16 x 12 Coop

[jthornton]

I have a 16' x 12' building next to the chicken yard that was supposed to be a garden shed... it's turned into a junk shed. It has 5 windows and a 36" man door, no insulation and full of junk at the moment. I'm open for ideas for layout. I want to turn this into my coop and use the one I made from photos on the internet for something else.



JT

 

[blackdog043]

If your gonna make a poop board, I would put it along the back wall. This way, your roost will be away from any drafts. Are you gonna use your roll out nest box in there? Make gable vents for the front and back wall. This is gonna make a great coop and easier on
you to maintain it.
How many chickens will a 16 x 12 hold chicken math coming to a coop near you soon.

 

[PetesChicks]

That will make a nice shed coop!

In mine, I have the first 5’ walled off with wire so I walk in to the coop and have my storage area for food and stuff separate from the chickens. I put the nest boxes on that wall, it takes up some of my space but I use the top of it as a shelf.

I built a Dutch door in the wall, so I can open just the top to throw in some treats if I want.

I’m sure you have read the post on stacking that @aart has, follow the suggestions there and you can’t go wrong.

An automatic door to your secure chicken run will let you sleep in or come home late once in a while, the girls will learn how it works pretty quick.

I’d keep the coop you use now as a broody coop or isolation coop, you never know when it might come in handy.

Good luck with your new coop, I know with your ingenuity and skills it will come out great! And you’re going to love having a walk in coop!

 

[jthornton]

I like the idea of putting the roost across the back wall. I also like the idea of putting the roll out nest box in a dividing wall.

I have a 2' x 4' brooder I'd like to incorporate into the coop. I've changed it some since that photo, the front opens up for cleaning now instead of the top.



JT

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Will there be computer automated feeders? How about a tinkered up roomba that vacuums poop?

Can't imagine how much fun you'll have with that much space!

 

[jthornton]

Maybe make something like this to comb the poop tray and put it in the compost pile automagicly...

JT

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Good idea, I think that might be the best way. Although I have a pullet that would be too mentally dull to move.

Or a conveyer belt system, crank the handle from the outside. Ahhh, maybe scavenge a register belt from a grocery store?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Your brooder is good in that it's easy to get to for you. I'm elbow crawling into my near floor level one to reach in. Yet I can set it up so they can hide in there during integration. I'll be interested to hear the consensus about what's best.

 

[Cryss]

If your gonna make a poop board, I would put it along the back wall. This way, your roost will be away from any drafts. Are you gonna use your roll out nest box in there? Make gable vents for the front and back wall. This is gonna make a great coop and easier on
you to maintain it.
How many chickens will a 16 x 12 hold chicken math coming to a coop near you soon.

Looks like 38-48 birds can fit in here depending if you go for the minimum PSI of 4SF/bird or give em a bit more room with 5SF/bird. Dontcha just love chicken math?

 

[jthornton]

Looks like 38-48 birds can fit in here depending if you go for the minimum PSI of 4SF/bird or give em a bit more room with 5SF/bird. Dontcha just love chicken math?

I came up with that 48 number too but the chicken yard would not support that many... chicken math is to get a few of Cinnamon Queens to add to the RIR's. I'm thinking 15 maximum... I have 9 pullets now.

JT