Bought a pre-fab off craigslist...lesson learned but now I have decision paralysis!

[spillsomepaint]

Soooo, I just brought my first three pullets home, three lovely Buckeyes that I'm coop training in a pre-fab coop that I picked up off craigslist. Not pictured is the ramp that goes inside. This is also not where the coop is set up, I have a rear corner section of my yard the previous owners fenced in within the already fenced yard for their dogs, that's where I have the coop. It's a pretty large space.




LESSON LEARNED. This thing is not practical in the slightest and now I get why there are so many discussion threads and reddiit posts about coops. I unfortunately have to use this until I come up with something else, which means this is where they are doing their coop training.

MY FLOCK: I plan on letting the hens free-range the fenced-in yard, it's pretty large, from dawn till dusk. I have three right now, but anticipate up to 5 hens once I get more situated. I do not plan on keeping a rooster. I also plan on planting many chicken friendly plants and creating a really interactive habitat for them in the ranging areas.

WHAT I THINK I NEED?: Becuase my ladies are going to free range, I think my coop should contain only the sleeping/laying space (vs. a wire enclosed run attached). I'd ideally like to have the coop sit on the dirt floor so I can use deep litter methods (I can dig a 12 in deep pit to place it on and thought I'd cement around it to prevent intruders/rot). I'm in Virginia, so I don't think I need insulation. I'd also like to be able to hang waterers and feeders in the coop.

MY CHALLENGE: I'm completely a novice in terms of building anything. I look up plans and am totally intimidated by 1- the level of building experience required and 2- most seem to be more than what I really need. Sure they look AMAZEBALLS, but that next level design is totally out of my league.

MY REQUEST: How do I start? Where are good sources for plans for the type of coop I need? I know there isn't a magic bullet type answer but I'm a nervous novice and am afraid that I'm going to do bad by my ladies if I don't get this figured out.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Your best bet is to get a backyard storage shed and modify it; hardware cloth covered windows, a big window in the door, and a dig-proof foundation or perimeter. Second choice would be a very well built hoop coop, again with a foundation and hardware cloth. You will want at least 20 to 24 sq. ft. inside for your hens, plus more space for feed storage and stuff. Trying to do without a covered run will be a problem, because hawks, dogs, foxes, etc. will show up during the daytime. Mary

 

[Bryant Redhawk]

hau, Spillsomepaint, I will recommend that you go to either a book store or homedepot/ lowe's store and pick up at least one book on framing or if you see one, shed building. With this/ these, you will be able to see exactly how to build a building, it will also reduce the frustration level of tackling a project with out prior knowledge. Plus you will get some basic construction layouts.

I am usually around here during the week days and will be happy to offer my help (have been a master carpenter since 1973)

For your coop needs the first thing to do is set a firm figure of how many chooks you will be housing when you have your flock together. With no roo, you won't have broody hens hatching eggs (unless you buy hatching eggs for them to sit on). The basic rule of thumb is 4 sq. ft. per chicken That is a 2' x 2' piece of floor. You will need space for the Roost(s) poles which need to have 14" for each bird, these will be elevated from the floor. The nest boxes are best at 14" wide x 14" deep x 14" tall but 12" x 12" x 14" will work. Ours are just a bit off the ideal being 14" deep x 13.5" wide x 14" tall. One nest box will service 4 hens normally.

A coop is just a special purposed shed, We have ours raised with a floor and we use the deep litter method inside and out. To use the DLM all you have to do is seal the floor, there are several different ways to do that once the coop is built, waiting till after you have the walls up and roof on means you only have to seal it once. We go up the walls about 6" so there is no worry about leakage of droppings or water spills rotting the wood of the building.

 

[tsmith91]

To keep costs down you could build a coop out of pallets you can usually get them for free I just built one it was fairly easy to build and I'm no carpenter

 

[PapaChaz]

books as mentioned are good, but videos are even better. Google can really be your friend, as well as you tube. just research 'shed building' and you will find page after page and video after video of how to do just about everything. I'd suggest watching the videos of several different people, and pick up what tips each uses and see what you think you'll be most comfortable with.

As mentioned, there are plenty of us around who have done thiss for years and years and we are all more than willing to answer questions and get you pointed where you need to go!

good luck and keep us posted!