What size coop would you suggest? (update)

Pyxis said:

Looking good! With 36 square feet of coop space, you'd want nine chickens max in there. Looks like for nine chickens they'll have plenty of run space.

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Thank you! Yeah, I'm now planning on only like 6-8 chickens at most anyways so they'll definitely have plenty of room and that's good about the run space too because I'm planning on free ranging them anyways but was a little bit worried if I wasn't able to so it's nice to know that even if I ended up having to keep them contained, which I might for the first week or two and if the weather's really bad or we go away, they'll be more than okay with it.

I like the design too because if we ever wanted to expand, not that we necessarily would, it should be fairly easy to by just taking the back door off and expanding that way

I would start with six or even fewer from a hatchery. The rest you can pick up along the way, ones that need a good home or rescued. I am so glad I did not start with as many as I wanted.

Free Feather said:

I would start with six or even fewer from a hatchery. The rest you can pick up along the way, ones that need a good home or rescued. I am so glad I did not start with as many as I wanted.

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thanks for the tip. I think you're probably right and I will probably start with 6 or 7. Though my dad wants to get them from the local feed store but yeah. I feel like I shouldn't just jump right into it, might get overwhelmed, so I'll start with fewer

maybe i should get this? https://thesmartchickencoop.com/

or shoudl i stick to building my own?

Stick to building. That one is $335 and is only 12 square feet. That's three chickens only, and for that money you could build yourself a much larger one. Plus, that's the price on the least expensive version, and it looks like with that you have to assemble and paint it yourself anyway.

Pyxis said:

Stick to building. That one is $335 and is only 12 square feet. That's three chickens only, and for that money you could build yourself a much larger one. Plus, that's the price on the least expensive version, and it looks like with that you have to assemble and paint it yourself anyway.

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That's very true, plus shipping costs so probably closer to $400 or $500 anyways, which is crazy for the size and simplicity of it. I suppose it would be good if you didn't know anything about building and wanted to have it done, or have it ready sooner, but since I have someone who can do it, probably much easier. I could always use those ideas anyways and I'm not even sure I like the no floor thing but I don't know. What do you think? I don't mean buying it anymore but like if I should implement that

KDOGG331 said:

Pyxis said:

Stick to building. That one is $335 and is only 12 square feet. That's three chickens only, and for that money you could build yourself a much larger one. Plus, that's the price on the least expensive version, and it looks like with that you have to assemble and paint it yourself anyway.

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That's very true, plus shipping costs so probably closer to $400 or $500 anyways, which is crazy for the size and simplicity of it. I suppose it would be good if you didn't know anything about building and wanted to have it done, or have it ready sooner, but since I have someone who can do it, probably much easier. I could always use those ideas anyways and I'm not even sure I like the no floor thing but I don't know. What do you think? I don't mean buying it anymore but like if I should implement that

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I always recommend you find someone local to build you one if you don't have the skills, chances are it will be built better, bigger and in the end cheaper per square foot over a 'kit' that you have to ship in...

MeepBeep said:

I always recommend you find someone local to build you one if you don't have the skills, chances are it will be built better, bigger and in the end cheaper per square foot over a 'kit' that you have to ship in...

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That's very true. I think if I was gonna buy one or have one built, I would go local like you said. Luckily though, I have my dad to build it I just thought maybe the design was better but it's all stuff we can do ourselves anyways

KDOGG331 said:

I think I have the plan drawn for the coop too. Just gotta figure out where exactly to position the roosts and then the vents but that's easy.

So far I'm thinking of having the roosts on the left hand 4 foot side, the nest boxes on the outside on the right, 4 of them since it's 4 feet anyways, chicken door in the front, obviously, and I'm thinking dead center but I don't know, and then either having the whole 8 foot back lift up or a smaller door, obviously for cleaning purposes. The roof would probably lift up too but maybe on the inside side. I don't know, would all these doors make it too insecure? I would have secure locks and everything obviously but I still worry. My dad's thinking it will probably be like 4 feet tall but I might want it taller so I don't know. I think it will be on stands too though. The kennel pieces are only 6 feet high though so we really can't have it too high. 

I have pictures of our plans so far that I'll post in a second, though I just explained everything. Also trying to decide on a roof too but I'm excited.

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Design has been on my mind. We built a temp coop this summer, with plans of redoing an older building this year. So here are some things to consider:

1. Wouldn't want the whole 8 ft back opening up all the time, because for daily maintenance ours rush the door for attention and handouts, they'd be on the ground with an 8 ft span to cover. Maybe open up in hinged sections for ease of cleaning? Ours is only 4x4 but we did a suicide door/split door covering one whole side. Where we open one side for the daily maintenance, other side has to be opened second from inside, so both get opened then removable baseboard comes out for cleaning.
2. If planning to use pine shavings or sand, remember to have lip around entire bottom.
3. Figure how much roost space is needed and how to accomplish it before deciding on door locations. I seen somewhere recommended 1 ft per bird. Maybe the "ladder" type roost is worth a try? Roof line could play a factor here by having enough head room (peek vs sloped roof).
4. Somewhere, dont remember where, i read it was a good idea to have chicken door and nest boxes close in hopes they lay where they supose to. No clue if theirs any truth to that lol.

Good Luck

Monstro said:

Design has been on my mind. We built a temp coop this summer, with plans of redoing an older building this year. So here are some things to consider:

1. Wouldn't want the whole 8 ft back opening up all the time, because for daily maintenance ours rush the door for attention and handouts, they'd be on the ground with an 8 ft span to cover. Maybe open up in hinged sections for ease of cleaning? Ours is only 4x4 but we did a suicide door/split door covering one whole side. Where we open one side for the daily maintenance, other side has to be opened second from inside, so both get opened then removable baseboard comes out for cleaning.
2. If planning to use pine shavings or sand, remember to have lip around entire bottom.
3. Figure how much roost space is needed and how to accomplish it before deciding on door locations. I seen somewhere recommended 1 ft per bird. Maybe the "ladder" type roost is worth a try? Roof line could play a factor here by having enough head room (peek vs sloped roof).
4. Somewhere, dont remember where, i read it was a good idea to have chicken door and nest boxes close in hopes they lay where they supose to. No clue if theirs any truth to that lol.

Good Luck

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Those are all good things to consider, thank you