Coop/Run suggestions

[matthewsml79]

Hi guys! So I'm wanting to rearrange and/or move my coops. When I 1st started out I re-did my daughter's old playhouse into a coop. Then my neighbor gave me his coop and chicken math happened. I have 12 baby chicks in the house and 4 3 month old chicks and 2 older hens. I currently have both directly behind my house but considering moving and I would either somehow combine the 2 or add on to the big red coop. Looking for any ideas and suggestions. Thanks yall!

 

[mowin]

I would build onto the front of the red coop. Keep the same pitch and add 6-8'. It would make that new addition tall enough to walk in. Remove the wall and make it one open coop.

 

[matthewsml79]

I would build onto the front of the red coop. Keep the same pitch and add 6-8'. It would make that new addition tall enough to walk in. Remove the wall and make it one open coop.

I like that idea of adding on the front! Thanks!!

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters, especially for housing.

If I counted right, you're planning on housing 18 chickens, yes?

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

So, you will need at least:

• 72 square feet in the coop -- Technically that's 8x9, but given the common dimensions of lumber and other building materials you might find it easier to go up to 8x12. Extra space is always good and you can use some of it for storage.
• 180 square feet in the run
• 18 linear feet of roost
• 5 nest boxes
• And 18 square feet of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation.

What are the dimensions of the existing facilities? I wonder if you could achieve the necessary square footage by attaching the red coop to the coop/run with the chainlink, and adding the necessary walls for your climate to make the entire thing into a coop then just have the new, 180+ square foot run to build?

 

[matthewsml79]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters, especially for housing.

If I counted right, you're planning on housing 18 chickens, yes?

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

So, you will need at least:

• 72 square feet in the coop -- Technically that's 8x9, but given the common dimensions of lumber and other building materials you might find it easier to go up to 8x12. Extra space is always good and you can use some of it for storage.
• 180 square feet in the run
• 18 linear feet of roost
• 5 nest boxes
• And 18 square feet of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation.

What are the dimensions of the existing facilities? I wonder if you could achieve the necessary square footage by attaching the red coop to the coop/run with the chainlink, and adding the necessary walls for your climate to make the entire thing into a coop then just have the new, 180+ square foot run to build?

Yes, 18 total
6 are Polish so I may just keep them separate in the smaller coop but I haven't decided 100% lol.The red coop I believe is 5x8. It currently houses 2 nest boxes and a 7ish ft roost bar.

 

[3KillerBs]

Yes, 18 total
6 are Polish so I may just keep them separate in the smaller coop but I haven't decided 100% lol.The red coop I believe is 5x8. It currently houses 2 nest boxes and a 7ish ft roost bar.

So the red coop will hold 5 comfortably.

How big is the other one?

And where are you? It really does matter -- here in central NC all my chickens need for shelter is a roof and 3 walls to block the wind. In a severe winter area they need more coverage (though they still need generous ventilation).

 

[matthewsml79]

It's just a small little tikes playhouse and sorry, I'm in Morgantown, WV.

 

[3KillerBs]

It's just a small little tikes playhouse and sorry, I'm in Morgantown, WV.

So you get some serious winter with mountain winds?

Have you read this article yet? https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[matthewsml79]

Yeah it can get cold at times and some heavy snow. I plan on putting some type of insulation on the walls in the playhouse and some plastic to help with wind and cold temperatures.

 

[3KillerBs]

I plan on putting some type of insulation on the walls in the playhouse

Insulation is not generally necessary -- it tends to attract rodents to make a cozy home inside it and offers very little advantage unless you are experiencing condensation on metal walls/roof.

We keep our chickens dry and out of the wind and they keep themselves warm with their built-in down parkas.