What should we do differently? Have our fist dead chicken.

[murrychicken]

The roosting bar looks like a ladder on the far side of this picture. What do you think?

 

[murrychicken]

The top area is really considered the 'coop' part and the outside caged in area is the 'run'.

Your actually coop might be too small/they might be too crowded in there.

Is there a roosting bar in there?
Did I miss that in the picture?

I agree coop needs more light and ventilation, while still being kept dry as possible inside. I prefer natural light which is most easily provided by windows, however a light on a timer or even a battery operated light you turn on and off will do if no other option.

Not sure how many birds you have or size of coop but you want to aim for 10% of sq ft or 1 sq ft per bird in ventilation. To deal with wind/rain, I aimed vents away from prevailing winds and used louvered covers facing towards winds. You have a covered run so you can open up quite a bit of the wall facing the run for both light and ventilation, as the roof will naturally provide weather protection.

What area of the world do you live in, @murrychicken? I live in the Midwest, and it is getting dark pretty early. Then on a dark rainy day it is even darker in there. You may have to leave the big door open till you lock them up around dark.

Yes that is good! Also in the Midwest. I added that to my profile.

 

[Kiki]

The roosting bar looks like a ladder on the far side of this picture. What do you think?

I can't see it too well.
Is it at a slant?
I think this might be part of your problem too.

Can you get a picture from a different angle?

One long piece of 2x4....the length of the whole area might be better.
It's ten feet long in the right?

 

[murrychicken]

I can't see it too well.
Is it at a slant?
I think this might be part of your problem too.

Can you get a picture from a different angle?

One long piece of 2x4....the length of the whole area might be better.
It's ten feet long in the right?

Yes it is on a slant. I will get a picture tomorrow. Is dark now. Yes is 10 feet long.

 

[Kiki]

Yes it is on a slant. I will get a picture tomorrow. Is dark now. Yes is 10 feet long.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I can't see it too well.
Is it at a slant?
I think this might be part of your problem too.

Can you get a picture from a different angle?

One long piece of 2x4....the length of the whole area might be better.
It's ten feet long in the right?

Kiki, I agree, I think that may be part of the problem. Coop is too dark as well. Outside ramp may need to be less steep too.

Nice looking coop, just needs a bit of tweaking

 

[Kiki]

The problem I am seeing with the ladder roost bar is there isn't enough room for them to climb up and get down.
Instead of short little bars that they can't get around each other to get up higher, if someone is sitting down low, one LONG bar would be much better.
If that doesn't make sense I can try to say it in a different way.

 

[murrychicken]

Kiki, I agree, I think that may be part of the problem. Coop is too dark as well. Outside ramp may need to be less steep too.

Nice looking coop, just needs a bit of tweaking
View attachment 1944895

View attachment 1944897

Thank you for saying that about our coop. We tried to make it all correctly for the chickens health, safety and happiness. We are going to change the roosting bar and open the door to the coop area so it is open to the run. Will give them light and more air.

 

[Kiki]

Thank you for saying that about our coop. We tried to make it all correctly for the chickens health, safety and happiness. We are going to change the roosting bar and open the door to the coop area so it is open to the run. Will give them light and more air.

I just made a video for you. It's uploading to Youtube now.
Give me a few minutes to get it posted here.

 

[murrychicken]

The problem I am seeing with the ladder roost bar is there isn't enough room for them to climb up and get down.
Instead of short little bars that they can't get around each other to get up higher, if someone is sitting down low, one LONG bar would be much better.
If that doesn't make sense I can try to say it in a different way.

We changed the roosting area to a bar and opened up the coop.