Can I get some coop advice?

[DGandC]

While I could purchase the saw, I have to have a fort knox coop and run due to a huge variety of predators (including but not limited to bears, bobcat, foxes, raccoons, hawks, and dogs). So the hardware cloth for my run is already costing me $200- I've been hunting for scrap wood to no avail so far (I haven't given up yet!), but I can't go cheap on the hardware cloth or fencing. I actually looked for a used wooden play house to turn into a coop and they were also going for around $200 in my area (gotta love living near NYC- plastic was cheaper but I was concerned about wind blowing it over) so I went for my used coop. Most of the used coops are going for over $500 (new, pre-built are between $1,000-2,000) so I got lucky. I'm trying to keep my all-in cost under $500 for coop and run and it's going to be close without buying any tools.

I'm honestly glad to hear it *can* be done for cheaper though! I love reading a success story! I'm hoping I'll gain enough building experience making my run that I can build a bigger coop myself next year.

My advice on ventilation would likely not be useful since we are in S GA and we go for very open on the roost area. Heat and Ammonia are much bigger factors than Cold.

On Fencing, not sure hardware cloth is required. That stuff is expensive. Chickens are not pushers, and as long as the openings are small enough to prevent their going thru, you are better off buying fence for the predators, not the chickens. We use 2x4 welded wire and that works fine for Rhode Islands. Keeps out foxes, coyotes, bobcats and dogs. We have an 18" high run of small grade fencing at the bottom, since we do have chicks on occasion. We have a rooster. That will not be an issue with you.

Our biggest predators are Hawks and Opossums, so the top cover prevents that (yep, possums can climb fences). Not familiar with Bears at all. Would think t-poles sunk well into ground would be necessary for strength. Nothing completely stops the snakes, perhaps your cold weather will reduce snake issues, they like those eggs too. I just check the nests at the heat of the day, and keep a Grabber Stick (like used for picking up trash) to pull them off the nest.

FYI, we have 31 chickens. We use a small carport (henport) as their house with wooden fence sections to block the wind from the roosts. All that Fresh air really helps to keep them healthy.

 

[DEBRA56]

Morning from the Pacific NW. I have not been on here for quite some time so that tells you that things have been good with my flock of 6. Anyway, they need a run preferably covered with "deer netting" that can be purchased at hardware stores. That gives them a safe place away from flying predators, hawks & eagles. Mine free range every day after I let them out in the morning. They are locked in while they sleep & keeps raccoon's out. Some other predators can be skunks in some areas. Also, I don't want poop in my entire yard. The large areas they frolic in I can easily either pick it up or hose it down. I can't share pics here but can if you send my your email address. Would be happy to show you our setup.

 

[denisesoderlind]

I think your coop is great for 3 hens.
Put the food and water where they will not poop into it roosting and out of the rain and so they can still get though the doors and jump up to the roots.
I would let them out in a little temporary chicken wire pen supervised.
And then let them out, they will stick by the coop.
We have a shade tent which you might get for something to run under when the hawks cine by. And keep the coop open so they can hide in there also.
Our roosters sound the hawk alarm and the hens hide but roosters are a lot of work.

 

[Lilyput]

I have 12 chickens and one rooster in a 4 x 4 coop for overnight only. Two outside nesting boxes. (Hanging on the side of the coop) But the coop is in a 30 x 12 covered and partially sided run and then an additional uncovered run about 50 x 25. Coop very secure with wiring. Runs all have chain link fencing.

I would modify your coop by taking out the windows and wiring them. I think the biggest mistake new people make is not enough air.

I would wire the bottom of your deck and extend around your chicken coop. I think your chickens would enjoy going under the deck! and that would give you a lot more run space without taking up your yard.

I would feed and water near the deck with hanging water and feed and take the feed in every night.

With the few chickens you are getting you only need one box in or outside the coop.

 

[Lilyput]

 

[Lilyput]

sorry about my upload. Notice vent at top of coop and in addition there is a large vent on left side of coop (not showing in picture) which I can close in winter. The opening is filled with a wire door. I also leave the nesting boxed open at the top about an inch or two during the day. One other thing, its lined with linoleum. You may want to add that to your coop as it makes cleaning much easier.

 

[Lilyput]

 

[Lilyput]

Chain link gate to left opens to very large area all fenced with trees. They love forsythia on right where they hide out in heat of day; that's why I thought your chickens would like access to under your deck. The extra "junk" wire you see is for nursery run. I set up a dog crate with heater, etc. for young chicks and pullets when I have them in a smaller enclosed area within covered run.

