Chook house plans for 'Les Poules' - help / feedback for a newbie please!

[PouleChick]

It sounds like a very sturdy coop and almost definitely predator proof, but the cement idea throws me. I think that the cement would be bad for their feet, but I've never tried a cement run. Good luck!

I'll be covering it - I think with sand in the summer and possibly the deep litter method in the summer (more research and decisions lol!), I wont' just leave it bare - not sure if it would be bad for their feet but can't imagine it being comfy or easy to clean if it was bare.

 

[PouleChick]

I've just done the maths and with the current style plan if I run the coop all along one side 1m x 2.2m it would be enough for 6 chickens (do the silkies need less space for the maths?) but haven't seen any coops that are long and thin like that in that style. Can anyone help? Would I be better doing it square still but just bigger so then the run bit wraps around like an 'L'?

 

[PouleChick]

I'm thinking in terms of cleaning and access which would be easier - long and thin (3 foot x 7 and a bit foot) or 5 foot square ish both for the same floor space?

 

[ChickenGoesRuff]

For the long vs. square idea for cleaning I think it depends on where your door to clean is. I have an approximately 1m x 2m x 1m "long" brooder coop/quarantine coop. I have a fold down hatch on the short side to access feed and water, but on the "long" side opposite the window I have a board with a track to slide up and down and is secured with a screw at the top. I use the side that essentially removes to clean it out and I have no problems, but if I had to clean from the short side it would be a lot more difficult. It all depends on how you plan on cleaning it out. On the silkie/bantam note, bantams do need slightly less, but as is always the case, more room is always better. I plan for at least 4 sq. feet for large fowl, and 3 sq. feet for bantams. With the run also it seems to be whatever you want to have on your coop. A square coop with an "L" run might save more space, but might take a little more planning. Personally I prefer my runs to be rectangles extending from my coop just for simplicity's sake. Mine also seemed roomier than my L run. Hope it helps!

 

[PouleChick]

thanks @aart - I realised I had read that at some point before!

 

[PouleChick]

Hard to keep track of it all.....there's SO much!!
I kept/keep a Word doc and a spread sheet to copy and paste notes and links.
Headings (roosts, coops, feeders, etc) help a lot when looking for it later.

That is a great idea! I have already done something similar for my garden (on a huge learning curve as a newbie gardener and now chicken owner!).