top.

Yes, I have a 1/4 inch HC apron attached to the bottom 4x4s all the way around the coop, between 12-18 inches wide. I also reinforced the HC with heavier staples and 1/2inch screws & washers.

Always open to more suggestions! I only have three, & I want them to be safe!

 

[L2fly]

I plan to add a motion detector sprinklers pointed away from the coop and into predator faces.

Motion detector sprinklers? I didn't even know they made those, awesome! Will they need to be attached to a hose?

 

[Penguino1]

I'd get the closable one and add HC to it also.
You could put a more open vent on pop door wall up under roof.

Do you have an HC apron all around the bottom of coop/run to prevent digging in?
That would do more for predator proofing than a motion light.

Seconded. And I would never recommend one nesting box for any size flock. If any one of your hens decides to go broody, your laying hens will have nowhere to put their eggs.

 

[aart]

Quote: With a coop that small....you'd put any broody in a broody breaker crate pronto ;-)

 

[L2fly]

With a coop that small....you'd put any broody in a broody breaker crate pronto ;-)

Ok, my chicken-speak is still pretty new, but I think what is being said is, what happens if I have three chickens, one nest box, then suddenly one hen decides she REALLY wants to sit on her egg, and won't move? (aka, 'goes broody')

And the reply was, if any hen in my small coop went broody, I'd have to move her into a separate crate quickly... a quick search determined a 'broody breaker' appears to be a wire crate, for 3-5 days, where she can't sit and snuggle her bottom into anything, to break her of her habit/instinct to sit and hatch her eggs.

Do I have it right?

My only question is, why does the size of the coop make it more important to get her into the broody breaker crate, other than the fact she'd be hogging the single nest? Do they get angry with the other chickens when they get broody?

 

[aart]

Quote: Yes, you have it right.

You don't have room for more chickens so no hatching for you!

But ya know, once you build nice large walk in coop with plenty of room for everything, that tiny TSC coop will make a great broody coop!

 

[L2fly]

Yes, you have it right.

You don't have room for more chickens so no hatching for you!

But ya know, once you build nice large walk in coop with plenty of room for everything, that tiny TSC coop will make a great broody coop!

Yup, once I get my dream retirement mini-ranch in Texas! ;-)

 

[L2fly]

I'd get the closable one and add HC to it also.
You could put a more open vent on pop door wall up under roof.

Actually now that I'm home, I see that the entire front, over the pop door, is offset from the top trim, creating an open soffet kind of deal along the entire front of the coop. That should help with ventilation! Here's a photo looking up:

 

[aart]

Quote: Is that actually fully open into the coop tho?
As hot as it can get there, you may want it even more open.
If run is predator proof, might take out that whole wall

something to think about if it gets too hot in there.

 

[donaltman3]

I think you will be just fine without adding that huge cut out. The offset front above the pop door and your pop door itself is wide open.. along with the one side that can open up with the hardware cloth for ventilation should be enough.. but if you want more I'd just run to the local hardware store and get some of these.
They are aluminum house vents.. they come in multiple sizes and are super cheap.. the better ones also have bug screens behind the vent slots. This pictures is of 2 inch and is sold in a 6 pack for a little over 5 bucks.