Building my 1st coop

[ncffp163]

This is my 1st coop that I'm building. It's 4'X6' and 48" tall on high side with 3 nests. More pics tomorrow. How many chickens could it house?

 

[loveourbirds]

6-8 depending on run. if you don't add a run I wouldn't exceed 5.

looks good so far, keep in mind its easier to keep chickens in than predators out.

best of luck,
brian

 

[strssdmom]

I would say 6-7 tops. The general rule is 4 sq. ft. per bird in the coop, unless they are bantams. You also want to have 10 sq. ft. per bird in the run, unless you are free ranging them.

The coop looks awesome. I am thinking about building a second coop and using that style of coop. You are doing a great job. Hope you enjoy your chickens!

 

[aart]

Might want to drop the nest boxes down a bit ( half the existing distance to the floor), so your roost can be higher than the nests so they don't roost and poop in the nests.
I love the nice big overhang on the roof!

 

[ncffp163]

Thanks aart...I had seen another post (here I think) that said to set the nest boxes 16-18" from the floor. I put these about 14" from the floor. So I need to drop it to about 7"? The way I have the nest boxes mounted is flush with the outside edge of the wall.

 

[ncffp163]

Caught this one this morning while I was getting more lumber out of my shop. It was lying on top of one of the shop lights. Handed it off to my son to turn it loose back in the woods.

 

[laseterlass]

Caught this one this morning while I was getting more lumber out of my shop. It was lying on top of one of the shop lights. Handed it off to my son to turn it loose back in the woods.

pretty.no snakes in Alaska.

 

[4 the Birds]

Thanks aart...I had seen another post (here I think) that said to set the nest boxes 16-18" from the floor. I put these about 14" from the floor. So I need to drop it to about 7"? The way I have the nest boxes mounted is flush with the outside edge of the wall.

Wow! Big snake! The snakes that I find here on our land are more like giant worms. You could even mount your nest boxes on the back side and lower since the front has more head room for a roost bar (provided you don't mind collecting at the back side). Nice build!

 

[aart]

Thanks aart...I had seen another post (here I think) that said to set the nest boxes 16-18" from the floor. I put these about 14" from the floor. So I need to drop it to about 7"? The way I have the nest boxes mounted is flush with the outside edge of the wall.

I don't know that the height of the nest boxes from the floor is critical, but I do know that if your roosts are not higher than the nests they will roost in the nest boxes and poop in them and that if the roosts are too close to the ceiling they won't be comfortable and maybe not use them.

 

[loveourbirds]

I don't know that the height of the nest boxes from the floor is critical, but I do know that if your roosts are not higher than the nests they will roost in the nest boxes and poop in them and that if the roosts are too close to the ceiling they won't be comfortable and maybe not use them.

the main issues with perch height and nest box height is large breeds will injure themselves if its to high. a hen will lay in a nest box that is on the ground. I typically raise mine (when I use them) to about 8-10 inches from the floor.

if you are raising bantam breeds the height does not matter as much. I have found with full blooded Cornish that anything over 3 or so feet is bad for their legs. when they come off the roost or out of the nest box, they injure themselves.

the main thing is, keep the roost above the nest boxes. usually 6-8 inches will work, a foot if you have the room is great. think about where you are putting your feed/water before putting in your perch, do not put it over that area. unless you have time to clean up that mess every day.