Hi, I am admittedly a complete newbie to chickens. I have never thought about having my own chickens until now, but I realize it something I want to take on. I have been trying to read up on it the last couple of days, but have so far to go. I do have few friends who have chicken experience, so will tap into them as well. I live in an African country where it is normal to have chickens for many people, but usually they are "free range". I'd like to coop mine. I have have an existing shed that I would like to convert into a coop. The size is about 11'x14', with a roof at about 9'. I am attaching 2 pictures. To the right, under the same roof is a clothes line that will remain. I plan to put up sheet metal to separate the two functions, and to hopefully keep ant chicken mess and smell away from the clothes.
So the back is block wall, the right side will be corrugated tin, the front and the left sides would probably be chicken wire with a door in the front.. The temperatures here are moderate. coldest would be about 60, hottest would be 80.
I am thinking about 3-4 layering chickens.
Here are my questions:
1. For the front and left sides, are chicken wire best for the full height (9-10'), or should I put tin over some of this too? I think most of the prevailing wind will be blocked by the block wall.
2. Not quite sure what to build on the inside. I'v read about roosts and nesting boxes. I could probably put nesting boxes at 1'x1'x1' at the left side with a access door to grab eggs. Is the roost just an elevated platform? Size/height? Or are horizontal branches enough?
3. The floor is dirt. I can spread out some of the hay you see, and sand or gravel are easy to acquire here. Thoughts?
Please give me any other advice or tips you can think of.
Thanks,
dozer
So the back is block wall, the right side will be corrugated tin, the front and the left sides would probably be chicken wire with a door in the front.. The temperatures here are moderate. coldest would be about 60, hottest would be 80.
I am thinking about 3-4 layering chickens.
Here are my questions:
1. For the front and left sides, are chicken wire best for the full height (9-10'), or should I put tin over some of this too? I think most of the prevailing wind will be blocked by the block wall.
2. Not quite sure what to build on the inside. I'v read about roosts and nesting boxes. I could probably put nesting boxes at 1'x1'x1' at the left side with a access door to grab eggs. Is the roost just an elevated platform? Size/height? Or are horizontal branches enough?
3. The floor is dirt. I can spread out some of the hay you see, and sand or gravel are easy to acquire here. Thoughts?
Please give me any other advice or tips you can think of.
Thanks,
dozer
