5 quick Coop design q's

[Prospector]

I have a half-build coop in the yard, but I'm not sure if I have made it tall enough for our ladies.

Can someone please supply the following bits of info?

* How high off the floor is about right for the roosts to go? I am thinking about a foot.
* How far from the ceiling should the roosts be for LF? I am thinking 12" minimum.
* How far apart should the roosts go? I am thinking 2' spacing between parallel roosts.
* If multiple roosts go in the same the coop, should they all be at the same height?
* What are appropriate dimensions for laying boxes? I know this can be as simple as putting a washtub in the coop.

The frame I have together is only 28" high. the back wall of it is 36" high, with a 4'X6' floor. In my head that translates to space for 6 birds. 7 if they are friendly. I have not put a floor or roof on yet, so I can add a section to the bottom to raise the whole thing up if I need to. My plan was to mount it on legs to get it up about a foot off the ground.

 

[easton coop]

I can only tell you what I have and my hens are happy. the roosts are about 18 inches from the ground and about the same above. I only have 1 roost in the coop and one outside in the run. As i understand it the higher roost will get used more and the hens will want the highest position. Laying boxes should be about 18 inches width-height-length, dependant on the breed per bird, but they will share boxes at about 1 for every 2 hens. This is only my view on what i have read and understood. Good luck on completion of your coop and don't forget to post some images.

 

[Prospector]

Thanks Easton!

Looks like I need to add an 18" high lower section then. That's not too much of a stretch since it will allow me to add in a side-opening laying box. I hope the girls don't mind sub-standard 16" laying boxes as I can fit 3 of them across the 4' width.

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Technically it just needs to be high enough to clear the bedding by a coupla inches. But it is real useful if it can be high enough for them to walk around under it, and also high enough that it's *distinctly* higher than the front lip of the nestbox. 18" or more works well for many people.

* How far from the ceiling should the roosts be for LF? I am thinking 12" minimum.

That's probably a bit *too* minimal, especially if these are normal sized chicksn rather than bantams. 14-6" is the least I'd give them, more is better.

Where are you located? (My first guess is Canada since York region, ON is about 10 minutes from me; but of course there is York, England and probably a buncha other ones around the globe too). If you are somewhere that gets winters down to freezing or lower, bear in mind that you will NEED to insulate the underside of the roof if it is metal or plastic panels, and even if it is plywood/shingles you may still *want* to insulate it, which decreases headroom.

* How far apart should the roosts go? I am thinking 2' spacing between parallel roosts.

You don't necessarily need quite that much room, 14-18" is reasonable depending on the size of your birds and how well they get along.

* If multiple roosts go in the same the coop, should they all be at the same height?

There are some advantages to it. It is not like you HAVE to, though.

* What are appropriate dimensions for laying boxes? I know this can be as simple as putting a washtub in the coop.

For normal sized chickens, anything like 14x14" footprint is fine, you can even go a bit smaller if necessary. Or larger is fine too. Whatever

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[teach1rusl]

Regarding your nest boxes...maybe they extend out from the coop?? If not, keep in mind that if they are inside the coop, that does detract from your livable floor space (unless they are elevated at least about 18 inches), as you certainly do not want your chickens using them for living space (walking around in them, pooping in them, etc.), only for eggs.