Chicken Coop Protection

[KluDatCoop]

Can I use this hardware cloth for the coop?

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sta-Green-...g-Black-Polypropylene-Hardware-Cloth/50119481

I also would NOT recommend this.

Here's the link to what I used.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Blue-Hawk-...mmon-10-ft-x-3-ft-Actual-10-ft-x-3-ft/4780945

 

[aart]

Plastic mesh not good.
Amazon is the cheapest place to get decently large rolls of HC.

 

[Mohib Rizvi]

Also this is how far I have got on my coop so far.....
Any suggestions?

 

[aart]

Oh, that's tiny...if it's 1.5' off the ground, there's hardly room for 1 chicken.

 

[Mohib Rizvi]

It is a bit tiny because initially looking at it, I thought it would be a good size but after putting it up it is a bit small. I also have to make a run which will attach to the coop. I'm not planning on keeping more than 4 chickens but start off with 2 and evaluate from there.

 

[Dayrel]

"Standard" spacing for home-raised chickens is at least 4sqft in the coop plus 10sqft in the run per chicken.

It is hard to tell from your pictures, but you want to provide good ventilation at all times, even in winter.

 

[aart]

It is a bit tiny because initially looking at it, I thought it would be a good size but after putting it up it is a bit small. I also have to make a run which will attach to the coop. I'm not planning on keeping more than 4 chickens but start off with 2 and evaluate from there.

Yeah, it's hard to believe how much space they take up until you've had them.
The 4/10 sqft rule of thumb is minimal, IMO.
You'll need about 1 foot of roost length for each average sized bird.
I suggest using a 5 gal bucket to represent each adult chicken when laying out spaces.

What is your climate/location?
That can make a difference.

Ventilation and Space are important first factors to consider before building.
Here's a couple good things to read:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Mohib Rizvi]

I am located in Maryland. The weather here is unpredictable.

The measurements for my coop size at the moment are 3.5x3 which is about 10.5 square feet. I am assuming that is enough for 2 chickens. My roost is 25 inches which I believe should be fine as well for 2 chickens. Now what I am thinking is if I ever want to add 2 more chickens because 4 in total is the most I plan on having, what I can do is add an extension which will make my coop about 17.5 sq ft giving each chicken about 4.3 sq ft.

 

[andreanar]

I would go bigger. I would also put in more ventilation.

 

[aart]

I am located in Maryland. The weather here is unpredictable.

The measurements for my coop size at the moment are 3.5x3 which is about 10.5 square feet. I am assuming that is enough for 2 chickens. My roost is 25 inches which I believe should be fine as well for 2 chickens. Now what I am thinking is if I ever want to add 2 more chickens because 4 in total is the most I plan on having, what I can do is add an extension which will make my coop about 17.5 sq ft giving each chicken about 4.3 sq ft.

I thought you said the coop was raised a foot and a half?

My coop is about 1.5 feet off the ground.

That's what I was using for scale, thus presuming that the coop floor was about 1.5 x 2.
3.5 x 3 is better but still, it's going to be hard to cram a nest, a roost(1 foot higher than nest and 1 foot away from wall), feed and water all into that space and still have room for them to get up and down from the roost. It's hard even with a 4x4 that many folks use.
It's hard to properly ventilate a small coop too. Need at least one window(top hinged is best) and some year round ventilation protected by a good roof overhang.

You might be able to pull it off, then build a larger coop and use this one for growing out chicks.