Shown here is the front view of a finished Ready Coop™ and Natural Brooder still sitting in the workshop. In use, it will be placed outside directly on the ground. You can allow your chickens to range free around the coop, or you can attach an outdoor run. If you suspect the presence of a predator, or if the snow is too deep, your flock will be perfectly comfortable within the confines of this coop. The orientation and colour of your coop may differ depending on your solar aspect, the view from your house, and your own colour preference. 

Here, you see the nest hatch and front chicken door opened. The removable box nest, which can also be made as a double nest, is painted dark inside to create a more private feel. One nest is enough for four laying hens. Place some straw in the nest. The egg hatch remains closed except when you collect the eggs. The top of the nest acts as a low roosting level and an easy graduation to the higher roosting levels. It can be covered with a piece of cardboard to make cleaning easier. A removable ground nest is included in the brooder for setting hens.

The large front door can be opened to access the inside of the coop, to access chickens and/or to clean the coop. The floor is covered with a galvanized steel sheet. It should be covered with corrugated cardboard for easy cleaning. The cardboard can be lifted out and replaced monthly. A double layer of cardboard can be use during winter for extra floor insulation. Wood chips or straw bedding is optional. Notice the chicken entrance to the brooder is open giving more space. The brooder offers direct and protected ground contact for chickens to scratch and dust.

The brooder sits directly on the ground on its cedar foundation. About four inches of natural soil is to cover the welded steel mesh bottom. The soil can be lightly covered with bedding to help keep soil clean. Most of the droppings will rake up with the bedding, and soil can be replaced periodically. If you like, you can lay cardboard down over the mesh first. I use natural soil with no cardboard. Sandy soil is preferable. The coop and brooder is best placed in a well-drained area.

Chickens like to roost on a high perch at night. The high perch in Ready Coop is 4" in diameter. There is debate about what size perch is required. Because a chicken rests its body on the roost, I suggest the wider roost to prevent deformation of the breast-bone. Cardboard placed on the dropping-tray under the roost, can be replaced weekly. To facilitate the pecking order, the perch, dropping-tray, and the nest-top provides three roosting levels within the insulated area. During the coldest winter nights, use the insulated vent and window plugs (included). Heat from the chickens, the water heater-base, and a day extending, 40-watt light bulb will keep the roosting area warm.

The steel mesh covered vent above the roosting area has a sliding cover for spring, summer, and fall. It allows for venting without letting rain or winds through. During the coldest of winter weather, an insulated vent plug is used. The window is covered with poultry netting to let birds know it is there. During extreme cold, our insulated window plug can be used and it still lets light in. It can be removed for a few hours during sunny days to increase passive solar heat. Notice the brooder has a separate door to the outside, and its own south -facing vent is secured with steel mesh. The brooder roof opens for easy  cleaning.

The chicken coop's lower back door can be opened to service the feed and water. A feeder, a fountain, and a fountain heater-base can be placed effortlessly on the cedar feed-board. It can be raised to keep bedding from being kicked into the feed and water. The chicken feed and water are placed under the tray to help shield them from falling debris and dust. The dropping tray is also accessible through this back door so soiled cardboard can be removed from the tray and replaced without loosing heat from the insulated area on cold winter days.