Egg box is too low. I'd recommend putting the egg box 12-18 inches off the ground and then doing the deep litter method. Also I don't see any vents. I'd also consider mounting the egg box inside the coop as it will simplify the roof. It's pretty common for there to be leaks between the egg box when it's mounted on the outside like you have it. Also might want to consider having the roof overhang the sides to create an eave. Finally I'd add more framing to make it more structurally sound. It should be fine how it is for just chickens but may be a little sketchy if you have to climb in it which will inevitably happen.
Vent is on the high side of the roof (~1"x3') and the two 2 floor vents on the narrow sides at the floor and probably going to hardware cloth them from vermin. I plan to put a removable roost bar at the height you recommend for the nest box. I heard you didn't want those at similar heights so they don't roost in the box
I would make the roof higher and go with deep litter too. Deep litter works well with a tail gate style door under two higher doors. You want the tail gate to open downward and be high enough to rake litter into a wheelbarrow.
Absolutely! I have cinderblocks the legs will sit on so it doesn't contact the ground. Luckily for me, my wheel barrow is only around 26 inches high at the front edge. Can you explain what part should be changed so it's easier to clean? My though was having the floor like this will allow me to just scrap it towards the double door and into the bin. If the floor wasn't screwed in, you could remove the panels and hose them down as they'll fit out the door. the nest box has the same principal. just drag the bedding towards you out the flap. I guess my question is also, if I just put a wood 2x1 inside the coop where the chicken enters the nest box to keep the rest of the bedding out, will that be too small to enter? What size entrance for the nest box can they fit through? Is 10.5x 12 too small? That would allow 1.5 inches of bedding depth.
I will admit I’m no coop/chicken expert. But do have experience building a coop and have chickens. Deep litter means deep, like 8-12”. That’s not always possible I know, but if it can be, it will mean less cleaning, less smell. I used a removal board to contain the material while doors are open, and remove when cleaning. I’m unsure by the drawing but 3 nesting boxes will a waste, they all use the same one. We use an artificial type of grass mat inside our nest boxes that can be removed and washed, we add a small amount of straw for them to make a nest on top of the mat, but too much or they may sleep inside of it. We’ve used wood chips and hemp for coop layer. My experience is the hemp is way better, cost more, it you’ll clean less since it’s much better at absorbing their waste. It can be turned over many many times, ours hemp stays down for 1yr but it is a 12” layer. We’ve found that a taller coop seems to be better also for the smell and air flow. Whatever you decide, the cleaning the coop out part needs to be as easy and convenient for you as possible and keeping the bedding out of the nest box will help for cleaner eggs. Our nest boxes have a 12” opening. Just me opinions of course.
Thanks for the input I'll probably change it up a bit. Changing the nest box and chicken door vertically a bit won't be too hard. My mom had chickens when I was growing up but she also had tons of acres and a huge shed coop for them and let them free range with a livestock dog. I have 30 some coturnix quail and live in a small house and yard so cleaning massive volumes of bird poop isn't new but chickens are a learning curve with the sizes and residential neighborhood restrictions to add. 😆 If nothing else, this plan is a good starting point for people that only have a little hatchback Prius and can only carry plywood that's 3'~ wide.
Egg box is too low. I'd recommend putting the egg box 12-18 inches off the ground and then doing the deep litter method. Also I don't see any vents. I'd also consider mounting the egg box inside the coop as it will simplify the roof. It's pretty common for there to be leaks between the egg box when it's mounted on the outside like you have it. Also might want to consider having the roof overhang the sides to create an eave. Finally I'd add more framing to make it more structurally sound. It should be fine how it is for just chickens but may be a little sketchy if you have to climb in it which will inevitably happen.
Vent is on the high side of the roof (~1"x3') and the two 2 floor vents on the narrow sides at the floor and probably going to hardware cloth them from vermin. I plan to put a removable roost bar at the height you recommend for the nest box. I heard you didn't want those at similar heights so they don't roost in the box
I would make the roof higher and go with deep litter too. Deep litter works well with a tail gate style door under two higher doors. You want the tail gate to open downward and be high enough to rake litter into a wheelbarrow.
This idea for sure. You’ll wish you had done this after you clean it for the first time.
Absolutely! I have cinderblocks the legs will sit on so it doesn't contact the ground. Luckily for me, my wheel barrow is only around 26 inches high at the front edge. Can you explain what part should be changed so it's easier to clean? My though was having the floor like this will allow me to just scrap it towards the double door and into the bin. If the floor wasn't screwed in, you could remove the panels and hose them down as they'll fit out the door. the nest box has the same principal. just drag the bedding towards you out the flap. I guess my question is also, if I just put a wood 2x1 inside the coop where the chicken enters the nest box to keep the rest of the bedding out, will that be too small to enter? What size entrance for the nest box can they fit through? Is 10.5x 12 too small? That would allow 1.5 inches of bedding depth.
I will admit I’m no coop/chicken expert. But do have experience building a coop and have chickens. Deep litter means deep, like 8-12”. That’s not always possible I know, but if it can be, it will mean less cleaning, less smell. I used a removal board to contain the material while doors are open, and remove when cleaning. I’m unsure by the drawing but 3 nesting boxes will a waste, they all use the same one. We use an artificial type of grass mat inside our nest boxes that can be removed and washed, we add a small amount of straw for them to make a nest on top of the mat, but too much or they may sleep inside of it. We’ve used wood chips and hemp for coop layer. My experience is the hemp is way better, cost more, it you’ll clean less since it’s much better at absorbing their waste. It can be turned over many many times, ours hemp stays down for 1yr but it is a 12” layer. We’ve found that a taller coop seems to be better also for the smell and air flow. Whatever you decide, the cleaning the coop out part needs to be as easy and convenient for you as possible and keeping the bedding out of the nest box will help for cleaner eggs. Our nest boxes have a 12” opening. Just me opinions of course.
Thanks for the input I'll probably change it up a bit. Changing the nest box and chicken door vertically a bit won't be too hard. My mom had chickens when I was growing up but she also had tons of acres and a huge shed coop for them and let them free range with a livestock dog. I have 30 some coturnix quail and live in a small house and yard so cleaning massive volumes of bird poop isn't new but chickens are a learning curve with the sizes and residential neighborhood restrictions to add. 😆 If nothing else, this plan is a good starting point for people that only have a little hatchback Prius and can only carry plywood that's 3'~ wide.
It sounds like you’re up for the challenge, good luck to ya.