Two Coops in a Run

[ChocolateMouse]

I suggest learning to use a couple power tools and building a 4x8 coop yourself. Since most lumber is 8' and plywood is 4x8 it's pretty easy to do!

 

[CluckerFamily]

I think combining the two coops is a great idea!
-To save on cutting, you could swing the smaller coop so that the door lines up with the side of the other coop. You could cut one new rectangular door to that side of the big coop so you get your foyer.
-I was trying to picture having the small coop door line up on the side of the big coop nesting box since you won't need all those nesting boxes. But I'm not sure of the measurements and if they line up nicely like this.
-You could have one coop with the nesting boxes and food/water while having the roosts in the other coop.

 

[BonNuit]

I suggest learning to use a couple power tools and building a 4x8 coop yourself. Since most lumber is 8' and plywood is 4x8 it's pretty easy to do!

Funny you should say that. I just bought three books to teach myself -- but truthfully, I don't think it's safe for me to try to a project of this much importance with so little background skill as a first time project. Ironically, I run a small construction/maintenance business -- I have a trusted contractor. Problem is that I pay FAIR wages (union level) -- and never expect anyone to do "favors". Three of my best workers have been struck down with covid-19; leaving me only one who is healthy enough to work. He is overwhelmed as it is. I will have to figure this out. I love my chickens -- so I have about a month and half to get this worked out, and I will. Trust me when I say, it isn't going to be pretty here in the home coop, however. The amount I spent in hardware cloth alone covering the chainlink pen was insane -- I can't imagine when I inform that we will need to replace $700 worth of coops that I stupidly bought being naive enough to think they'd suffice. LOL, oh well -- it has to be done. My chickens shouldn't pay for me being a dumba$$.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Another idea, instead of building big, you could build a small coop (small project) and this small coop could connect the two coops you already have. Then you can use one of the coops as your template.

 

[NatJ]

I suggest you start with the easiest thing:
put both coops inside the run and watch what happens.

My question is whether chickens that are used to being together, who coop together willingly and happily will even USE two separate coops -- or if I am wasting my time even trying to do that?

We can all make guesses, but it's really going to come down to what your chickens do--which is easiest to find out if you just give them a chance to do it

 

[BonNuit]

Just thinking out loud -- I am wondering if I could build UP -- if I built a base that has a larger footprint that I could then mount the two coops on TOP of (removing the existing floors) and using the existing doors or the smaller coop's nesting box hole to connect them together -- if I couldn't make a large enough coop to work. I am going to talk to my contractor to see if it's possible structurally -- because that may be a less expensive option to expand their area while using my existing coops and truly increasing their square footage to a realistic level.
At least it's something to consider.
If worse comes to worse, and I can't get something figured out before winter comes, I have found an acquaintance who is willing to take some of my hens from me. It would break my heart, but if necessary, I will do it. I just hope it doesn't come to that. I would really miss my girls. I can't get rid of Otis -- he would end up in a stew pot or freezer camp.

I also wanted to add that I REALLY APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S KNOWLEDGE and HELP with this -- even when it's not what I hoped to hear. Thank you.

 

[CluckerFamily]

You will still have the same problem of not having the correct square footage. Square footage doesn't include height, just the footage of the base. Volume includes the height.

 

[NatJ]

You will still have the same problem of not having the correct square footage. Square footage doesn't include height, just the footage of the base. Volume includes the height.

Square footage is floor space. If the floors are left IN the coops, but the coops are raised, then the chickens will have twice as much floor to hang out. But taking out the floors and raising the coops just increases height, not floor space.

 

[BonNuit]

Square footage is floor space. If the floors are left IN the coops, but the coops are raised, then the chickens will have twice as much floor to hang out. But taking the floors and raising the coops just increases height, not floor space.

Well, poop --- it was a thought. ---- Okay --- just spitballing here -- if I left the floors in -- and made a ladder up from the base level to the second level where the two coops were (I am thinking two levels so not to take too much room from the run too) -- would that work? Or is that just ridiculous? The roosting area would be the "top" levels, and the bottom level would be more or less just floor space -- maybe keep some food/water in there during especially bad winter weather? Dumb?

 

[CluckerFamily]

I personally think putting one coop on top of another is a lot of work. You have to cut the roof off of the biggest one, lay plywood over the top to create a sound structure. Put the small coop on top of that, cut a hole to allow your ladder idea.
I love the simple solutions and think cutting a hole in the side of the bigger coop to attach it to the smaller coop would be easier. It would take a maximum of 2 minutes to cut this rectangular hole.

*** Additional thought: you could cut the rectangular hole a little smaller. You could then use the wood that you just cut to make a simple hinged door that you can leave open plus if ever you need to use the separate coops later on in life like new members or as a brooder for new chicks.