coop design

woodz · **Joined:** Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:14 pm **Posts:** 4

Hello I am think of a coop design and looking on the internet found this one that I like http://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/u ... cf1489.jpg but I am wondering if the nest and sleeping area is too high for silky bantams which is the chickens we want. Would that be ok or should it be lower for the bantams

Any advice would be real good please

purefeather · **Joined:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:36 pm **Posts:** 736

I don't see any perches, are there perches inside the enclosed area?

woodz · **Joined:** Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:14 pm **Posts:** 4

From what I understand there are shelves around the sides which are above the nests

Karen_H · **Posted:** Fri Dec 09, 2011 8:19 am

When I have had Silkies in the past, they tend to nest lower down although some I had would 'climb' anything if it had a ramp on it (including a tree - several died jumping out of it

. Needless to say we cut the tree down after that as it was on an angle they could easily climb)

2_Drakes · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2011 10:46 am

That shelter is high I would make it a little lower and use perches not shelves better for the chooks feet

woodz · **Joined:** Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:14 pm **Posts:** 4

I think I will make it lower I also would be concerned about any chicks that may fall so do you think I should half the height?

2_Drakes · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2011 2:58 pm

I would lower it to half way yes its ok for large hens but not bantams I think

purefeather · **Joined:** Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:36 pm **Posts:** 736

Don't make it too difficult for yourself, don't lower it too much. At some stage you're going to need to get in there to muck it out as well as other maintenance work.
If it's too low it becomes uncomfortable and a pain in the butt, so to speak, and less likely to get done on a frequent basis.
On the other hand you could add some sheets of iron/timber lower down and add some perches closer to the ground,but still protected from the wind and rain.

woodz · **Joined:** Wed Dec 07, 2011 8:14 pm **Posts:** 4

Good point there I must remember those as I am quite tall thanks for raising those

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