updating coop

[jam29]

Hello, everyone! I have had chickens for about 10 months or so and have loved it! I am thinking about redoing and updating my coop organization a bit as I have learned some things through my journey. I was just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for things they believe are "must-haves" in their coop? Also, just curious how you guys recommend your laying boxes? Mine don't seem to be cutting it lately, hence the wanting to rethink my current set up.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Alaskan]

wondering if anyone had any suggestions for things they believe are "must-haves" in their coop?

Where in the world are you located?

Super hot climate coops are best as wire boxes... few walls.

cold and snowy climate coops, i like lots of well sheltered ventilation, and roofed runs.

Actually, roofed runs are always great.
I am also a huge fan of poop shelves and huge coops.

Also, just curious how you guys recommend your laying boxes?

Eh... any old junk will do... cardboard boxes, totes, litter boxes, buckets, wood boxes...

What issues are you having?

 

[Sally PB]

Can you post some pictures of your current set up? How many birds? Giving your location helps too.

Are there particular issues that you'd like to address?

 

[3KillerBs]

You might find my coop renovation thread interesting -- maybe not so much for specific ideas as for my thought processes: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/renovating-the-little-monitor-roof-coop.1382615/

 

[Ridgerunner]

"must-haves" in their coop?

Nests, roosts, a door they can use, predator protection, and weather protection which includes ventilation. I don't know of any other "must-haves" and some of these can be negotiable depending on your climate, set-up, and management techniques.

"Nice-to-haves" will depend on your goals, climate, flock makeup, management techniques, and so many other things. I really like my brooder built into the main coop, my droppings boards, and my juvenile roost. I have three different areas I can use for a broody buster. I have a grow-out coop and a separate shelter where I can isolate chickens if I wish or to help with integration. I made a couple of my nests so I can lock a chicken in them if I wish, that has come in handy for different reasons. I keep a fishing net to catch big chickens and made a small net so I can catch chicks in the brooder I have trouble reaching. I keep a snake stick, gloves, and a pillow case down there so I can remove a non-poisonous snake if I need to. I have a rake I can clean with and a shovel that has come in handy when dealing with predators, mainly possum. My coop is built into the end of a large 12' x 60' shed so I have plenty of room to store things just outside the coop. I put in a frost-free hydrant in the immediate vicinity of the coop so water is easy. I have electricity to the coop, I put in a breaker box so I have separate circuits that are very safe to use. I keep a pen and pad down there so record keeping is easy. I don't consider any of these must-haves, but they are really nice.

how you guys recommend your laying boxes? Mine don't seem to be cutting it lately

What do yours look like and what issues are you having? I have no idea how to address such a broad question.