Building a new coop

[K0k0shka]

This is one serious coop! I love it. And I especially love the goats’ climbing structures

 

[junkman56]

I'm going to have my DH read this thread. Your set up is perfect for what I want him to build this coming spring. I only keep a flock of up to 12, so ours will be smaller, but I love this design! Thanks for sharing your plans and work progress with us!!!

Thank you.. I would build bigger if I was you, I built a smaller coop first time around, and now I built this one and tore the other down.

 

[ValerieJ]

Thank you.. I would build bigger if I was you, I built a smaller coop first time around, and now I built this one and tore the other down.

LOL We did too. First it was a 4x8 with 6 external nest boxes. Then I went from 6 chickens to 9, so we built an additional 4x4 coop and used both. Then I went to 12 chickens and bought a prefab that said it was big enough for 4, of course it wasn't. But, 6 of my chickens like the new coop and would cram in there for a while. Now we are going to an 8 x 10 walk in and keeping the two other hutches DH built. Putting the prefab on the burn pile. But, hey, it has last almost 2 years. 12 is the maximum amount of chickens I ever want, so even if I have a few extras as I'm bringing in new I'll have plenty of space.

 

[junkman56]

LOL We did too. First it was a 4x8 with 6 external nest boxes. Then I went from 6 chickens to 9, so we built an additional 4x4 coop and used both. Then I went to 12 chickens and bought a prefab that said it was big enough for 4, of course it wasn't. But, 6 of my chickens like the new coop and would cram in there for a while. Now we are going to an 8 x 10 walk in and keeping the two other hutches DH built. Putting the prefab on the burn pile. But, hey, it has last almost 2 years. 12 is the maximum amount of chickens I ever want, so even if I have a few extras as I'm bringing in new I'll have plenty of space.

I have 12 hens and 15 chicks still in the brooder, they will be 4 weeks monday, I'm hoping to get them into the coop in a couple weeks,

 

[aart]

I have 12 hens and 15 chicks still in the brooder, they will be 4 weeks monday, I'm hoping to get them into the coop in a couple weeks,

Do you have power in the coop?
You've got that great growout area in your coop, shame not to use it now to begin early integration:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[junkman56]

Yes I ran power to the coop,
I thought about placing a cuddle box inside the coop, for them to warm up in,
I'm not to sure about putting a heat lamp in there.

 

[ValerieJ]

I have 12 hens and 15 chicks still in the brooder, they will be 4 weeks monday, I'm hoping to get them into the coop in a couple weeks,

See? That's how I know half your size coop will work for me. Less than half the chickens running around.

 

[aart]

Yes I ran power to the coop,
I thought about placing a cuddle box inside the coop, for them to warm up in,
I'm not to sure about putting a heat lamp in there.

Where are they now, are they off heat?
Have they been outside at all?
Might be time for a heating pad set up:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[junkman56]

They are in my garage, with a heat lamp, I am going to start turning the heat off during the day this week,

 

[aart]

They are in my garage, with a heat lamp, I am going to start turning the heat off during the day this week,

Another good way to reduce heat is using a dimmer extension cord.
Have they been outside at all....or garage door opened during day?

Huddle box is a good idea, use it in the brooder then move to coop with them.
It would need to be pretty big for 15 chicks at 3-4wo.
Make them a 'huddle box', put it in the brooder after turning off the heat(you might have to 'persuade' them to use it) then move it out to the coop with them.

Cardboard box with a bottom a little bigger than what they need to cuddle next to each other without piling and tall enough for them to stand in.

Cut an opening on one side a couple inches from bottom and big enough for 2-3 of them to go thru at once.

Fill the bottom with some pine shavings an inch or so deep.

This will give them a cozy place to sleep/rest, block any drafts and help hold their body heat in.