Planning on making this type of coop, had a few questions

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tom311

tom311

Hatching
5 Years
Jul 27, 2014
2
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http://ana-white.com/2012/05/plans/frame-chicken-coop?page=2

So with this A-frame coop would feed and water containers go up top, or in the run? In the top part should i leave a chicken wire flooring with supports for ventilation, or make it a solid floor? In the run would i leave the grass from my yard or replace it with sand/bedding? For the most part they will be able to roam around my large yard. If my wooden fences are about 6 feet tall, and 5 foot in a few spots, would the chickens be able to fly over it? Thanks
 
Tom, usually the food and water go underneath the enclosed area of the coop. Water inside a coop tends to make a mess quickly. In winter, it leads to ice inside the coop which is not good. For the floor, I would go with plywood. You think a wire floor would let the poop fall through, but in reality it builds up, and a flat sturdy surface is easy on the chickens feet and easy to clean.

You can leave grass in the run, the chickens love it, but if the run is small, all of the grass will disappear in a week or two, and you will be left with dirt. If that's the case, I would go with sand, as it drains better than dirt. But if you give them a large run, grass is nicer choice. Chickens can fly over a 5-6' fence, but most won't. My fence is 4 feet, and my birds never try and go over it. Their yard is large enough that they have plenty of space and want to stay close to the coop building. If you get a bird who flys over the fence, you can clip one wing. I have never had to do that.

Good luck!
 
thomasboyle said:
Tom, usually the food and water go underneath the enclosed area of the coop. Water inside a coop tends to make a mess quickly. In winter, it leads to ice inside the coop which is not good. For the floor, I would go with plywood. You think a wire floor would let the poop fall through, but in reality it builds up, and a flat sturdy surface is easy on the chickens feet and easy to clean.

You can leave grass in the run, the chickens love it, but if the run is small, all of the grass will disappear in a week or two, and you will be left with dirt. If that's the case, I would go with sand, as it drains better than dirt. But if you give them a large run, grass is nicer choice. Chickens can fly over a 5-6' fence, but most won't. My fence is 4 feet, and my birds never try and go over it. Their yard is large enough that they have plenty of space and want to stay close to the coop building. If you get a bird who flys over the fence, you can clip one wing. I have never had to do that.

Good luck!
Click to expand...




Thanks for the advise. For the entire day they will have the run of my yard so I think sand will work inside the small run. I live in Florida so are there any special considerations I should take for a hot and humid climate?
 
If you go with sand, make it the coarse kind, not the fine beach sand. It drains better and the chickens will like to scratch and dust bath in it.

Make sure you allow for plenty of ventilation since you are in a hot environment. And be thankful you don't have to deal with snow and ice!!!
 

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