Opinions on our coop/run?

[georgiashens]

Look at that green grass this time of the year. That might help others realize how mild your climate normally is. I spent a year in London in the late 1970's so I understand you can possibly see some snowy weather but that may not be very normal.

For five chickens that looks fabulous. In your mild climate ventilation is not as important as it is to many of us. You should not get that hot or that cold. Your roost is very low. I might consider opening up some ventilation at the top of that wall under the roof of your run to keep rain out but I'm not sure how necessary that is.

I don't see a pop door? Do you leave that human door open all day? In your climate and under that roof you are probably OK but for many of us a human door open would let in a lot of weather.

Your main predator concerns are probably dogs and foxes. Do you have dig protection around that so they cannot dig into the run? If not, I'd suggest doing some research on "aprons".

That just looks fabulous!!!

Thank you! I have lowed the roost recently because one of my girls had a mild bumble foot so I’m very paranoid! Should I make it higher? That’s a good idea about the ventilation, I have been wanted to add more for a while but I’m just not really sure about how to go about it. There is a gap (about a few cm) all around the top of the shed, would that be to little?

We do leave the big door open all day. We could definitely include a small door instead but I’m just worried about it getting to dark in there and not enough air circulation?

Yes we have an apron all around the run!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you! I have lowed the roost recently because one of my girls had a mild bumble foot so I’m very paranoid! Should I make it higher? That’s a good idea about the ventilation, I have been wanted to add more for a while but I’m just not really sure about how to go about it. There is a gap (about a few cm) all around the top of the shed, would that be to little?

We do leave the big door open all day. We could definitely include a small door instead but I’m just worried about it getting to dark in there and not enough air circulation?

Are all the birds using the roost reliably? If so, then no need to make it higher - that's usually done to make the roost the most appealing place to be at night.

How much is "a few cm?" 10-15 cm would probably be fine, if it's less then it's probably not contributing very much extra air flow. The fact that you're leaving the human door open to help with air flow could be an indicator of not enough ventilation (or it's just your preference) - how about a door with an open hardware cloth insert, so you get light and air even when the door is shut?

 

[FrostRanger]

I agree that the coop could use more ventilation, you want about 1sqft per bird. I would also suggest a wider roost as that can be a bit easier on your birds feet

Otherwise your setup looks amazing! Great job!

 

[Bodhisan]

Looks very nice. In looking into the future - and even present, it looks like you need to open the human door every morning and close it every night? That might become burdensome - if that's the case. You might want to think about adding a pop door that's on a timer or, better yet, a solar sensor. It's good you have the food inside the coop, as rodents can get into your covered run through the wire at nighttime.

 

[Loving my girls]

Looks very nice. In looking into the future - and even present, it looks like you need to open the human door every morning and close it every night? That might become burdensome - if that's the case. You might want to think about adding a pop door that's on a timer or, better yet, a solar sensor. It's good you have the food inside the coop, as rodents can get into your covered run through the wire at nighttime.

Unfortunately having the food inside doesn’t stop them, my movement detector camera showed 19 entries of a rat/rats into the hen house through the pop door in only 24 hours. I would recommend a treadle feeder which has solved our rat problem.

 

[Loving my girls]

What is the floor size ? It’s difficult to tell from the photos

 

[Loving my girls]

Can I recommend changing the window to rodent proof wire perhaps prepare it for the fitting of something for the winter ?
Don’t rely on it for ventilation though if you plan to cover it in the winter.

 

[Barnette]

So jealous you have an amazing setup!!

 

[Bodhisan]

Unfortunately having the food inside doesn’t stop them, my movement detector camera showed 19 entries of a rat/rats into the hen house through the pop door in only 24 hours. I would recommend a treadle feeder which has solved our rat problem.

Ah, just assuming the human door was closed at night - which would, unless there are other ports of entry, keep out the rodents.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

How frickin cute! Nice job!