 

[Hootie$]

The coop is ok for 4-5 birds, I feel. Just build a solid run, 10x10’. I kept my first flock inside for 6 months till they got too fat to fly over the 6’ fence. My blue healer-German shepherd is the best guard dog and she protects them from possums and coons. Get some rat traps and 1/4” hardware cloth for sure to prevent snakes and rodents. Do not leave feed out at night with the auto feeders it’s a big waste and attracts vermin. Shade should be provided and watering and cleaning the tank should be very convenient in location for you. Lots more lessons...
U definitely have extra nest boxes. The girls will pick their favorite spot and just block and use others for storage.

 

[GossChicks]

Sorry for the length...
I am a brand new, soon-to-be chicken keeper. As of right now, I have no chickens or chicks, but I do have a little coop. I have a bunch of questions and I'd love some help so I get started off right and I'm not scrambling or kicking myself down the line.

About my coop: I bought it used for $200 (I have a very small budget to start this adventure and could not spend $500+ on a coop alone right now). It is 3'x4' with 4 exterior nesting boxes on both sides for a total of 8 boxes making the width of the entire structure approximately 5'x4'. It has no run- I have to build that. This will not be my forever coop... but I had to start somewhere, right?

About my yard situation: According to town ordinance, I have to have a 100' setback from every property line to my coop location. That means I have one place on my property where my coop can go legally (even though it actually puts the coop right up against my house and closer to my neighbors' houses than if I placed it closer to my rear property line which is backed by woods, but that's neither here nor there at this point). No roosters are allowed. I am allowed up to 6 chickens. Free-ranging is allowed and I have an acre lot, but we have lots of predators and my yard is not currently fenced, so that probably won't be a normal thing.

Questions:
1. How many chickens can I fit in here? I'm hoping for 3-4 if I build a large enough covered run which would protect from weather.

2. Does the coop have enough ventilation or should I somehow add more? The windows do not open, there is just one "vent" on one side. Any suggestions for adding more if needed?

3. Any suggestions for a run design that will not completely overtake the view from my deck/inside of my house? I need to still see my kids in the yard. Should I spin the coop around and place the run near the taller section of my deck? I'd like to make a run that I can attach to this coop or any other coop I have in the future, so I'd like it to be nice and big or able to be expanded. Or should I go down the hill somehow? This will be my first attempt at building anything so I'd rather keep things on flat land if I can.

4. Where would you put the food or waterer in the coop? Since it's so small is there some way to not take up a bunch of floor space?

5. Do I need all 8 of the nesting boxes if I'm only having 3-4 hens? Is there some way to repurpose them into something better or is it best to leave lots of options for nesting?

6. How clean/sanitized does the coop need to be to house new chickens? I don't know if any of the previous owners' birds had any illnesses or anything. Is there a great way to get it really, really clean?

7. What else am I not thinking of?

Pictures (hopefully these post properly, it's my first time doing this):

View attachment 1767294 View attachment 1767295 View attachment 1767296 View attachment 1767297 View attachment 1767298 View attachment 1767299 View attachment 1767300 View attachment 1767302 View attachment 1767303

Sorry for the length...
I am a brand new, soon-to-be chicken keeper. As of right now, I have no chickens or chicks, but I do have a little coop. I have a bunch of questions and I'd love some help so I get started off right and I'm not scrambling or kicking myself down the line.

About my coop: I bought it used for $200 (I have a very small budget to start this adventure and could not spend $500+ on a coop alone right now). It is 3'x4' with 4 exterior nesting boxes on both sides for a total of 8 boxes making the width of the entire structure approximately 5'x4'. It has no run- I have to build that. This will not be my forever coop... but I had to start somewhere, right?

About my yard situation: According to town ordinance, I have to have a 100' setback from every property line to my coop location. That means I have one place on my property where my coop can go legally (even though it actually puts the coop right up against my house and closer to my neighbors' houses than if I placed it closer to my rear property line which is backed by woods, but that's neither here nor there at this point). No roosters are allowed. I am allowed up to 6 chickens. Free-ranging is allowed and I have an acre lot, but we have lots of predators and my yard is not currently fenced, so that probably won't be a normal thing.

Questions:
1. How many chickens can I fit in here? I'm hoping for 3-4 if I build a large enough covered run which would protect from weather.

2. Does the coop have enough ventilation or should I somehow add more? The windows do not open, there is just one "vent" on one side. Any suggestions for adding more if needed?

