Best coops? Help me get some good plans Please!

[Chickens? WOW]

My coop lit on fire on friday. It was really hard, only me and my mom were there. It started with the heat lamp, when the nighbor called it was too late. I lost all of my five chickens. Now that the coop was destroyed I am researching and trying to find one that would be good for 12 hens. I would just like the plans. or some good sites. I would love some helpful ideas. I just want to look on the bright side of the matter, it was just so hard to loose all of my hens. It was also soooooooo stupid to put a heat lamp in. This year we are building a barn so the chickens will be there along with two rabbits, I just want a super warm coop so that I wont need a lamp. I just feel so stupid.

 

[StevenW.]

Dont feel stupid I was very close this year too my geese completely destroyed there heat lamp and I'm very lucky the barn didnt catch on fire.....

 

[Chicken.Lytle]

Sorry about your loss.

My BYC page has a number of links to my blog that may be helpful regarding what not to do when building a coop and what mistakes to avoid when winterizing. Also, BYC has a great section with coop designs.

You do not need architect's plans for a chicken coop. Use a graph paper to try different plans and imagine, step by step, how everything would be used.

 

[MamaChic21]

please don't feel stupid, you didn't do it on purpose. I'm deeply sadden about your girls

It took me a long time to understand that there isn't any best coop out there. I think you buy or built the "best coop" that fits you. It depends on your budget, property, choice, taste so therefore "best coop" is what you want it to be. Here are few sites you might be intrested, it may give you ideas as well. Good luck. Keep us posted on what you decided to do.
http://www.rosedalemills.com/chickencoops.htm
http://www.horizonstructures.com/storage-sheds-chicken-coop.asp
http://www.stoltzfusoutdoorliving.com/pet_structures_chickencoops.asp

 

[cabincrazyone]

Chickens? WOW :

...... I just want a super warm coop so that I wont need a lamp.

I can't find it now, but there's a thread by a guy in Alaska, and two others added comments, about heating coops. They don't. It reaches 40 below sometimes.

They explain that cold hardy chickens will be fine in an insulated coop. The young ones feather out faster and they all become accustomed to it so that when there is a sudden dip in temperature, it won't shock them. Also, if you have heat and the power fails it could kill them because of the greater difference and because they're used to the heater.

I probably am forgetting some points, but the folks in Alaska convinced me that in Minnesota my chickens don't need heat. Also, chickens have been kept in Mn for 150 years without heat.​

 

[showme69]

Quote:
I can't find it now, but there's a thread by a guy in Alaska, and two others added comments, about heating coops. They don't. It reaches 40 below sometimes.

They explain that cold hardy chickens will be fine in an insulated coop. The young ones feather out faster and they all become accustomed to it so that when there is a sudden dip in temperature, it won't shock them. Also, if you have heat and the power fails it could kill them because of the greater difference and because they're used to the heater.

I probably am forgetting some points, but the folks in Alaska convinced me that in Minnesota my chickens don't need heat. Also, chickens have been kept in Mn for 150 years without heat.

This may be the one you're referring to.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=421122

 

[cabincrazyone]

Quote:
I can't find it now, but there's a thread by a guy in Alaska, and two others added comments, about heating coops. They don't. It reaches 40 below sometimes.

This may be the one you're referring to.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=421122

Yes, thanks.