BackYard Chickens

Advanced Search

BackYard Chickens › BYC Forum › Raising BackYard Chickens › Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance › Hold my hand - real basic coop plans!

Recent Reviews

Ameraucana
Reviewed by starbugs

I have had 3 Ameracanas and they have all been rather skittish - however, my most recent one is not nice at all! As a matter of fact, her main goal is to walk around and PECK any other hen that...

Full Review
Cornish Cross
Reviewed by cynthiagee

We've been raising these birds for years. Aside from a tendency to heat intolerance, the biggest downside to this breed is the HUGE amount of poop they produce - think turds the size of golf...

Full Review
La Fleche
Reviewed by theeggbasket

We love our Bantam La Fleche. The La Fleche are a rare French breed that can be difficult to find here in the US. They're shiny black plumage and unique V-comb make them stand out at the...

Full Review
Cochin
Reviewed by MidNight Wings

I love mine, my oldest pullet gets bullied a lot by my other girls; so when I come out she runs up to me and sits there until I pick her up. I am a little worried that my roo will be evil.. I...

Full Review
Barred Rock
Reviewed by techpeak

These birds have been the foundation of our flock. They have stood up to the arid Colorado weather here which means cold winters, hot summers and not much rain so no many plants or bugs. Very...

Full Review

New Posts All Forums:Forum Nav:

Hold my hand - real basic coop plans!

Subscribe Search This Thread

« Previous
1
2
Next »

Start a New Thread

post #1 of 13

4/18/12 at 10:52am

Thread Starter

fmernyer

Location: CT
Joined: 4/2012
Posts: 78
offline

Select All Posts By This User

Okay - kinda silly - a photograph of the plans - but its what I got right now...

Definitely 6 - possibly 8 chickens.

8' x 5 ' X 4' coop. (height depends on how much we lift it off ground, I think)

3 nest boxes - 12x14"- 8" off floor - sloping tops.

Two back doors that swing open for cleaning at back of coop. Loose netting to discourage free for all when cleaning, if necessary. No lip on bottom (or removable) for ease when cleaning.

Roosts - 3 roosts?- made with rounded edge 2X2's or equivalent branches - same height? 12" away from wall - 12" away from each other? One ladder? Higher than nests. Removable for cleaning.

Pop hole - 20"H with ramp (30 deg or less I hear)

4 vents - front to back - not sure of size of vents yet.

Not working on run, yet. That will come. Am I missing something?

Thanks!!

~Dawn

Featured Stories on BackYard Chickens

Poll: Why raise backyard chickens?

Why Join BackYard Chickens?

Join Our 4th Annual BYC Easter Hatch-A-Long

post #2 of 13

4/18/12 at 5:13pm

Achickenwrangler#1

Location: west virginia
Joined: 8/2011
Posts: 2,431
offline

Select All Posts By This User

you might want to put thefeed and water where you can reach it easily without going thru the coop., I am thinking about nest boxes accessable from outside, but decided to get add on another roosting coop instead, then leave the main coop for nesting and eating.

post #3 of 13

4/18/12 at 5:33pm

Thread Starter

fmernyer

Location: CT
Joined: 4/2012
Posts: 78
offline

Select All Posts By This User

Aha! I'll move them closer to the door. Getting to the nest boxes from the outside would be the best - but I'm afraid of making the design too complicated since we don't have a lot of skills - lol. I'll look into it and see what the mister thinks. That would free up space by the door for the water/feeder.

What size should the vents be and/or should I be including plexiglass window for light or something? Seems like a big dark box right now.

post #4 of 13

4/20/12 at 3:17pm

chfite

Location: Taylors, SC
Joined: 6/2011
Posts: 1,116
offline

Select All Posts By This User

Raise it off the ground so you can stand and work. Make everything accessible from the outside of the coop without having to go into the run.

Just my experience.

Chris

post #5 of 13

4/20/12 at 3:35pm

Thread Starter

fmernyer

Location: CT
Joined: 4/2012
Posts: 78
offline

Select All Posts By This User

Yes! I was thinking knee height or thereabouts for just that reason - thank you! I imagine it will make it just a bit harder for the critters to get in, too!

post #6 of 13

4/20/12 at 9:21pm

cantwellcolton

Joined: 4/2012
Posts: 18
offline

Select All Posts By This User

what are you making the nest boxes out of? - if theyre just wooden boxes just put a hinge on it with a latch - no real skills needed there.

post #7 of 13

4/20/12 at 9:33pm

fried green eggs

Location: S.E. Michigan
Joined: 3/2011
Posts: 1,465
offline

Select All Posts By This User

If you put it on legs and raise it off the ground 2' and fence it the chickens can go under for shade and snow/rain protection. I stapled plastic feed bags to the bottom of our coop for protection this past winter.

post #8 of 13

4/21/12 at 6:13am

Thread Starter

fmernyer

Location: CT
Joined: 4/2012
Posts: 78
offline

Select All Posts By This User

Quote:

Originally Posted by cantwellcolton

what are you making the nest boxes out of? - if theyre just wooden boxes just put a hinge on it with a latch - no real skills needed there.

'no real skills' being relative

But yeah - I think we're gonna try that. Thanks!

post #9 of 13

4/21/12 at 6:14am

Thread Starter

fmernyer

Location: CT
Joined: 4/2012
Posts: 78
offline

Select All Posts By This User

Quote:

Originally Posted by fried green eggs

Interesting idea! If I didn't include that space in the run then they can go there when they're free rangin'!

post #10 of 13

4/21/12 at 9:17pm

cantwellcolton

Joined: 4/2012
Posts: 18
offline

Select All Posts By This User

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmernyer

'no real skills' being relative

But yeah - I think we're gonna try that. Thanks!

yeah i guess thats true - but i meant it is pretty simple and straight forward - and if you had any questions or doubts you could consult your kitchen cabinets.