What would you have done differently?

[Willowspirit]

I would have coordinated my extra coops better. I have smallish temp coops and two large indoor coops. My husband is unenthusiastic ly modifying the big coops. They are large but hard to get in to clean and they are darker than i would like. We inherited them and they seemed like a good idea but now, not so much.

 

[Aunt Angus]

there is no foundation under the building.

ME, TOO. I honestly didn't know how to put one in. I could have used pavers, I suppose. What I did was dig a bit of earth and filled it with gravel in hopes it would drain. I set the coop on top of that. The one thing I did do was to coat the plywood floor with waterproofing compound. That stuff is great! I can only hope it's helped. Live and learn....

 

[Aunt Angus]

I would have insulated all of the roofs

Yep to this one, too. My coop has a metal roof. It's fine in cool weather, but it gets hot in summer.

 

[chrissynemetz]

I would have painted the interior, definitely more windows and better ventilation. And of course.... much much bigger

 

[Aunt Angus]

WAIT WAIT WAIT!

I know the BIGGEST mistake I made...


Not having someone who knows what the $&%! they are doing build it for me!

 

[wamtazlady]

I am pleased with my coop. It is 6' by 8' raised 2 feet above the ground. It houses 6 hens and 1 rooster who is allowed to live there as long as he behaves. Run is 8' by 12' and I do wish the run were larger, thinking double that size would have been nice.

 

[Killlakilljoys]

wow, seems like the shed im converting already solved most of my would-be problems; it even came with insulation, a light bulb, and electricity! ill count myself blessed.

Note to self: build a pocket dimension in the coop.

 

[aart]

Only regret I have is that it's not bigger, and only so isolation section could be bigger.
Oh...ETA...wish run had a solid roof.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/

 

[moniquem]

This is only my second spring with my chickens, I've learned a lot on the way. Heres what I would have done different:

1. Make sure that I selected the right location for coop and run. I just paid some kids to move the heavy thing across the yard. Its a bit shadier for the summer time and I can section it off so chickens don't eat my veggie garden this spring.

2. Bigger coop from the start. Not just due to chicken math either. Over the winter we get lots of snow and they spent a lot of time in their 4x4 coop. Even though there are only 3 chickens it was tight. If I ever want more chickens, and who doesn't, I will have to build bigger sooner.

3. Don't try to negotiate with a bully bird, get rid of it straight away, every one will be happier. Its just not worth it.

 

[chicksandchores]

Poop boards... much, MUCH bigger coop... a real floor instead of an earth one... wood instead of metal on the walls... insulation... pretty much I’d throw the whole thing away and completely start over if I had the funds, space, and time, but this coop was free (scraps from my dad’s work - he’s a contractor) so there’s no change here coming in the near future!