[Diggit]

Hi All, I'm new here. I am going to be building an ark style coup in the next couple of weeks to keep 2-3 laying hens. I know the basics such as keep the perch high and the nest low, I'll have a door on the nest to collect eggs, a door btween the run and the shelter to keep them in the shelter at night, and an access door for cleaning.

Is there anything you can think of that may not be obvious to a beginner?

Thanks
Paul

p.s. great site  

[richyrich7]

Hi Paul welcome to the forums    fisrt thing I'd say is possibly reconsider the ark style, the sloping sides can be restricting for the hens movements there's a loss of space as the roof comes down towards the bottom angles, also the triangle shape can be a little difficult to clean in the nooks and crannies.

Depending on the height of your coop you may want to consider putting a droppings board about 9" under the perch, sprinkle some sawdust on it and it will catch most most of the poo as they go to roost.

[cathangirl]

Welcome to The Hen House.
I would recommend a house built off the ground if you can manage it.  The hens will have extra shelter and their feed will stay dry.
We filled in the space with boards, but small netting can be used too.
cathangirl

[poultrygeist]

When I was planning ours, I googled as many manufacturers as I could and poached all the good ideas I could see. As well as looking back at previous posts and photos especially on here.

You can change plans a lot easier than the coop once it's built. I wish I'd built mine with the frame outside and the inside smooth surfaces.
I wish I'd put a droppings board in like Richy said.
I'm pleased I built the roof high to give lots of air at the top to circulate cooling air in the summer.
I'm pleased I built it 18" off the ground to give shelter for food and water underneath.
I'm pleased I made one side removable with the nest box removable separately.

Good luck with it. Hope to see photos when you've done.

Rob

[Roughlee Handled]

............Hope to see photos when you've done.

Rob

Rob where are you photos of your coop go on show us.

[poultrygeist]

A view of the whole...



The side removed.....


The view from inside, looking up at the roof structure and vent holes...


A couple of views inside looking towards the (closed) pop hole...



The removable side. It sits inside the main framework and 2 bolts secure it from the inside....



I made it up largely as I went along from a concept in my head. Some of it worked well, some not so well, but it keeps them warm, dry and safe.

I hope to supercede it one day with something a bit bigger and easier to clean.

Rob

[Roughlee Handled]

Ok very good. That has given me some ideas as well.  Thanks