A few questions

[mtripp]

Hello all,
Please forgive me if this is not in the right post. I find it hard to believe that I have joined a chicken forum! I am looking into getting some chickens and it appears this is a great place to start. I have just over an acre of land and they will have access to about 20 acres to roam. I am planning on building a 5x10’ coop with a attached 10x8’ fenced in run (4x10 under a roof and 4x10 open to the elements). I plan on getting 15 Buff Orpingtons because I read they do well in cold climates and last I checked it does get cold in here in the winter. Is this coop size good enough for 15 birds? They will free range during the day and coop at night, some days they will be cooped all day but hopefully few and far between but on those days they will have the run to be in. I am planning on losing a few to the predators since there is a high predator population in my area, even though I do my best at thinning them out! I am gathering ideas for my coop from various ideas; I think I have a good handle on coop design. Just maybe a question on ventilation, even in the colder climates should I have continuous ventilation?

 

[CityChook]

from MN

Where are you? Just how cold are you talking about?

If you go by the 4sq/ft per bird rule, 5x10 coop is big enough for 12ish birds. If it gets genuinely cold where you live - or it snows - you might want to consider more space per bird than 4 sq/ft. Particularly if they end up being stuck inside of a coop for an extended time because of bad weather.

I think we all have ideal plans of letting our birds free range and then have to make some decisions on the spot after reviewing predators and/or destruction of the landscaping. You will find that they will use the run more in the cold weather if it is roofed and wrapped to keep cold/snow/wind/rain out. It sounds like you have plenty of space -- lucky chickens!

I also have Buff Orps and really do love them. They are such sweet birds. Very calm, pretty and quite cold hardy.

In the blue bar above, you'll see a "search" function. You can type in key words and pick a forum (coops) and get all sort of information that you might be seeking. Good luck and welcome!

 

[mtripp]

I am in maine. There can be times when it is well below zero and snowy(although we are 7wks now without snow). I would assume my winter would be similar to yours in MN.

 

[annie3001]

from ct.!!!!! your set up sounds nice. you can insulate their coop.. that might help as it does get cold in your area. or use a heat lamp at night only? good luck!!

 

[CityChook]

Well, I'm an advocate for more indoor space. My chickens have 12 sq/ft each. That may seem (to some) like craziness, but mine are often cooped up for weeks at a time because of cold temperatures and/or snow. It's a personal choice and I chose to give my chickens more indoor space so that I don't feel so bad when they can't (or won't) go outside. Even tho my run is fully roofed, if there is snow on the ground (it still blows in), they won't go outside. Next winter I am going to wrap the run with clear plastic and see how that works.

You will likley need electricity run to your coop, if not for a heat source (like a red or ceramic lamp), then for a heated water dish.

Check out patandchickens personal page for excellent ventilation advice. And yes, I recommend year-round open ventilation regardless of temperatures. We reached -20F this winter and I did not close up the vents. However, they do have sliding covers in case I want to close them up temporarily. Last year I did, but only because those low temps were sustained for over a week.

Feel free to PM me anytime if I can be of help.

 

[jenjscott]

Welcome to BYC from southeast Arkansas. If your winters are usually more severe with more snow, as I would suspect (since DC got all your snow this year) You really need to go bigger on your coop for 15 birds to allow for nest boxes, feeders possibly, and extra inside time during bad weather. Some ventilation is necessary even in cold weather, just remember if you can smell the ammonia, its already damaging their lungs. The run also would need to be doubled if they have to spend much time in it.