Do you think the bolts are suffice to protect against raccoons? I just built mine but I’m not sure if I should add more latches.

I’ve got raccoons in the area and I’ve lost none while it was appropriately secured closed.

@@karentaylor7082 ca coop videos recommend a carabiner….raccoons have “hands”! 8-)

Paint first, assemble second. Trust me, it’ll be less labor

I went back and releveled the coop, they were falling out because it wasn’t level.

Yea he did have one backwards lol

Told ya. They’re getting huge

I’m glad it’s helped.

that is a cheap POS

Just pulled one of my girls out of a tree while locking up tonight

@@LayneFamilyFarmstead A couple weeks ago I literally pulled two from a tree using an 8-foot pond skimmer. The third chicken? She was by the back door in the morning. Ha!

I’ve read this comment from several folks. Total newb here currently building my first coop. But super thankful for videos and comments like this.

@@kcb5336 💗

I close them up every night. Lots of ground predators here so it’s a requirement. It’s gonna be hard to stop them from sleeping in the nesting boxes. Put something up in front of them to keep the chickens out. Otherwise, long term, their urine and rain, and humidity is going to cause the floor in the henhouse to buckle and fall. I keep meaning to make a new video on what the coop looks like a year later with 6 hens using it. I ended up buying some nesting boxes from tractor supply and installing them in the gaps between the roosting bars and attaching them to the frame. Keeps the floor from being wrecked.

Actually yes. I plan to make a follow up video. But simply put, the floor for the nesting boxes is utter trash. It soaks up moisture like you wouldn’t believe and then will warp and fall out. I’d recommend either reinforcing it. Or pulling the dividers out, put a 2x4 over top of it and making your own nesting boxes.

I didn’t heat it. I added extra bedding and kept the ventilation window closed and my girls handled it very well. For me, it’s just too small and cramped in general for me to feel confident heating it.

@@LayneFamilyFarmstead Very cool. Thank you

You’re welcome. If you have any other questions lmk. My big issue with the coop is that the floor of the nesting boxes is fragile. So if you can, replace the floor otherwise moisture will cause it to warp

@@LayneFamilyFarmstead thanks for that tip.

Please look at Carolina Coops videos for ideas. They are awesome.

When it rains, the wood swells just a little. I don’t always check the latch to see if I actually secured it. Best guess, I failed to fully lock the door and one of the buggers got in.

@@LayneFamilyFarmstead Thank you. Sorry that happened.

@@LayneFamilyFarmstead I also think its entirely possible a creature opened the latch. They are not very safe.

It’s definitely possible. But I’m leaning into the theory Thai didn’t fully lock them up

I’ve got a few complaints. I’ll eventually get around to making a video about it. But, the floor of the nesting box is far too flimsy. The environment, excrement, and just general use will warp it. I also think the built in run feels a little flimsy. But full disclosure, I’ve moved the coop several times since setting it up. It’s really hard to keep level too.

@@LayneFamilyFarmstead Some recommend linoleum flooring for the litter area.

@@learnjcbskidsterchickensga7594 that’s good advice. I’m going to try thag. I need to replace my floor in there soon anyway

Good for you! The coops like this that people are buying are NOT good. Please look at Carolina Coops videos for ideas.

Which is why I haven’t scaled my flock size back up since I lost most to a coyote. I plan to convert the full coop to a hen house and fencing in a yard large enough for about 20

When I made the video I had 12. I’ve scaled down a bit since then.

@@LayneFamilyFarmstead why did you scale down

@@LayneFamilyFarmstead you should be scaling up do to what’s happing in this country

Local predators got to half of them and then I decided to keep only the ones I have left until I can build a decent fence and flying predator deterrent

I keep meaning to build a new one. But I’m struggling sourcing materials without a truck to go pick them up. So major plans are on pause until I’ve paid some of my debt off

I keep trying to get around to making an update video but I keep getting distracted. A year later, I’m definitely not a fan of it.

Good for you for being honest about this type of cheap coop. Please look at videos from Carolina Coops for ideas and info.