First coop advice

[Schumacher]

updated: added 2nd pic to show potential litter trays, roosts, and nesting boxes.

So we bought 6 chicks for my kids 4-H projects. And we also bought a she shed to house them in. We gave them the back 4x10 ft. I have a rubber diamond plate roll coming for the flooring, and am planning on deep litter of pine shavings. We will put a solar pet door in the back right corner that leads to a 3x21ft run (temporary can be set up and torn down as we only plan to use it till we sell birds in july, or let them free range).
I "thought" I wanted to put the roosts where the red lines are? But am looking for advice from those of you who know better. Roosting boxes will be added if we decide to keep them after the fair in July. They've been bringing $150-$200 per bird, so we might use that profit to offset the initial cost.

Also, how did everyone critter proof under their shed? This shed came on skids, so there's anywhere from 4-8" of daylight underneath it. I don't want critters digging and living under this thing!

So what are your suggestions?
I fear I'm lacking ventilation, I need to coon proof my window so i can leave it open on nice nights.
How would you set this thing up if it were yours?
what feeders and waterers do you use?
will i regret this cheap paneling? I might have access to some white corrugated tin.

 

[Rose Quartz]

I wouldn't put the roosts higher than mid thigh height. If they're higher than that it's more likely they'll have bumblefoot problems. Nesting boxes should go lower than the roosts or they'll sleep in and poop in the nests. Also, if you have 1 roost higher than the other they will fight over the higher roost. 2 at the same height would be better. At 4' wide, you should only need 2 roost bars for 6 standard size chickens.

The loft area is more than high enough above where they'll be sleeping for you to add more ventilation up there. If you added 4 more holes with vent covers similar to what's already up there, on that wall, and the opposite wall it would be enough for your 6 hens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Roost location looks fine to me. Yes you'd need more ventilation but gambrel roofs are harder to ventilate, so if possible maybe look into opening some of the area under the roofline and then adding hinged covers to help exclude rain/snow.

This wasn't one of your questions but the planned run is very narrow. Any chance of widening that? I would not go any narrower than 6' wide due to pecking order/bullying issues that might arise from chickens being unable to pass by one another without offending each other.

 

[DobieLover]

In addition to the above suggestions (especially widening the very narrow run and opening up the roof line for more ventilation), I would eliminate the lower roost and spread apart the upper roosts as shown. If you have very thick bedding, they should be okay. If it sounds like they are hitting hard, you can always install a ramp up against the outer wall leading up to the first roost.

The thick bedding will be kicked out through the HC wall. I would put some thin boards between the studs to keep the mess down.

 

[wrathsfarm]

My suggestion would be doing an L shape roost/poop board on one side of the window depending on which way the sun comes up. Nest boxes could go under the poop boards or opposite wall/external to conserve space.
I agree with the bigger run and more venting.

Edited to add pics.. don't mind the birds, got a lot going on. Just gives you an idea to visualize....

 

[Schumacher]

Roost location looks fine to me. Yes you'd need more ventilation but gambrel roofs are harder to ventilate, so if possible maybe look into opening some of the area under the roofline and then adding hinged covers to help exclude rain/snow.

This wasn't one of your questions but the planned run is very narrow. Any chance of widening that? I would not go any narrower than 6' wide due to pecking order/bullying issues that might arise from chickens being unable to pass by one another without offending each other.

Thanks for the advice on the run! The initial thought was that we would only have chickens till county fair in July. So we set it up that they could have this cheap run between our property fence line and propane tank. And then tear it down after 2 months till next year's chicks are ready. If we don't end up selling them, I do plan to let them free range during the day (provided our tom cat doesn't try to kill them, we will gage his interest while in the safety of the run) but I think we have about 4 feet behind the propane tank. I think we might be past the point of return on that one!

 

[Schumacher]

View attachment 3853983
In addition to the above suggestions (especially widening the very narrow run and opening up the roof line for more ventilation), I would eliminate the lower roost and spread apart the upper roosts as shown. If you have very thick bedding, they should be okay. If it sounds like they are hitting hard, you can always install a ramp up against the outer wall leading up to the first roost.

The thick bedding will be kicked out through the HC wall. I would put some thin boards between the studs to keep the mess down.

Yes! Thanks for this! We actually saved some beadboard paneling and we're planning on putting is along the bottom of the screen, like an 8" kick plate, spanning that section.
5 of the chicks are currently roosting just 12" up in a wash tub in the mean time, but my silver crested polish hasn't started climbing or jumping/roosting yet. Assuming that will come in time? Or might I need to make a ramp specifically for her?

 

[Schumacher]

My suggestion would be doing an L shape roost/poop board on one side of the window depending on which way the sun comes up. Nest boxes could go under the poop boards or opposite wall/external to conserve space.
I agree with the bigger run and more venting.

Edited to add pics.. don't mind the birds, got a lot going on. Just gives you an idea to visualize....View attachment 3854006

Oh I like this concept! So what's the difference in cleaning a poop board vs the floor?
We actually took out the last 4 feet of workbench to give it to the birds coop... but save the material, so could reinstall it as a poop board with a roost! Oh the husband's gonna kill me for that! and to that, if I want to keep my wall clean, how far away does the roost need to be?

 

[Rose Quartz]

Thanks for the advice on the run! The initial thought was that we would only have chickens till county fair in July. So we set it up that they could have this cheap run between our property fence line and propane tank. And then tear it down after 2 months till next year's chicks are ready. If we don't end up selling them, I do plan to let them free range during the day (provided our tom cat doesn't try to kill them, we will gage his interest while in the safety of the run) but I think we have about 4 feet behind the propane tank. I think we might be past the point of return on that one!

If you have standard size hens the oldest i ever lost a chick to one of my cats was 9 weeks old. Once the chicks are fully grown at 12 weeks you shouldnt have a problem, unless they're bantam breeds.

 

[Schumacher]

Roost location looks fine to me. Yes you'd need more ventilation but gambrel roofs are harder to ventilate, so if possible maybe look into opening some of the area under the roofline and then adding hinged covers to help exclude rain/snow.

This wasn't one of your questions but the planned run is very narrow. Any chance of widening that? I would not go any narrower than 6' wide due to pecking order/bullying issues that might arise from chickens being unable to pass by one another without offending each other.

Could you provide a pic of this hinged cover your talking about? I'm not following. We are in nw iowa. That window is on the south side, so the rain comes straight in. And winters are brutal. -20s so I'm leery of too much ventilation and not retaining any heat. Plus, you know... new shed, hard to put holes in the walls rights away, lol.