Building a chicken coop

[PirateGirl]

I will ask my husband but we are out of city limits and a neighbor just down from us has chickens....

You may not have too many rules then, but code would likely be the same for "sheds" or "accessory structures." You don't want to build your coop where there is a utility easement or setback for example.

 

[OhZark Biddies]

I like this one from the medium coops:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-chick-inn.73603/

Ahhh, I like that one too..we were just talking about this type of design on another thread the other day, but this one looks like more standard framing techniques ... I'll have to update that other thread with this "chick-inn" link.

I think that coop and the article are very well done. I particularly like the way they listed the priorities and built toward those. Ease of cleaning is a big one to think about.

A couple of things to search and read up on would be:

• poop boards
• deep litter method (DLM)

I'll mention that I like a roll out single compartment nest box, as it keeps the eggs clean and prevents some other issues, like egg eating and hens be fussy about sharing the nest box, etc. You can see my nest box in my coop article as an example.

Ok so when we bought the house this was here....

Anyone here think how maybe we could turn this into a chicken coop?

I think you could tear off the top and modify what's there to be a nice coop.

 

[foxtrotters19]

YES! You could either use the underneath space by closing it in or your could lower the whole thing (I wouldn't want to climb a ladder for cleaning or egg collection). And if you can't make one of those things work, you've certainly got some good free lumber!

Told my husband that and he said no no no all new stuff.... lol

 

[ChickenFox]

Told my husband that and he said no no no all new stuff.... lol

Wish I could find a hubby like that! He's a rare breed indeed!

 

[MissChick@dee]

Repurpose the wood on top. Make the bottom of the deck the roof. And SLOPE it.
Before you build...think of drainage!! Slope the bottom. Dig drainage canals if needed.
Before you build...lay down hardware cloth under your build (outside perimeter). To keep predators from digging in.

 

[foxtrotters19]

Wish I could find a hubby like that! He's a rare breed indeed!

He is pretty awesome, I was very surprised he wanted to build one, and really surprised after he said he wanted 6 hens.

 

[SixSlickChicks]

I originally wanted 4 as well but got 6 in case a couple didn’t make it. I sketched out a design I liked and my husband drew up the building plans. We modified many details along the way!

The footprint is 14x4 and the coop itself is 4x4 fully insulated with a slide-out floor. The back window props open and there are 3 vents near the ceiling. 3 nesting boxes with dishpan inserts, 2 2x3 removable roosts and a sliding pop door that I only keep closed at night during the winter.
Food and water is accessed externally by a couple gravity fed PVC pipes.

This setup houses 6 hens comfortably and they’re let out to free range once a day in the afternoon/evening.
Hope this helps to give you some ideas. Happy planning!

 

[FlyWheel]

Told my husband that and he said no no no all new stuff.... lol

He is pretty awesome, I was very surprised he wanted to build one, and really surprised after he said he wanted 6 hens.

Girl, you need to keep this man! LOL

 

[aart]

There was a thread not long ago about what people would do differently when building their coops if they could start over.....I can't find it, but this one is much that same:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicken-mistakes-coop-building-questions.139900/

Here's some on my notes:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

 

[rosemarythyme]

So its 4 sq feet per hen inside the chicken coop but I have also heard that bigger is better and 8 sq feet per hen in the run, right?

4 sq ft inside, 10 sq ft outside, but that's just a general guideline. Bigger is always better so if you have the means and space to do so, it'll work out better in the long run and even give you the option to add more in the future without having to change anything.

I also agree about checking with local building and animal ordinances. Don't assume that if someone down the street has 10 hens and a coop right up against the house that that's a permitted set up. So save yourself any potential headache and figure out all restrictions first.