Approve My Final Coop/Run Design

[Alaskan]

Now, I hadn't really planned on hatching out more chicks (though I can't say I'd be disappointed if it happened, but I'd need to find new homes for them). How exactly does it work as far as what momma needs? I figured she'd just sit on the eggs in the nest box until the babies hatch, and probably keep them in there a while. Is she supposed to be separated so the others don't hurt the babies?

If the nestbox is ground level there is no trouble with her hatching in it. However, if it is elevated chicks can fall out and then freeze because they can't get back.

Sometimes the mom will protect the chicks from the rest of the flock.... and sometimes all of the flock members are nice to the chicks..... BUT sometimes not!

I hate risking the chicks so separate them for at least a few days and then see if they can be integrated.

 

[aart]

Now, I hadn't really planned on hatching out more chicks (though I can't say I'd be disappointed if it happened, but I'd need to find new homes for them). How exactly does it work as far as what momma needs? I figured she'd just sit on the eggs in the nest box until the babies hatch, and probably keep them in there a while. Is she supposed to be separated so the others don't hurt the babies?

I like my broody separated from flock by a temp wire wall,
which I designed into my coop(and darn glad I did!).
Having a way to isolate a bird is good idea, another reason to have more space than the minimum 4sqft, either with a temporary wall or with a wire crate.

 

[aart]

Designing your first coop is a brain bending marathon.....
.....take your time, better now than trying to fix it later.

 

[Alaskan]

I like my broody separated from flock by a temp wire wall,
which I designed into my coop(and darn glad I did!).
Having a way to isolate a bird is good idea, another reason to have more space than the minimum 4sqft, either with a temporary wall or with a wire crate.

I agree... it can be so handy.

I made a removable wire wall that sections off the area underneath one of my poop shelves.

Just so handy.

 

[AmyJane725]

Designing your first coop is a brain bending marathon.....
.....take your time, better now than trying to fix it later.

So very true. I'm trying so hard not to screw it up, because I really have no way of changing anything if I find out I borked it later. I really appreciate all the help/feedback, though I won't lie, I'm looking forward to ya'll just saying that it looks good XD It's disheartening trying so hard and still having so many problems.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ehhh....I dunno...maybe, if run is weather proofed.

It doesn't usually get cold enough long enough in OP's general area for the chickens to hole up all winter. The rain... might be another issue.

How tall are ya'lls coops that are on stilts? My "ideal" design was 9 ft tall. That seems crazy. Idk, maybe I just don't realize how tall buildings are.

My roof peaks internally at 8 1/2', so with the slightly elevated base + the roof, it's about 9 1/2' tall overall. I like having the extra head space, so does hubby who stands a foot taller.

 

[AmyJane725]

Hm, well, it just occurred to me that if I have a covered part of my roof and it has to be sloped, it's going to be taller than the rest of the run roof anyway, so maybe I can have more room for my coop after all.

Do you think I should have the nest boxes level with the top of the litter tray (6 inches up off the floor) or is the little 6 inch hop up from the litter into the box fine? I suppose it doesn't matter unless, like you said, there are little chicks that wouldn't be able to make it back in the box if they fell out. I guess momma can't pick them up like dogs and cats can. I'm no great handyman, and my selection of tools is quite limited, but I could probably build a little ramp for chicks. It's just 6 inches after all. idk.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Ok, that's good/important to know. The chickens I'm planning on getting are a Partridge Cochin Rooster, an Australorp, a Rhode Island Red, a White Cochin, a White Leghorn, a Barred Rock and a Silver Spangled Hamburg. If there's any special advice you can give me with that in mind it would be great. I know hamburgs are supposed to need a lot of room. Will she be happy in this run?

Are the cochin you list large breed or bantam?

If you are getting a large cochin rooster I would only get large girls. That leghorn and the Hamburg will be to small to handle a giant rooster. I would hate to read that the rooster smashed and injured or killed your hens.

 

[aart]

So very true. I'm trying so hard not to screw it up, because I really have no way of changing anything if I find out I borked it later. I really appreciate all the help/feedback, though I won't lie, I'm looking forward to ya'll just saying that it looks good XD It's disheartening trying so hard and still having so many problems.

It took me 4-6 months to research and lay out my coop....
....and I have 20+ years experience as an equipment designer.

 

[AmyJane725]

Are the cochin you list large breed or bantam?

If you are getting a large cochin rooster I would only get large girls. That leghorn and the Hamburg will be to small to handle a giant rooster. I would hate to read that the rooster smashed and injured or killed your hens.

I am getting only large fowl, yes. No bantams. Scares me you can't vaccinate for Marek's with them. If I came out one morning and everyone was paralyzed/dying I'd lose it.

Ok, I do take the safety/well-being of the hens very seriously, but I seriously died when I read that you'd hate to find out they got "smashed" by the giant rooster.

I picked the cochin rooster specifically because he is big. (From what I've been able to glean off of the internet, the bigger the rooster the gentler they tend to be with the hens. And cochins are supposed to be gentle in general. Not the bantams though. I read they're aggressive. Perhaps because they're small? (Again, this is generalities, can't account for personality, but I wouldn't keep a mean roo). Do you think even if the hens were receptive to mating they'd still get hurt? If they actually squat and everything like nature intends shouldn't they be ok, or is it just too big a difference? The rooster is big and lumbering, I honestly doubt he'd be able to catch the hamburg if she didn't feel like it. I'm not sure on the leghorn, but I think it's kind of an advantage for the girls to have a big rooster who's not as agile. They can probably outrun him.

I saw a video of a poor hen literally get gang raped to death by a bunch of little skinny fast roosters and it was horrifying. I can't believe the person filming didn't try to help her at all, just filmed on as she died. Anyway, this is probably going to cause a fight, so I won't go on anymore. Bottom line, I don't trust roosters that are fast enough to catch and rape a panicking hen. A big lumbering guy seems like a safer bet to me.