3. Any suggestions for a run design that will not completely overtake the view from my deck/inside of my house? I need to still see my kids in the yard. Should I spin the coop around and place the run near the taller section of my deck? I'd like to make a run that I can attach to this coop or any other coop I have in the future, so I'd like it to be nice and big or able to be expanded. Or should I go down the hill somehow? This will be my first attempt at building anything so I'd rather keep things on flat land if I can.

4. Where would you put the food or waterer in the coop? Since it's so small is there some way to not take up a bunch of floor space?

5. Do I need all 8 of the nesting boxes if I'm only having 3-4 hens? Is there some way to repurpose them into something better or is it best to leave lots of options for nesting?

6. How clean/sanitized does the coop need to be to house new chickens? I don't know if any of the previous owners' birds had any illnesses or anything. Is there a great way to get it really, really clean?

7. What else am I not thinking of?

Pictures (hopefully these post properly, it's my first time doing this):

View attachment 1767294 View attachment 1767295 View attachment 1767296 View attachment 1767297 View attachment 1767298 View attachment 1767299 View attachment 1767300 View attachment 1767302 View attachment 1767303

Sorry for the length...
I am a brand new, soon-to-be chicken keeper. As of right now, I have no chickens or chicks, but I do have a little coop. I have a bunch of questions and I'd love some help so I get started off right and I'm not scrambling or kicking myself down the line.

About my coop: I bought it used for $200 (I have a very small budget to start this adventure and could not spend $500+ on a coop alone right now). It is 3'x4' with 4 exterior nesting boxes on both sides for a total of 8 boxes making the width of the entire structure approximately 5'x4'. It has no run- I have to build that. This will not be my forever coop... but I had to start somewhere, right?

About my yard situation: According to town ordinance, I have to have a 100' setback from every property line to my coop location. That means I have one place on my property where my coop can go legally (even though it actually puts the coop right up against my house and closer to my neighbors' houses than if I placed it closer to my rear property line which is backed by woods, but that's neither here nor there at this point). No roosters are allowed. I am allowed up to 6 chickens. Free-ranging is allowed and I have an acre lot, but we have lots of predators and my yard is not currently fenced, so that probably won't be a normal thing.

Questions:
1. How many chickens can I fit in here? I'm hoping for 3-4 if I build a large enough covered run which would protect from weather.

2. Does the coop have enough ventilation or should I somehow add more? The windows do not open, there is just one "vent" on one side. Any suggestions for adding more if needed?

3. Any suggestions for a run design that will not completely overtake the view from my deck/inside of my house? I need to still see my kids in the yard. Should I spin the coop around and place the run near the taller section of my deck? I'd like to make a run that I can attach to this coop or any other coop I have in the future, so I'd like it to be nice and big or able to be expanded. Or should I go down the hill somehow? This will be my first attempt at building anything so I'd rather keep things on flat land if I can.

4. Where would you put the food or waterer in the coop? Since it's so small is there some way to not take up a bunch of floor space?

5. Do I need all 8 of the nesting boxes if I'm only having 3-4 hens? Is there some way to repurpose them into something better or is it best to leave lots of options for nesting?

6. How clean/sanitized does the coop need to be to house new chickens? I don't know if any of the previous owners' birds had any illnesses or anything. Is there a great way to get it really, really clean?

7. What else am I not thinking of?

Pictures (hopefully these post properly, it's my first time doing this):

View attachment 1767294 View attachment 1767295 View attachment 1767296 View attachment 1767297 View attachment 1767298 View attachment 1767299 View attachment 1767300 View attachment 1767302 View attachment 1767303

Reply: We have a small coop/pen combination, with 3 nesting boxes (which I turned into one large one by removing dividers). Our whole setup is about 6' x 4', the upper coop area being only about 4 sq feet. Our four chickens are fine in this setup. They have always slept very close together on one or two perches. This is way smaller than the recommended 3 sq feet per chicken. I usually leave the actual coop door open into the small pen; and in the morning they come down the ladder to the pen area, which I open very early in the morning. I close and lock the upper coop door. We have hardware cloth along the bottom of the pen as well to protect against predators. Our chickens have free-range of 1/3 of our yard. We keep them restricted to this area with a light fence made of bird netting and stakes. They hate the bird netting and do not fly over it (knock on wood). They are happy and spoiled. As you can see by the attached photo, we fortified the small coop with tarps mounted on and old gazebo frame since we were getting so much rain. Good luck. Enjoy your chickens. I sure do.