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lvie said:
But . . . my understanding is that you will have a 4 x 8 coop with run space under it plus another uncovered run attached to it at 10 sq foot per bird. That is plenty of space for run. the coop at 4 x 8 is 32 sq ft / 3 = that is enough space for 10 birds inside and you only want to do six to eight - so that works wonderfully.
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You've got it right on. (May cover run. It will be attached to coop. We'll see what budget and wife allow) I want to START with 6-8.

My next question is in regard to venting. On the 8' lengths of the coop at the top of the walls will be 1 1/2' of venting. Is that enough? As of now, no other vents. That's 288 sq in of vent. Relying on convection to move air.
 
We did our final walkthrough on our mini farm today. No work is needed on the house, but we will be real busy trying to fix up the outbuildings.

Our barn and silos are here, set into a hillside, so they aren't too tall. You can barely see them through the overgrowth around them. (Could see just fine when we were there early in the spring.)
IMG_20170716_125553821_HDR.jpg
Edge of Barn at left, "chicken house" ahead at bottom of hill. The weeds were up to our waists.
IMG_20170716_124457123.jpg
This is the back of the "chicken house".
IMG_20170716_124553162.jpg
And the front, facing out to the stream in back:
IMG_20170716_124818016.jpg
 
Good evening and welcome tfred. My chicken palooza also resides in central mn. We are a Benton county 4h family. Build your coop 4 times bigger than what you ever expect. If your kids do start showing you will want the space because they will want to show matched pairs and breeding trios. As for your roofing material I do not recommend the clear polycarbonate stuff. Once you get a snow load it tends to become brittle and does not allow for light to penetrate. Hit up a 2nd hand or thrift construction sale for some cheap windows.
 
MNChickMom said:
Good evening and welcome tfred. My chicken palooza also resides in central mn. We are a Benton county 4h family. Build your coop 4 times bigger than what you ever expect. If your kids do start showing you will want the space because they will want to show matched pairs and breeding trios. As for your roofing material I do not recommend the clear polycarbonate stuff. Once you get a snow load it tends to become brittle and does not allow for light to penetrate. Hit up a 2nd hand or thrift construction sale for some cheap windows.
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I'd love a larger setup, but we've only got .5 acre with neighbors on either side that aren't terribly excited about our coop addition. We do get along very well.

We're in Crow Wing and may pursue 4H down the road. I'd sure like them to.
 
Another 100+ degree day here. A few minutes ago it rained for about 15 seconds. Now I'm sitting on the floor in my room its so warm... we dont have AC and its 78 in here but that's to hot...
 
@Tfred1399 I have a 4x6 henhouse with a 10x20 run I would think about windows for sure, ones you can shut and open. I use my covered run all year, many people wrap theirs in plastic in winter to expand their coop space. If you click on My Coop link, you can see mine. I had 6 hens, now down to 5.
 
Tfred1399 said:
Cheers from Central MN. Looking to start a flock of 6-8 layers. Building a modified Purina coop, 4x8, probably a 6x8 run. My question....insulate the coop or not needed?
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Mine is insulated. Don't know if it is needed.

Tfred1399 said:
Bogtown- when I think Bogtown, I think Waskish. Anyway,

The coop should be relatively sheltered from the NW.

I'd like to maybe have the kids show at some point if they have interest. We're on the edge of town, just .5 acre. Wife grew up on a farm, but didn't show.

Breed is yet to be determined. I figure a couple of Orpingtons for sure. Would like to see if I can track down some chanteclers. Just learned of them a little while ago, but I'm intrigued.
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Orps are sweet birds, but large single comb. My hen lost half of hers to frostbite. I won't get them again in mn. I'd go with small comb breeds.

Nikasha said:
We did our final walkthrough on our mini farm today. No work is needed on the house, but we will be real busy trying to fix up the outbuildings.

Our barn and silos are here, set into a hillside, so they aren't too tall. You can barely see them through the overgrowth around them. (Could see just fine when we were there early in the spring.)
View attachment 1078984
Edge of Barn at left, "chicken house" ahead at bottom of hill. The weeds were up to our waists.
View attachment 1079087
This is the back of the "chicken house".
View attachment 1078994
And the front, facing out to the stream in back:
View attachment 1078996
Click to expand...
PB and Jelly. I'd love that. You said you are in ramsey? Or nowthen? No roosters allowed in Ramsey I believe... :(
 

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