Updating Chicken coop

[Aidenous]

We moved to the country just over a month ago and the previous owner left their 17 chickens. The chicken coop looked impressive at first but we are new to chickens.

After we got settled in I started seeing some things that might need changing. First the floors are dirt so I’m thinking wood floor with vinyl or linoleum to make it much easier to clean. It’s also a little low and part of it stays damp so a floor would raise it up.

Next it has chicken wire and I’m thinking of changing to hardware cloth although I’m not sure of gauge and size. The yard is fenced approximately 5’ high and they free range during the day and are locked in at night.

3rd thing is it stays muddy outside the front and I’m thinking of using a couple rows of pavers. With the cold weather I don’t like to see them gettting their feet wet and muddy.

Last thing I’d like to get an opinion on is this coop has two front entrances and is divided by chicken wire. I’m thinking of taking the wire out and making it one large area. This would cut out having multiple feeders and water taking space. I’ve attached a couple of picks. The inside pic was right after moving I have since added a feeder and waterer as the owner took them. Sorry for the long post. Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[aart]

That's a nice looking coop and run.
Does the coop itself, the middle closed in part, have a dirt floor too?
Pics, and dimensions, of inside coop would help.

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[Melky]

Spacing guidelines should be 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq ft per bird in the run. Hardware cloth should be at least 19 g 1/2 inch. Good choice as most predator proof. Nice coop and I like the rest of your choices. Have fun!

 

[imnukensc]

That is a nice looking coop and run. It doesn't appear from the pictures that the coop itself has a dirt floor. If it is actually a dirt floor in the coop, then adding a wooden floor with vinyl, linoleum, or just good exterior deck paint would probably be a good idea. If you are talking about a dirt floor in the run, I would leave it dirt although you very may well want to do deep litter in the run.

I would replace the chicken wire. Most folks here recommend HWC, but I'm not one of them. I would use 1/2 x 1 inch welded wire (often called cage wire) because it is heavier gauge and easier to work with than HWC.

 

[Cyprus]

That is a nice looking coop and run. It doesn't appear from the pictures that the coop itself has a dirt floor. If it is actually a dirt floor in the coop, then adding a wooden floor with vinyl, linoleum, or just good exterior deck paint would probably be a good idea. If you are talking about a dirt floor in the run, I would leave it dirt although you very may well want to do deep litter in the run.

I would replace the chicken wire. Most folks here recommend HWC, but I'm not one of them. I would use 1/2 x 1 inch welded wire (often called cage wire) because it is heavier gauge and easier to work with than HWC.

x2
I've had welded wire up for 6 years and nothing has broken it or even tried it.
Mesh, on the other hand...
(Which I know is not the same as HC)

 

[aart]

Spacing guidelines should be 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq ft per bird in the run.

Read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need
and start sharing it instead of the 4/10 thing.

Mesh, on the other hand...
(Which I know is not the same as HC)

Well, 'mesh' and 'welded wire' can mean all kinds of things, stating wire gauge and spacing is best.

 

[Cyprus]

Read this:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need
and start sharing it instead of the 4/10 thing.

Well, 'mesh' and 'welded wire' can mean all kinds of things, stating wire gauge and spacing is best.

'Mesh' for me means avian netting.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

I love my dirt floor

Gary

 

[aart]

'Mesh' for me means avian netting.

'Avian netting' comes in many sizes and materials.
Non-metal netting is very hard to describe,
there are so many products a link is needed to be clear.
Sorry, industrial designer here, specifications are important....even with chicken stuff.

 

[imnukensc]

I love my dirt floor

Gary

Nothing at all wrong with a dirt floor in a coop when it is built like yours, but the coop in question is obviously not.