Working on a Winter Coop/Will I have enough ventilation?

[aart]

Window mesh look good.

Nests I find a bit confusing.
I see a kind of a perch/platform, that may or may not be navigable,
and a tote that I think has a cut out for an 'entrance'.
But why all the other bedding outside of the tote?
That very top space might turn in to a roost(place to sleep).

I would have put a 2x2 perch 8" away from front of nests.
Used 4 totes with 'entrances' cut in front, with a piece of wood(1x2) across front of shelf even with bottom of tote entrance for footing and to keep tote on shelf.
Block off top shelf to keep birds out, maybe hinged door for supplies in there.

 

[Hamiam]

Window mesh look good.

Nests I find a bit confusing.
I see a kind of a perch/platform, that may or may not be navigable,
and a tote that I think has a cut out for an 'entrance'.
But why all the other bedding outside of the tote?
That very top space might turn in to a roost(place to sleep).

I would have put a 2x2 perch 8" away from front of nests.
Used 4 totes with 'entrances' cut in front, with a piece of wood(1x2) across front of shelf even with bottom of tote entrance for footing and to keep tote on shelf.
Block off top shelf to keep birds out, maybe hinged door for supplies in there.

I see exactly what you mean. Ive never used plastic bins before & normally just have hay on a shelf. I'll modify. Thanks!

 

[LJoWilly]

Looking awesome. What is the overall size of your coop?

 

[aart]

I see exactly what you mean. Ive never used plastic bins before & normally just have hay on a shelf. I'll modify. Thanks!

Well, the totes can make things easier to clean up, but need to be stable so if they step on the edge the tote doesn't move too much or flip.

 

[Hamiam]

Looking awesome. What is the overall size of your coop?

8x5 floor space. 12 Hens. Only used dusk till dawn. I went ahead & put them in for the first time tonight. It will be in the 30's with a north wind.
While going into the metal chicken tractor to remove them & place them in the new wooden coop tonight, I could feel the difference in the comfort level. They didn't seem too happy with the change at first, but once it was dark, I looked in on them & they were all on the top roost huddled together. I know I'll sleep better! For now, I will keep the chicken tractor open & let them lay in that nesting box if they'd like. This is my first stationary coop since I was in high school. I have loved chicken tractors, until now. This latest one is a converted goat trailer, all metal. Fine for summer but seems brutal for winter.

 

[jthornton]

Does the back side open up to clean up the poop from the nightly deposit? If you have to go through that door and not be able to stand up cleaning will be a pain.

JT

 

[Hamiam]

Does the back side open up to clean up the poop from the nightly deposit? If you have to go through that door and not be able to stand up cleaning will be a pain.

JT

I've bumped my head a few times going thru the door, however, you can stand straight up once your inside. I will be able to fold the linoleum like a taco & slide it toward me & pull out to clean. Today will be my first day to clean. We will see how it goes...

 

[Hamiam]

So, we decided that the nest boxes took up too much floor space inside the coop & we attached it from the outside. The hens are only using the bottom shelf bin/nest & totally ignore the other two. I think I'll take @aart advice & put a door on the top shelf for storage. We are done! Yes, I see several things we could have done better. However, it will do fine for a winter coop in North Texas.