2 new coops, in need of advice please

[carriehelene]

So we have 1 big coop right now, but I want to get some of my breeds seperated out, mainly moving my smaller birds out from my bigger birds. What I'm looking at is the cochin duplex https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=10091-cochin-duplex from the coops page, 2 of them. One would house 2 different colors of banty cochins, seperated. And the other would house my seramas on one side, and my silkies on the other. My bf, the carpenter, keeps telling me that the 3x5 is smaller than I think, and I'm going to want it bigger. (ok, maybe he knows me too well lol). So will this size coop fit 5 each of these breeds comfortably? Also, they will likely be raising some chicks in there (that I'll sell as they get bigger), so there is that aspect to consider as well. Please keep in mind, I'm in upstate NY, it gets real cold in the winter. Should I go with the 3x5 as stated in the design, 4x4, what? Please help. I wouldn't ask, except I absolutely suck at visualizing sizes (or distances for that matter). I tried holding out a tape measure, and that didn't really help at all. Ok, I'll shut up now.

 

[Msbear]

I have 5-8 banties in there at any given time. The outdoor covered runs give you all season outdoor sq. footage. Your chickens will spend most of their time out there... means less poop in your coop

If you could make the runs bigger, that would help.

My new plan is similar. Im designing a 5 coop barn. It would basically be the same but the runs would come out the front and the roof line would run lengthwise with a significant overhang where the backdoors would be (may enclose it... not sure) The birds would still be able to access the area beneath the run for extra space.

Tip: We use ramps covered in carpeting scraps for the peeps to get up and down to the run.. They use it in as little as a week old.

 

[carriehelene]

Thanks MsBear, guess it would have made more sense to go right to the source and asked

Glad you saw my post and let me know. Great coop btw, as soon as I saw it, I knew it was exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Msbear]

Hey no problemo!

A great place to find those wonderful vintage windows is Restore ..a habitat for humanity store that sells used building supplies for REAL cheap.. like $1 per window. They are in most big cities and many not so big ones. Craigslist is also a good place to hunt.

Feel free to pm me with any other questions.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Excellent Drawings!!!!