Planning/Building my First ever Chicken Coop. Need help and ideas!

[Jkraft]

I plan on getting 3 hens within the next few weeks. I have never owned chickens or really been around chickens besides at the local fair. I am really excited to start this journey and can't wait to get my girls! I plan keeping them in the coop and pen area when the dogs are out (or until I know how my dogs will act around them) and when I can not supervise them.

My husband purchased me a coop from a local yard sale site. It was made to be a Custom built duck house with 30-year metal roof. Completely water-sealed inside and out with removable roof for easy cleaning. Very sturdy and clean! Less than a year old and never used by ducks, although the previous owners chickens laid a few eggs in there. Duck house is 38”H x 47”W x 40”D. It also came with 2 horse troughs. What will I need to make it the perfect home?

I plan on making a pen area. I haven't started that yet so any ideas or helpful hints are welcome! I also plan on building 1 nest box out of 2 by 4s I got for free and plywood I will purchase. With at least 1 horse troughs I plan on turning into a dust bath. Not sure what to do with the other. I also plan on making 1 swing. Should I make chicken coop roosts? If so how many? Should I raise my coop off the ground and make a ramp?


I also started a small worm farm for compost and tasty snacks for my girls. Additionally I ordered Non-GMO Project Verified Hard Red Spring Wheat Berries | 100% Non-Irradiated | Certified Kosher Parve | USA Grown |Identity Preserved to grow sprouting fodder for snacks. Not sure about food and water dishes.

For the most part I have done a lot of research on BYC and looked at pinterest for diy things and more information. Thank you in advance for all your help!

 

[ToniTalley]

Lol, congrats! I don't think you need that golf ball anymore, looks like she is good to go.

 

[junebuggena]

You'll need one more ventilation window on the opposite side. That way you get air flow moving all the way across the roof line and out.

 

[henless]

I also made a chicken nipple waterier. Very easy and cost less than $10

All finished and tested for leaks.

I purchased the nipples on amazon got 10 for less than $6 and the bucket from lowes $3. What do you think?

I love the nipple waterers. They sure beat the flip waterers hands down! Another option is the horizontal nipples. I like them even better than the vertical ones.

 

[aart]

Yes but Im going to put a plastic bin in each one so they won't fall out. I made it open like that so I was able to clean out the coop.

Might need to put a board up to hold the floor bedding in when you open the nests to gather eggs.

 

[junebuggena]

Backyard flocks have a much lower rate of having salmonella than commercially housed poultry. Dogs are better at processing the bacteria than humans. I'm pretty sure the dog will be fine.

 

[Jkraft]

Yesterday I got my first egg. I was so excited. My oldest hens are not even 6 months yet. The Buffs will be 6 months the 15th and my silkie will be 6 months the 23rd. I went out this am and found another egg. I was so excited I screamed in joy! My husband thought I got hurt and came running. Nope just got my first egg.





EGG#2

 

[Eggsoteric]

I would start by ventilating the coop (I don't see where there's any ventilation other than the opening on the front).
Is there also a door on the back that you can open and clean the coop out or do you have to shovel or pitchfork the bedding out thru the roof?
I prefer to have my coops raised so that the chickens can use the area underneath for shade.
All of my chickens (save for a few of the Silkies) prefer to roost (the higher the better).

Good luck with your venture! Looks like the coop is sturdy.

3 chickens, huh? That'll change when chicken math kicks in.

 

[Jkraft]

Thank you for the advice!

I will definitely add ventilation. I am picking it up tonight so I'm not sure if there is another door. I will soon find out. I think I will raise it as well. Not sure exactly how but were figuring it out as we go. I'm going to look in my woods out back and see if I can find some good branches for the roost.

3 for now but from what I hear it won't last long. I am getting 1 Jubilee English Orpington, 1 Silkie, and 1 Crested Cream Legbar.

 

[Eggsoteric]

Best of luck. One more suggestion is before you add your chickens to the coop, disinfect it. Some folks use bleach, some use oxine AH to disinfect; I typically like to use Virkon S.