8x8 coop or 10x12 coop?

[2006powerstroke90]

So many things to consider. Tractor supply sells nesting boxes(3) boxes. I will buy 2 of them.
My nesting boxes are floor level inside their coop now. But that about 4ft off the ground. My concern is if I raise the boxes 4ft off the ground inside the new coop(shed) they won’t jump up into the boxes and they’ll just lay on the floor. Which I don’t want because I don’t want them crushed. Which they have done before.
I won’t know how the roosting bars will be set up yet, I’ll have to wait until the shed gets here, I’ve only seen pictures of it. So won’t exactly know until it’s in my yard and level.

after much consideration the run will be 8x16. Right now it’s 8x10 but it’s a tractor supply dog kennel with a tarp as the roof I can’t stand it. And it still gets wet inside.
Me and my brother, once the shed gets here will build an actual run with a roof and all.

as far as the ground goes inside the coop, right now mine is just dirt. And obviously mud because it’s all wet.
I plan on using hardware cloth on the floor and screwed to the frame of the run so if anything digs under the run they will hit the cloth before getting to the chickens. Can I use crushed stone and hay? Or pine shavings on top of the stone? Or will it be ok for them to walk on the stone?

I never thought a $200 coop originally going into this and a few chickens would turn into a $3,500 project.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I plan on using hardware cloth on the floor and screwed to the frame of the run so if anything digs under the run they will hit the cloth before getting to the chickens. Can I use crushed stone and hay? Or pine shavings on top of the stone? Or will it be ok for them to walk on the stone?

I never thought a $200 coop originally going into this and a few chickens would turn into a $3,500 project.

I don't recommend HWC on the ground - extra cost (compared to an apron around the exterior) plus it's hard on their feet if they ever scratch down that far. I also wouldn't use any form of gravel in a run. If mud is an issue, look into deep litter - assuming there's no unresolved drainage issues, it provides good drainage and allows poop to compost down, controlling mess and smell.

Haha no doubt that chickens can get expensive. I started with a prefab and have now spent several thousand on a new coop and a run, plus hours reinforcing and adding on to it.

 

[aart]

an apron around the exterior

Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

 

[2006powerstroke90]

Thank you for the links.
It looks like they just laid the hardware cloth on top of the ground. Flush with the bottom of the coop?

wouldn’t something still be able to dig under it starting from a foot away from the coop?

 

[aart]

Thank you for the links.
It looks like they just laid the hardware cloth on top of the ground. Flush with the bottom of the coop?

wouldn’t something still be able to dig under it starting from a foot away from the coop?

Tack down the outer edges until the grass grow back up thru the mesh.
They are more likely to dig right at the bottom of the wall and move over, rather than back up, once they hit the mesh.
Make sure the mesh is flat to the ground, especially the outer edge.

 

[2006powerstroke90]

That’s exactly what I was thinking after I posted my previous comment. That’s what I will do. Plus it’ll save me some money on hardware cloth.

the run is actually going to be a 8x20. My brother talked me into it.

 

[Vacman]

You will never be sorry you went with the bigger one.....but, in the case of my hens, they only sleep in the coop. Most of the time, they are outside in a covered run or out in the electric mesh fence-enclosed orchard. Since all they do is sleep in the coop, they really cuddle together and take up a very small space on the roosts.

 

[aart]

they are outside in a covered run

That is key!
Probably have the walls wind blocked too?

How much snow y'all got up there @Vacman ?

@2006powerstroke90
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Vacman]

We got 8" of snow right around Christmas and 7-1/2" the end of last week. The cover over my coop is a 12 X 18' hoop house covered in clear plastic with 1/2 of the south exposure end open. Very little snow comes into the covered area. This is an older photo. There is now a thermostatically controlled exhaust fan at the top of the far wall set to turn on at 85 degrees. I've also added a homemade garbage pail feeder. That power cord powers the fan and a heater in the 2 gallon water container in the coop. No heat in the coop.

 

[2006powerstroke90]

As I anxiously await my new shed to turn into the coop I’m pondering some more ideas.

The floor in the shed is wood(obviously) before I throw bedding down and the chickens do their business on it. I would like to put something over the wood to protect it from getting wet to prolong any rot that may occur. What would you guys recommend? Could I just use a good wood sealer?
Also, my run right now is mud, in the new run I would like to use sand. I’ve read online play sand for a sand box is no good for chickens. What type of sand should I use? How many inches of sand would you recommend?