Chicken Coop & Run Questions

[Durban4]

I have a 10x12 wood shed that has only three sides right now that I'm going to turn into our chicken coop. I'm planning on putting a fourth wall up with a door. My questions are what should the inside look like? There are ventilation gaps at the back corners all the way to the roof and than at the top along the roof line. Do I need more? Like windows? I'm starting off with nine hens, how many nesting boxes should I have and how far off the ground should they be? I will also be housing ducks in the same area at night, what kind of sleeping area should I make for them? Roosting poles, how many should I have and how far up? I've read so much on here and am just a bit overwhelmed. The run will be in two sections, one will be 14x12 and the other part will be 8x18. They can either have run of it all or be closed off in one or the other. I already plan on using hardware cloth for any gaps or vent areas in the coop and for the ground area. But, what can I get away with in the run area of they only have access to it during the day? I plan on digging a trench all the way around the perimeter and putting cement as well for extra security. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[StarTan VA]

Hard to tell how big your gaps are for vents. There should be enough air movement in there to keep the smell down and always fresh air supply. Just be sure you use that hardware cloth. Hens from what I've seen and read (newbie here) have different preference for roost height. Some are happy a few inches some like a foot or two. The window or a big enough vent to let light in would be a good idea as it will aid in egg production. The chickens need a certain amount of hours of light a day to maintain egg production throughout the year. It also lets them know when the suns coming up and to roll out of bed. There's so much info on this site it can be overwhelming. A lot times there's no wrong way of doing things as long as the chickens are happy. I'm not too sure about the ducks though but I don't see why they couldn't all love happy together as long as there's no aggression. I'm not sure what ducks need for a coop. And as far as how many roosting bars I allotted about 10-12 inches for each bird with extra. Hope maybe a little of this helps. Sounds like a good sized coop and run. With a coop that big you could do a lot. And I think 1 nesting box for every 5-6 hens is sufficient. You could do 2-3 to give them options.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Pictures would help here. If you're lucky enough to have the south side open already, Having a huge opening there is good. See the More open air coop designs in the coop section. Climate matters a lot. Alaska? Florida? Chickens need lots of ventilation, and have more issues with heat than cold. Ducks are very messy, and will make an environment that's just too wet for chickens. Mary

 

[Durban4]

 

[Durban4]

This is the existing structure and run that was already here when we moved in. The plywood you see up in the far right corner is just propped there to get an idea of what it would look like closed in.

 

[Durban4]

Also, I live in Washington state, on the northwest side.

 

[cstronks]

I would add windows not just for ventilation, but also for light. Light is extremely important for laying hens, as it will spur them to lay eggs. Ventilation is also key, as stagnant air and humidity can make a coop smell awful in the summer and lead to frostbite in the winter. You'll want both light and ventilation, so I would suggest adding windows to at least two sides of the coop. Cement around the bottom of the run will be a good idea. It should prevent predators from digging in. You can also put hardware cloth into the ground to prevent predators from entering the coop. Hopefully this helps. Best of luck with your build!

 

[Durban4]

I'm expanding the run all around the coop.