Vertical Dimensions for Roosting Bar/Nesting Box Advice Needed

[BonnieBlue]

I just got the shed I had designed and built finished, and now I need to start the interior build out. I have all of my layout done, except for a few vertical dimensions.

The coop is walk in, but the walls are not terribly high because it is actually under the overhang that comes off of a barn. I figured between sun/heat (metal roof on coop so it won't be absorbing a lot of sun heat even tho it is also white) and extra storm protection actually under the overhang would be good. The run is under the rest of the overhang, which will give me a 16x60 run. But I digress.

On the interior, because my side walls are a bit lower, the windows for ventilation are only 38" from the coop floor, so I need to lower all of the vertical dimensions.

Question 1: The poopboard is 30 inches wide. The roost center is 12 inches from the front, 18 inches from the back wall to hopefully give extra clearance for poop splatters. How much lower than the bottom of the windows do I need to go to avoid (as much as possible) with my roost bar? Is 8" enough? Will that hopefully keep poop from flying into the windows? I am hoping the extra depth will help, so not sure on the vertical distance.

Question 2: Because of the lowered poop board, my nesting box will need to be lower. I don't want it on the floor low, and I know I will be bending over, but I am planning on getting old with this coop. Is 4" vertical distance between the floor of the nesting box and poop board ok? Is 12 inches vertical distance between nesting box floor and the roost enough height distance to deter hens from sleeping in a nesting box?

My primary concern was ventilation so I wanted windows (even lower ones, in addition to vents and the exhaust fans I will have. But that is making the vertical layout challenging.

Right now I have 2 Easter Eggers. Next up will be New Hampshires. Not sure what will come after that, but they will all be in the 5-7 pound range. No bantys and no large breeds.

Any advice would be appreciated since I am going to start the interior build soon.

 

[Intuit]

What's the sq ft of the coop? How tall are the walls? Do you have windows on more than one wall? A diagram may help with your project dimensions

 

[BonnieBlue]

What's the sq ft of the coop? How tall are the walls? Do you have windows on more than one wall? A diagram may help with your project dimensions

The walls are 6.5 ft, and with the framing of the 2x3 windows, they are 38 inches above the floor. The windows (if I go with current vertical dimensions of roost, etc) will be 8 inches over the roosting bar. The peak of the roof will have an exhaust fan in, and an exhaust fan out. Here is a basic diagram of the layout. I hope it makes sense.

 

[Intuit]

The walls are 6.5 ft, and with the framing of the 2x3 windows, they are 38 inches above the floor. The windows (if I go with current vertical dimensions of roost, etc) will be 8 inches over the roosting bar. The peak of the roof will have an exhaust fan in, and an exhaust fan out. Here is a basic diagram of the layout. I hope it makes sense.

Given the dimensions and location of the windows along with the fact that chickens like to roost as high as possible i would place the roots 2 inches below the windows. You may still experience some poop on the windows although I wouldn't expect much.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

Given the dimensions and location of the windows along with the fact that chickens like to roost as high as possible i would place the roots 2 inches below the windows. You may still experience some poop on the windows although I wouldn't expect much.

I'd worry about drafts blowing directly on the chickens at night, unless you'd only be opening the windows on the hottest of nights. I definitely wouldn't do it if these windows were permanently open for year-round ventilation.