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[SHELLY556]

Poison for the ants or something else? Will the chicks be in that area? If you have a coop on legs you would need to set the eggs in oil or something so the ants can not get in your coop. Likewise that the chicks can not get into the deterrent. You might want to check with your county agent on best protection and coop build to prevent ant invasion.

The coop is planned for an area we have never had ants....but this south Texas and we have to be vigilant. They can pop up anywhere, we are use to keeping them under control. I will check with the agent for the county.

 

[blackdog043]

I would also recommend a shed, 8 x 10 would be a good size for 15 chickens. You would still need to add ventilation, windows, nest boxes and a roost though. If your handy, you could make your own shed.

You would need 2 - ? prefabs to hold 15 full size chickens, depending on the coop only size, not counting nest boxes. I only looked at the dimensions of the second prefab. The actual coop space, not counting nest boxes is 28.5” long x 22.5″ wide. Measure that out and see how big it is and see if you think 15 or how many chickens would fit comfortably. 1 ft of roost space is recommended per chicken, especially in a warmer climate.

 

[SHELLY556]

I know that the picture is just of a run attached to a garage, but what about something like this but with sides? We have a pump house in our yard, and this could be attached to the side. OR do they need something less open as their night time confinement?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

You're in Texas, seems airflow and good shade to would be key. Maybe a wind blocked area for roosting.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I don't think you'd really even need sides. Just a wind protected area. The more open the better as much as climate allows.

Here in the north east we struggle to get enough airflow without snow coming in. But you shouldn't face that issue!

 

[StacyWilliams950]

The chicken bungalow you showed pictured is small. I have one. Would not put more than 3 or 4 chickens in it even though it said 6. I got mine from MYPETCHICKEN website. Was cheaper than chicken saloon. It was surprisingly well made for a prefab. Ventilation is sufficient.

 

[JDN]

I know that the picture is just of a run attached to a garage, but what about something like this but with sides? We have a pump house in our yard, and this could be attached to the side. OR do they need something less open as their night time confinement?

Shoot for something like that. Add a few nest boxes and roosts and go on your merry way. People convert carports, etc, for their coops. I would board up the ends and the first section at either end of the long side.

Alternatively, a shed from a big box store would work.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I imagine in Texas heat an open air coop would be ideal for ventilation in the summer. My current little coop is open on 3 sides and we get a lot of rain and light snow. As others have noted find out which direction you mainly get winds from and maybe block that with some plywood or something. Add roosts and nest boxes and you're set.

 

[SHELLY556]

This is the coop my husband ended up building. It still needs some tweaks inside but is working well so far. They are only in it for night now. They stay out from 6am till 8:30pm. Pretty hot during the day, so they do go back and hang out in the hoop till afternoon time.

 

[JDN]

Very Nice!