Building coop, need advice on nest box

[Kataloo]

I am building a coop similar to the Witchita Cabin. It has an elevated 4x4 coop, a covered 8 foot run, and I'm adding a closet. I am going to insulate it and am building a solar panel to help with the heat in the winter. (It will be removed in summer.) I have 4 chickens. 2 B.O. and 2 EEs. That is the most I will ever have due to city policy.

Here is my question:

If I have an exterior next box, will that be a major source of heat loss during the winter? Will the chickens even use it during winter months because of laying less during that time. I assume it would be colder than the rest of the coop. I don't want to run electricity to the coop, hence the solar panel.

If I build it inside the 4x4 coop will that take up too much room? I already have 3 sides of the coop up.

Thanks for the help.

 

[countrygirl345]

Do you mean 4x4 foot? Because that isnt much room for your chickens. Im not sure what the exact rule is for how much room a chicken needs, but it seems tight. I would put the nest box inside if it were me, but putting it outside seems like your only option. It shouldnt be a huge deal, but it will get cold sometimes.

 

[iwiw60]

Need some pictures, please! Yes, a 4' x 4' coop is small, even for 4 birds. So if your coop really is only 4' x 4' you won't have a heating problem at all in the winter, in fact you should be looking at ventilation as your main problem, not heat. The body heat your birds will produce in such a small space might be a problem. Please post some pics!

 

[Phoenixxx]

How tall you are building will also be a factor. Vertical space will help with air quality/humidity while also giving you more interior design options. Plus chickens love it!

 

[Kataloo]

Thanks for the speedy response.

I will get some pics today and post. The dimensions are 4 feet wide, by 4 feet deep, by about 6 feet tall at the top of the pitched roof. That's four square feet per bird. The run is 8 feet by 6 feet, with some extra space under the elevated coop. Sounds like it will be best to put the next box outside. Will the eggs freeze? Will it be cold enough that the chickens won't use it?

I plan on putting ventilation vents about 5 feet up, in the roof area. Do I need it any lower than that? I will have two windows in the main walls to open during summer.

 

[iwiw60]

Your ventilation plans sound good. And yes, with that size coop it would be to your benefit (and theirs) to have the nesting boxes outside. And no, your eggs won't freeze if you go out and gather several times a day during super cold weather!

 

[topdog24]

I am building a coop similar to the Witchita Cabin. It has an elevated 4x4 coop, a covered 8 foot run, and I'm adding a closet. I am going to insulate it and am building a solar panel to help with the heat in the winter. (It will be removed in summer.) I have 4 chickens. 2 B.O. and 2 EEs. That is the most I will ever have due to city policy.

Here is my question:

If I have an exterior next box, will that be a major source of heat loss during the winter? Will the chickens even use it during winter months because of laying less during that time. I assume it would be colder than the rest of the coop. I don't want to run electricity to the coop, hence the solar panel.

If I build it inside the 4x4 coop will that take up too much room? I already have 3 sides of the coop up.

Thanks for the help.

If you still like one wall having the coop finished, cut holes in the panel to allow access to the boxs from the inside and mount your boxs on the outside with a hinged top so you can gather the eggs from there, the boxs will be warmed from the inside,plus you will have access to the boxs without entering the coop which sounds kind of small even for four chickens, The end result would preserve the square footage per bird at present and it would also be like having the boxs inside.

 

[countrygirl345]

I looked it up, u need 10 square feet per large bird, and u are at 4 per bird. Your coop can technically hold 1 bird, with 16 square feet.

 

[TomGallopavo]

I always thought it was 4 sqft inside and 10 sqft outside (per bird)? I have 8 chickens now with 7 chicks (hen and chicks in the run), plus two broodies sitting on 8 eggs each. The coop is 8x8 and the run is 24x8 plus under the coop. I free range anyway so it doesn't really matter, they only sleep and eat some in there. I would build the egg box out the side so you could get the eggs without going in. I would not bother insulating it, they will be fine...even better without it.

 

[JustHenny]

If you put a piece of corrugated metal roof on the the outside of the nest box area, it draws heat from the sun there. Even in winter. Just make sure its metal or dark colour and bind the edges with duct tape or something as they can be VERY sharp. Places like menards and lowes usually carry or can order for you. And then in summer you can remove if necessary.