A coop grows in a NYC suburb

[tralfaz]

In NJ to be exact. We love eggs and with the outbreak, it's a pain to stay well supplied. So the Mrs broke down and let me start another project. Her only stipulation was that it gett done quickly, cheaply and well made. I know pick two right?

Luckily I have some lumber laying around from deck railing I removed a few years back and a playset. I was in the process of adding an extension to the current shed when this fell on my lap. The pullets are temporarily being put up in the now on hold she'd project and I have started framing the coop which will be 5x6 with one wall sharing with the new shed.

The coop design is a simple slanted roof with the run in the rear section. So if you were to view the coop and run from above it would resemble an "L". I'm hoping to get the coop done this weekend so the chickens can move it and have proper nesting boxes. Right now they are just doing their business in a covered cardboard box.

Looking for feedback and suggestions on the progress so far. Though what keeps me up at night is the run area. Here's a few of my top concerns.
1. Do I need to also use hardware cloth on the top? Was hoping to get away with 1" chicken wire.
2. My area is on a slope about 2 ft lower over 12 feet and mostly large rocks. We have foxes, raccoons, coyotes, bears, etc. And plan to install a predator proof system. What's the best method to do this if I can't dig down?
3. How much space and height should I provide for up to 12 chickens?
4. Do chickens mind being on a slope? Don't worry, coop is level.
5. Can tension wire be used on the top of posts instead of wood?

 

[tralfaz]

Some pics, cause its sometimes easier than explaining and everyone loves photos

Mistake letting the chickens get staged in the flower garden. They ate athw lillies and other new shoots.

Repurposed the shed extension with temp plastic fencing. Every morning I'm afraid to not count 6 chickens.

First idea was to make the coop a lean-to like the shed extension but scrap to idea as the inside space was not very useable with the roof pitch.

This is my current setup, which is a tilted roof with the front side being the highest at 5ft tall. Half the footprint of the first design but much more efficient use of space. I was planning to put the nesting boxes to the side so the front and back can be opened for easy cleaning. But with the slanted rear roof not sure how high to set the fences for the run.

This is a pic from last night after installing the flooring

 

[mowin]

Sounds like a fun project. All small predators can be stopped with a solid secure coop and run.
Covered run is the safest. If Ariel predators are a issue, it's going to be a good idea.
Chicken don't mind a slop. With all the rocks, a apron might not be feasible. So a hot wire would be your next option, and if bears are a issue, a much needed option.
General rule of thumb is 4 sq ft per bird in coop, not including nest boxes, and 10 sq ft in the run per bird. More is always better.
Tension wire to keep posts steady??? Not sure I understand the question.

 

[mowin]

Looking at your pics, a few things come to mind...
ventilation without drafts. NJ gets fairly cold. Warm moist air needs to escape. Vents should be up high, but roosts should be lower than the ventilation, but higher than the nest boxes.

How about getting another shed like the first and modifying it for the gals? Walk-in coop is so much easier to clean and inspect/catch chickens.

Not seeing the boulders you mentioned, those pebbles look easily manageable. Lol. A HC apron will deter digging predators.

 

[tralfaz]

Sounds like a fun project. All small predators can be stopped with a solid secure coop and run.
Covered run is the safest. If Ariel predators are a issue, it's going to be a good idea.
Chicken don't mind a slop. With all the rocks, a apron might not be feasible. So a hot wire would be your next option, and if bears are a issue, a much needed option.
General rule of thumb is 4 sq ft per bird in coop, not including nest boxes, and 10 sq ft in the run per bird. More is always better.
Tension wire to keep posts steady??? Not sure I understand the question.

yep, we have hawk and eagles, will give chicken wire a try, since I have some and don't want to run out to the store again

 

[tralfaz]

Looking at your pics, a few things come to mind...
ventilation without drafts. NJ gets fairly cold. Warm moist air needs to escape. Vents should be up high, but roosts should be lower than the ventilation, but higher than the nest boxes.

How about getting another shed like the first and modifying it for the gals? Walk-in coop is so much easier to clean and inspect/catch chickens.

Not seeing the boulders you mentioned, those pebbles look easily manageable. Lol. A HC apron will deter digging predators.

I'm on top of glacial rocks, the dirt is only about 2 inches deep at most. Every pick strike is guaranteed to hit a rock

 

[mowin]

I'm on top of glacial rocks, the dirt is only about 2 inches deep at most. Every pick strike is guaranteed to hit a rock

The predator apron doesn't need to be below grade. Flatten it out on the ground, and the grass will grow up through it. Won't even know it was there.

 

[rosemarythyme]

1. Do I need to also use hardware cloth on the top? Was hoping to get away with 1" chicken wire.
2. My area is on a slope about 2 ft lower over 12 feet and mostly large rocks. We have foxes, raccoons, coyotes, bears, etc. And plan to install a predator proof system. What's the best method to do this if I can't dig down?
3. How much space and height should I provide for up to 12 chickens?
4. Do chickens mind being on a slope? Don't worry, coop is level.
5. Can tension wire be used on the top of posts instead of wood?

1. Depends on what the top of the run is meant to deter. If mainly for birds of prey then the chicken wire should be good enough.
2. Attach your apron material (hardware cloth or welded wire) to the fence, then bend into an L shape where it meets the ground and simply lay it out on the ground surface. Pin it in place with landscaping staples.
3. General recommended minimum is 4 sq ft per bird in coop, 10 sq ft in run. If you can manage more space, especially in the run, that would be ideal.
4. Nah, they shouldn't mind. It's not much of a slope anyhow.
5. I have tension wire on part of my run but not sure what you're using it for? I added mine across some U-posts in order to install netting over the top of the run while still giving us 6' head clearance to walk around inside (without it, the netting would slope down to 4' around perimeter, instead of 6').

 

[tralfaz]

Quick update, coop almost done and I'm currently working on the run. Already planning to expand since I have an injured hen peck by a few of the alphas the other day. Has anyone done a in-law like suite for their coop? I am considering one and also have them adjoined by a covered bridge or Hall way. Thoughts if this makes sense?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Has anyone done a in-law like suite for their coop? I am considering one and also have them adjoined by a covered bridge or Hall way. Thoughts if this makes sense?

Can you sketch out what you're thinking with that? Not sure if you mean a smaller isolation coop, or... ?