Your opinions on my coop please!

[rosemarythyme]

Worked for me on copy/paste? https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-clutter-and-coop-‘extras’.76527/

 

[Nadilli]

Hello everyone! I don't know if anyone is even watching this thread anymore, but here goes nothing!
I have selected the area for the new coop and run, the total footprint is going to be 92.5 feet sq, 11 ft x 8.4 ft, and I believe my posts are 4 feet so thats going to be the height. I am considering inclosing the premade coop as ThatTeowonna did in https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

So, my chickens are currently 5 total, 3 bantam silkies, 1 tiny gold seabright banty (my picture), and 1 small gold sexlink. All are about 16 weeks old now, and are not laying.

I was wondering if they would use a bucket of water? for like a bath, or should i stick with sand?
I am also ordering a shade cloth, to cover half of the run.

Let me know what you think, and PLEASE give me some advice if you think of something <3
Thank you!
*edit, they also get yard clippings when I mow, so I am thinking that they are wanting more room to play. I plan on making shelves, stairs, and whatnot for them to play on.
and planning on putting hardware cloth on the top parts of the coop for ventalation.

 

[Nadilli]

Yeah, I wasnt sure about the water, but it was an idea since its can get sooo hot here and wild birds like baths.
I will totally scrap that idea and put in a sand box for them!

 

[Nadilli]

How big is the bucket? For a dust bath chickens would generally prefer something low and wide, like an old tire, a children's sandbox, etc. - it's a social activity so they'd prefer if multiple birds could fit in at once, so they can all bathe together.
View attachment 2752349

Not sure on the children's play sand, as I don't use sand at all. I know people have a lot of opinions on what type of sand is best, so hopefully someone weighs in on that.


They will need help to deal with heat: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

As I generally don't get very hot weather, I'll put out "foot baths" for my chickens (large clay planter saucers filled with cool water) so they can soak their feet and cool down. The saucers are ideal for me because they're too heavy to flip over, are very shallow for safety, and offer good traction so birds don't slip when standing in it.

14 x 17 x 7 deep is the container that i was planning on using for a dust bath.

 

[Nadilli]

Just wanted to do an update: coop and run dimensions!
I am currently working on this and should be completed within a few days. Corner run posts will be concreted in, coop may be lifted on cinder blocks (haven’t completely decided yet), and predator netting and shade cloth on top. It will be double fenced from my dogs, about 3 feet from run.
Will be for 4 chickens, that’s all that is allowed due to my lot size in town. But may be just 3 due to one crowing the other day and no roosters allowed in town lol.
I will be adding a dust bath, 2 old wooden ladders, and tree branches to the run.

Your thoughts?

*** please excuse the crudeness of the drawing ***

 

[Iluveggers]

Just wanted to do an update: coop and run dimensions!
I am currently working on this and should be completed within a few days. Corner run posts will be concreted in, coop may be lifted on cinder blocks (haven’t completely decided yet), and predator netting and shade cloth on top. It will be double fenced from my dogs, about 3 feet from run.
Will be for 4 chickens, that’s all that is allowed due to my lot size in town. But may be just 3 due to one crowing the other day and no roosters allowed in town lol.
I will be adding a dust bath, 2 old wooden ladders, and tree branches to the run.

Your thoughts?

*** please excuse the crudeness of the drawing ***
View attachment 2763209

For 4 chickens, coop run dimensions work, & run will give them plenty of space.

 

[Nadilli]

Except for some finishing touches, it’s done!
Run is 9 x 7 1/2 feet (67sq), coop is 6 1/2 x 3 feet.
Finishing touches: bricks around rest of base, chicken wire on top in addition to the netting, staining vent holes with coffee(had a few oopsies), putting on shade cloth, putting branches in the ladder.
4 chickens, very happy!
Let me know what you think!!!
*I hope all the pictures upload!! <3

 

[BleuSaphir]

The extra run is highly appreciated for the chickens!

 

[Nadilli]

Upgrade Photo dump!
Made some upgrades and modifications, so posting pictures.
Added a top solid framework to the “chick-port” so they can walk around on it without it moving, and changed up the ducks pool a bit. “Chick-port” has 2 internal roosts for added structure and for the chickens to hang out if they desire, it is first wrapped in a water proof tarp twice and then wrapped in a white sheet to aid in heat reduction, so it is a waterproof and well shaded area, with a fan blowing through it. I put in a shallow pond (dollar tree litter box) since they didn’t use the deep one, and I’ll put it back in when they get older. Also tore apart the ramp, got a longer board, roughed it up with sand paper and angled it for a better ramp for the ducks. As before, added some bricks to the bottom of the ramp to deter decay. Moved and secured the ladder and branch set up. May attach some more boards to create levels over the "chick-port", havent decided yet.
Let me know what you think. Also included pictures of the outdoor set up for incoming order of ducklings and Cornish Chickens, sheet gets put over for shade and fan nearby. They get kept in the garage until they are ready or I will put them inside during the night.
Small dish for grit, modified baby pig feeder for food, put some concrete in a milk crate with a plastic liner and then put waterer on top to create a custom raiser. Wild bird seed feed block on a small paver for some treats, old sheets turned into shade, and a solar light strip around edge for night.
Also added some small bricks for steps for the chicks to get to the water.
And later today I will be adding a small tower bird feeder (with perches cut off) on a hanger with bird seed for some enrichment for the chickens, picture will be posted below in a separate post.

Dimensions of the run: total floor 86 sq (+12sq 2nd level) 9 x 7 1/2 feet (67sq) +under coop is 6 1/2 x 3 feet (19.5 sq).
Current residents: golden seabright banty, gold silky banty, 2 banty frizzies (chicks), 2 indian runner ducks.
In about 2-3 months, the indian runner ducks are going to a friend and the ordered ducklings will be moved into the coop. Ducks ordered: gold 300, white 300 layer, and 2 female supprise ducklings.

 

[Nadilli]

P.S. Long story short, lawyer fuc**d me and moving isn't happening, debating on extending the run, if there are issues with flock dynamics.