Building a coop as part of a barn... Ideas or experience, anyone?

[danielnv]

I am in the middle of expanding my barn, and will be making half the expansion into a coop for my chickens, guineas, Muscovies, turkeys, and geese. Actually, the ducks, turkeys, and geese are still in egg form, but I'm hoping I can keep all in the coop at night. I am planning an area about 12x16 for the coop, and will have a coop run attached to give plenty of room and outdoor summer roosting space. I am far enough off the road that I have been letting my guineas and chickens free range at will so far, and will continue this with the exception that I want to close them all up in the coop and run at night time and safety, and hopefully egg-laying.

I am planning to use t1-11 siding on all walls except the interior one that will have goats on the other side. There I will use chainlink or similar fencing to help with ventilation in summer.

I will be putting a drainage ditch around the entire barn to keep rain and snow from coming in, so I'm thinking a dirt floor will suffice.

Does this all sound ok so far?

 

[Bi0s]

HI from the VA moutains also

from what i read sounds like a real good plan for sure .. just make sure its Predator proof and you got good Ventilation.. keep us updated and post some pics..

 

[msudawgs56]

I began today building coops in an existing barn. Dirt floor and I will have individual runs built outside eventually! Sounds like you have a great Plan!

 

[remington3006]

just make sure the chickens and the turkeys dont go together maybe dived the coop because Turkeys carry merkes and chickens carry black head desies. I know it sounds stupid but i had a friend loose all his chickens and all but 1 of his turkeys because of it.

 

[danielnv]

Quote:
I am incubating all my eggs rather than purchase chicks or adults to add to my flock. I think this stops any disease, since sick birds won't hatch. Please correct me if I am wrong.