Thought it might be worth giving an update on the coop now it's been in use for a couple of months.
First off, in general it's been dead easy to use and clean out. I did move the roosting bars around to rtey and encourage a particular chicken to get up with the rest of them - she seemee dto be intimidated by them, so I thought this "T" arrangement would give access to a greater length without her having to get pushy
![](http://dustyend.com/chickens/photos/coop-32.jpg)
The twin growbag trays have been FANTASTIC for cleaning. You can slide each one partially out in turn to poo pick. And when it comes for a complete change of bedding....
![](http://dustyend.com/chickens/photos/coop-33.jpg)
...Whoosh, it all just slides into the compost bin.
The low height of the run area hasn't been such a good idea. For one thing it provides a "hop up" area for certain chickens to make a bid for freedom
![](http://dustyend.com/chickens/photos/chickens-04.jpg)
![](http://dustyend.com/chickens/photos/chickens-05.jpg)
Though to be fair she's only done it the once, on one of the first times they had run of the garden.
Also, it's hard to get in and clear it out, although now that they have the bigger area fenced off, they aren't in the run very often.
In hindsight, I would have made the run full height, but that would have made access to the nest box harder without more convoluted doors etc. Maybe a project for the Spring.
Also, I think I would have looked at a "grid" of roosting bars with the bedding material inaccessible underneath, so that they can only roost at the one level - no cowering on the floor with the potential to be pooped upon overnight. I'd be worried about al lthe extra crannies for red mite to hang out in, though - so maybe adapt a couple of sectors of that plastic chicken house flooring stuff.