A-Frame or not? and a collection of plans for coops I NEED HELP WITH A NEW COOP IN CT.

[CTMike]

I live in Central Connecticut and am looking to start a small flock for fun and eggs.
I'm looking toward getting Rhode Island reds I want to start with 3-4 then maybe up to 6 at most.

After lots of careful and overwhelming searching i am now officially lost. I have found alot of A frame plans and i like the a-frame for its mobility and ease of construction. also in case of mud I would like to be able to move it.

Here is what i have found...

http://myattemptatgardening.blogspot.com/p/chicken-tractor.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jrossetti/sets/72157622557643038/

http://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/better-homes-gardens/diy/projects/article/-/5829854/chicken-coop/


My collection of PDF PLANS

http://marinefishtank.wikispaces.com/Chicks+for+the+yard

My other consideration was to make a two piece system a run the attaches to the coop. and build a small rectangular or square raised coop.

I have no idea about ventilation?
What do I do for the TEMPS in CT for the winter and summer?
Is ventilation only really for removing moisture?
I do not want a heater on in the winter what are my options?

 

[OkChickens]

I would not Heat your coop. Having a heat lamp on cost quite a bit and also the birds will acclimate to the weather. Last Year here in Oklahoma it got down to -25 degrees and my birds were fine. What a coop needs is to be draft proof but have plenty of ventilation to release the moisture in the air. For 3-4 hens even 6 hens a 4x8 coop would be great! I have very simple 4x8 coops that will accomidate 8 large fowl birds or 10-12 Bantams. I built them late last fall so I haven't cut out the windows yet for summer ventilation. My birds haven't had frostbite at all this year. For ventilation I have a 6" by 4' opening across the top of the front wall covered in Hardware cloth. My coops are not fancy but the chickens don't care what they look like. If you would like to see a few pictures of the coops let me know.

Nate

 

[karlamaria]

We have 5 girls, in my 5x6 coop, we are expanding the coop to 8x6 so we can add 2 more rhode island reds. We are also increasing our pen to allow for the new girls. The important thing about your coop is that it have ventilation ,and it's insulated. Just throwing soothing together is fine for summer, but winter needs thought. You need to insulate if you do not choose to heat. Mine is both insulated, and when it gets below -10 I plan to heat it. Good luck on your coop build, they are a pleasure to have and continued joy for my kids.