Chicken Coop for a total newbie!!

[MrsHomeschool]

Hi all! This is my very first post here, but I have been reading messages for the past month as I got ready to embark on my chicken raising journey. My family & I purchased our hens today (6 red pullets, 2 black sexlinks, & 2 dominques) - and are trying finish up our chicken coop/run area now. We have 2 wooden storage sheds out back, & we are going to be using one for the coop. It is an 8x14. We are also attaching kennel fencing (about 10x15) to the front of the shed & sealing the top with chicken wire. We were thinking of just leaving the coop door open all the time since it will be attached to the run, and that would make up for having no windows....but now I'm second guessing myself. Should I put the hens inside the coop at nighttime, or is it ok to leave the coop door open all the time? If it is necesary in either circumstance to have windows in the coop, do they need to be glass or plexiglass? Or would chickenwire provide better ventilization? Thanks!!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

It all kind of depends on where you are. You need some ventilation. Lighting or windows. I think you are going to have plenty of room for your chickens inside and out but if you are going to leave the coop door open, I would go with more than just chicken wire for the top. I used 2x4 welded wire. You will also need to add an apron/skirt around the bottom of the run so nothing gets under it either.

Let us know where you live and we can give you better info on what you need to spiff up your coop

 

[mariel37]

Need windows - need ventilation if you are in a place that gets hot and humid -

I guess the way I look at it is: would I want to be in this box at night during summer with no windows/air circulation?

 

[MrsHomeschool]

We live in North Carolina. We are thinking now that we are going to keep the shed doors closed, & cut a little hen door on the side of the building & add the run over there. We are going to add a few windows to that side of the building too - to allow some light to come in, and provide better ventilation. I went back outside earlier & noticed how dark the shed was & decided that I did need those windows afterall. Should we close the access to the run at night time & keep the hens just in the coop til the morning time, or does it matter?

Thanks!!