4x10 chicken coop+run design help

[deeschicks1]

Hey guys I have tons of questions! Sorry in advance

I don't have my chicks yet, but I'm planning to have 4. (don't LOL at my chicken math) I looked at a lot of ready to assemble and none of them are really big enough for them to spend most of their time. My design is to have the chicken coop as a lean-to up against my shed, since there really isn't anywhere else i can place it, unfortunately this means there is a slight slope in the ground towards the back which i'm hoping to fix by using the deep litter method and burying the posts to level out the coop. thoughts?
In the front I have a large door that is basically the whole front to facilitate cleaning and a sliding window for venting, this also something else I'm not sure how much more venting to add.
On the side:

I have the nesting box 1ft off the floor of the coop is this high enough? too high?? how many nesting spots do I actually need for 4 hens?​

I also have a door built in under the coop where I will place food and water and can easily access it to refill. is 2ft off the the ground high enough?​

In the run there is a people door about 3ft wide.​

On the back of the coop is just the sliding chick door, how big should this be? I plan to lock them up each night.

If I lock up the chicks every night how important is the apron of netting around the bottom? Also dumb question but can I just mow my grass over it once it grows?
Would it be easier/simpler/harder to use netting on the whole floor of the run which will then be covered with the litter that I use?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Vents: Ideally 1 sq ft per hen. The side of the coop facing directly into the run is a very good place to put some, as the roof will protect it from the elements.

Nests: 1' off the ground is fine. You could also just have it close to floor level and skip having to put a landing perch in front. I would do 2 boxes for the 4 (1 for every 4 birds is the recommendation, but with a small flock it's useful having a 2nd box anyhow).

Clearance under coop: I think 2' is the minimum height for usable, accessible space underneath, so that should work.

Pop door: 12" square or thereabouts is pretty standard for a pop door.

Apron: I would apron out the run (and coop) regardless if the chickens are locked in at night. It's worth it just to deter rodents, if nothing else. Yes you can mow over it once the grass grows back, assuming you properly pin it down (use landscaping staples and pound them flat into the ground). I do not recommend flooring the run with wire mesh as chickens can cut up their feet while digging.

 

[EMAE]

What do you mean by "apron"?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What do you mean by "apron"?

An apron is wire mesh buried or placed on surface of the run perimeter to deter digging pests and predators. Here's a good example of one done very well. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[David61]

What do you mean by "apron"?

Apron are worth the effort. Roof over hang is another over looked thing. Go two feet if you can. It will keep your floor dry and cool.

 

[EMAE]

Oh thanks! I'm familiar with that from building gardens. I was planning on doing a full hardware cloth floor on the run on building. it still might be easier given the terrain I'm working with, but maybe an apron will be just as effective?

 

[3KillerBs]

Oh thanks! I'm familiar with that from building gardens. I was planning on doing a full hardware cloth floor on the run on building. it still might be easier given the terrain I'm working with, but maybe an apron will be just as effective?

Chickens will dig down to the wire floor and can possibly hurt themselves on it.

 

[David61]

Yea, I to was going to wire the floor but they dig deep. I'm glad I didn't. 18-24"apron and roof over hang will serve you far better than another construction option.