Would a multi-tier (multi-floor) shed work as a coop?

[kevinhannan]

Even though I've only had ex-bats for a short while,
I'm thinking of upgrading their coop to cope with future expansion.

Right now, I have a fully-kitted out shed (made from pallets)
that is 4m wide x 3m deep and 2.5m high and there's 10 ex-bats.
There's also a very big run, prob 3 times the shed - and that's also
set to expand.

Then I thought, why don't I have a multi-tier shed? Pretty much,
to have a void in the centre to allow access and light all round and
then a "mezzanine" floor at least 1.5m in depth all round with steps
for the girls to go up and down.

Other than the nightmare of cleaning, would a mutli-tier shed work?
(Access to the outside run would be via one of two pop-holes.)

Thanks for reading me and your time to reply.

 

[Kaitie09]

Unless you lock them in the coop all winter, they hardly spend time in the coop except to sleep and lay eggs. It seems like a lot of work to clean. You could just add windows to the very top, all around the coop. That would add super sunlight to the coop, without the mess. Also, they would try to roost there if it is higher than the roosting bars, and that would cause even more of a mess.

I think you could build a 2-tiered run and that would be used more. You could use hardware cloth and framing to create a skywalk above the ground. You would have to add ramps so they could get up to it, but I think it would be cleaner. If you used the hardware cloth or another thick, small metal, they could walk on it fine, but it would allow the poo to go through. Even if the poo does not go through in the first place, the first rain would wash it away (if the top is not roofed).

 

[kevinhannan]

Hello Kaitie09!
Ahhhh.... now that's why this forum is soooo gooood! It's got great peeps
like you with the voice of experience (and reason) - and no, I'm not trying to
flatter you - your post made me smile and so thank you for your time to reply.

You know, it's a funny thing, my ex-bats don't know how to be hens yet,
but I'm sure they will in time... they spend so much more time in the coop
than the run despite the pop-door being open 24/7 and it's summer!
That's why I was thinking the way I was.... but your reply of a double run
sounds just *so* appealing! I think I need to digest this and reflect a
while.

Thank you ever so much for your reply, Kaitie09, it's done me the world of good!