What to do for my coop?

[Capto Veritas]

I have 2 hens and a small coop. I have a slide out tray that goes here, on top of the metal bars:

It is not there right now. I want to know if I should put chicken wire/keep it open where the black supports are instead of putting the black tray in. If I do that I could add more roosts. Would there be more ventilation? Should I do that or put the tray back in?

 

[3KillerBs]

@3KillerBs

That's one of those little Producer's Pride coops, right?

Leaving the tray out would probably improve both the ventilation and the elbow room.

Chickens don't stack for storage so vertical space is *usually* mainly a consideration for getting the ventilation in the right place, but it looks like it might be a squeeze for the hens to get under the roost to access the nests. I wouldn't put any floor in there at all.

Instead, put extra wire around the outside to improve the security of the entire structure.

IIRC, your coop is in a sheltered place that doesn't get strong winds, right?

North Georgia mountains might get a little colder a winter than I do, but the roost area should be sufficiently sheltered. If necessary you could put a windbreak outside the wire if you find that blowing rain/snow is causing trouble.

 

[Capto Veritas]

@aart

 

[Capto Veritas]

@3KillerBs

 

[Capto Veritas]

That's one of those little Producer's Pride coops, right?

Leaving the tray out would probably improve both the ventilation and the elbow room.

Chickens don't stack for storage so vertical space is *usually* mainly a consideration for getting the ventilation in the right place, but it looks like it might be a squeeze for the hens to get under the roost to access the nests. I wouldn't put any floor in there at all.

Instead, put extra wire around the outside to improve the security of the entire structure.

IIRC, your coop is in a sheltered place that doesn't get strong winds, right?

North Georgia mountains might get a little colder a winter than I do, but the roost area should be sufficiently sheltered. If necessary you could put a windbreak outside the wire if you find that blowing rain/snow is causing trouble.

Yep! Thank you! It is one of those coops.

 

[Capto Veritas]

What about for the winter though? I live around 400 Atlanta area.

 

[3KillerBs]

What about for the winter though? I live around 400 Atlanta area.

How often do you get measurable snow?

If you're like me, with some years never getting more than a dusting and maybe getting 3 snowfalls in 2 years most of the time they don't need to be enclosed, just protected from wind that could ruffle their feathers.

 

[3KillerBs]

Won’t they get cold?

Chickens wear built-in down parkas. We keep them dry and out of the wind, they keep themselves warm. A dry chicken that is out of the wind usually has no problems until it gets below 0F for an extended time.

Also, should I replace the metal rods with wooden roosts since I will leave it exposed?

Are they part of the structure and/or bracing? I'd be leery of removing any of what might keep the coop from warping.

Very rare. Once a year of lucky.

Even less than I do then. No worries.

If you get an extreme storm you can pile a few straw bales around the windward side.

 

[Capto Veritas]

Chickens wear built-in down parkas. We keep them dry and out of the wind, they keep themselves warm. A dry chicken that is out of the wind usually has no problems until it gets below 0F for an extended time.



Are they part of the structure and/or bracing? I'd be leery of removing any of what might keep the coop from warping.



Even less than I do then. No worries.

If you get an extreme storm you can pile a few straw bales around the windward side.

Okay thank you! One more question. Can I turn these braces into roosting bars? (The braces are the black poles on either side of the coop where my food/water is hanging)

 

[3KillerBs]

Okay thank you! One more question. Can I turn these braces into roosting bars? (The braces are the black poles on either side of the coop where my food/water is hanging)

They're pretty thin to be comfortable as roosts, though your chickens may choose to sit on them anyway.

Chickens often seem to roost on varied perches in the daytime, but prefer the highest roost at night.