Building a coop this weekend!

[newchknlvr]

Just looking for a few tips!

We do not plan on moving it, so does it need to be off the ground? We are going to move them to the garage when the snow comes. Do they need a lot of climbing things? I know my girls like to fly about, but I don't want them to fly out of their pen. I have Leghorns, and (I think) Red Sex-links, and 2 Bantams. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

 

[CarolJ]

Only one piece of advice: Although many regret making the coop too small, I have never heard of anyone who regretted making it too big. When it comes to chicken coops - go with the biggest you can.

 

[JackE]

There are a few different reasons to raise the coop. Give them shade in the afternoon, a place to get dust baths. But the MAIN reason for me, to raise the coop, is mice, rats and/or other pests love a nice dark hidden place to set up house. Get the coop off the ground so you can see whats going on under there, you won't regret it. depending on the height of your fence, and the wanderlust of your chickens, yes you may have an escapee or two (Or more). You may be able to control that by clipping a wing. Give them a big run, and they will be less likely to want to escape. Where do you live that makes you think you need to move the chickens in the garage in the winter? Chickens are perfectly suited to handle cold temps. Check out my coop below, Where I live, The temp can get in the single digits or lower sometimes, not counting wind chill. The front of my coop is open year round. The chickens have no problems with it. The summer heat is more of a concern.
Jack

 

[Rock Home Isle]

I hope that your Coop Project is completed on time...

When I built my coop, I was thinking 2 ... 3 days MAX, and 4 weeks later it was finally ready for chicks. I built my coop up off the ground and the pullets use it for shade during the heat of the day.

Make the coop a bit bigger than you think you'll need...that way if your flock grows you'll have room.



Here's a few more questions that you may want to mull over:

• Is there going to be food and water inside the coop? ...If so ...Where?
• How will you clean the coop?
• What litter system will you use?
• How will you clean the coop?
• Will the coop have power?
• How will you access the inside of the coop?
• How will the egg Boxes be accessed?

 

[newchknlvr]

I live in Northern New York, and with the amount of snow we can get at once, I just figured it would be better to put them in the garage so I don't have to worry about digging a tunnel from my house to their pen, from their pen to their run just so they can get out a bit. Or do they like the snow too?

We are not going to indepth with the coop, just going to make it a home they can sleep in.. I am hoping anyways. My husband and I were on the same page last weekend, but he might have changed his mind! We will find out for sure tonight when we go to Home Depot to get the lumber

 

[WaldensRidge]

Is that an in-ground trampolin I see? Awesome.

I hope that your Coop Project is completed on time...

When I built my coop, I was thinking 2 ... 3 days MAX, and 4 weeks later it was finally ready for chicks. I built my coop up off the ground and the pullets use it for shade during the heat of the day.

Make the coop a bit bigger than you think you'll need...that way if your flock grows you'll have room.



Here's a few more questions that you may want to mull over:

• Is there going to be food and water inside the coop? ...If so ...Where?
• How will you clean the coop?
• What litter system will you use?
• How will you clean the coop?
• Will the coop have power?
• How will you access the inside of the coop?
• How will the egg Boxes be accessed?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

It is indeed an inground Tramp. My kid's pet box turtles live under the trampoline...

I use the box trap to take care of maruading raccoons that are after my pullets and such.