Brahma coop designs that aren't humongous

[Jtritelli]

Hey everyone, I'm in the process of looking as different coops for my brahma chickens all of the ones I've seen online are way too small and a lot of the diy ones are huge. I have 1 Brahma Roo and 2 hens in addition to 2 other Speckled Sussex hens. Can someone give me some ideas on how to build a coop or some where I can find a premade one that would be big enough plans and pictures would be extremely helpful

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC! I love Brahmas and used to have a Light Brahma rooster with the loveliest, deep-toned crow.

My Little Monitor Coop has housed Brahmas comfortably -- though it's a little too small for 5 chickens.

It could be expanded either lengthwise or widthwise, but you'd want to enlarge the access door. If you expanded lengthwise you'd want to move the access door to the long wall.

One thing with Brahmas is to make sure you've got enough distance for them to do their falling-with-style thing that passes for "flight" up and down from the roof without banging into the walls.

Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters and some materials/resources are locally-available/locally-unavailable.

 

[Alaskan]

a lot of the diy ones are huge

But... huge is great!

It gives you so much more flexibility.

If a terrible storm rages through all chickens can stay in the coop for a week.. happily!! Lots of space for various feed and water locations.

if you truly do not need that extra space for chickens..
Half could be for feed storage, garden storage, whatever... or a greenhouse.... or......

 

[Jtritelli]

Welcome to BYC! I love Brahmas and used to have a Light Brahma rooster with the loveliest, deep-toned crow.

My Little Monitor Coop has housed Brahmas comfortably -- though it's a little too small for 5 chickens.

It could be expanded either lengthwise or widthwise, but you'd want to enlarge the access door. If you expanded lengthwise you'd want to move the access door to the long wall.

One thing with Brahmas is to make sure you've got enough distance for them to do their falling-with-style thing that passes for "flight" up and down from the roof without banging into the walls.

Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters and some materials/resources are locally-available/locally-unavailable.

I'm in the Eastern Panhandle of WV. I was thinking of converting a child's play house into a coop for them. That would for sure give them enough space but won't be an " eye sore " I'm my subdivision

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm in the Eastern Panhandle of WV. I was thinking of converting a child's play house into a coop for them. That would for sure give them enough space but won't be an " eye sore " I'm my subdivision

You could search the "Small Coops" section of the coop pages for playhouse conversions to get inspiration.

 

[aart]

I was thinking of converting a child's play house into a coop for them. That would for sure give them enough space but won't be an " eye sore " I'm my subdivision

Ehhh, not sure I've seen a playhouse that would house 5 large birds.
Are you allowed to have chickens in your neighborhood?
Any restrictions on size and setbacks?

Eastern Panhandle of WV.

Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[aart]

But... huge is great!

It gives you so much more flexibility.

If a terrible storm rages through all chickens can stay in the coop for a week.. happily!! Lots of space for various feed and water locations.

if you truly do not need that extra space for chickens..
Half could be for feed storage, garden storage, whatever... or a greenhouse.... or......

Ditto Dat!!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I'll always recommend building the biggest coop you can get away with, and repurposing any "extra" space as needed. I'm also a big fan of 4s and 8s - sizes of bought off the shelf plywood, etc. Cutting sucks.

If you look at my Sig below you will see I have Brahma (3 more than that a couple days ago, there was a culling). They **can** be big birds, but it takes a long time for them to get there. Mine are coming up on a year of age, they aren't substantially bigger in weight (though they are heavily feathered fluff balls) than my Rainbows (think 2nd tier red rangers). The difference is a 7.5# brahma vs a 5.5# or 6# Rainbow. My CornishX rooster was over 13# at half the age, and my remaining CornishX pullet/hen (in five weeks) is easily 11#.

What I'm saying here is that Brahma are slow to grow into their eventual full size. If your purpose is "pets" (and they are beautiful birds) then by all means, build big now for their future. If your purpose is something else - eggs or meat - then I'd suggest you picked a poor breed, and don't need to concern yourself with "maximum/full grown" sizes, as you should cull long before they reach that marker.