Chicken coop

[WindingRoad]

Isn't it interesting how many people can give definitive answers when they don't even know your situation? Where are you so we have an idea of climate? That's important information. How big is that fenced in area and how predator proof is it? What does the fence look like? What will the flock look like and why do you want them? Will you be breeding, raising young chicks, have one or more roosters" Are they for eggs, pets, or something else? What size coop were you planning on?

Tell us something about what you have to work with and what you hope to accomplish with them. There may be a way to make it work, there may not. I don't know enough about your unique situation to be able to say one way or another.

Your's is post # 10. Many of us have asked the same questions and still await a reply. Interesting how people ( not just here) already have their minds made up. They don't always want advice.

 

[aart]

They don't always want advice.

Or they are new and not familiar with site yet....or they work all day and have families to care for after working all day.

 

[Wolf89]

Where are you so we have an idea of climate? That's important information. How big is that fenced in area and how predator proof is it? What does the fence look like? What will the flock look like and why do you want them? Will you be breeding, raising young chicks, have one or more roosters" Are they for eggs, pets, or something else? What size coop were you planning on?

Mid eastern NC. I'm not good with measurements, but I'd say it is at least 30x80feet, though that may not be too accurate, I'll try to measure tomorrow it's just a 4 foot tall chain link fence. Has a good amount of tree cover, but no other predator proofing. Mainly for eggs, but maybe after a while, add a rooster and raise some chicks. I do not yet know the size of coop, though I want at least 20 chickens, so pretty sizable.

 

[HopeSprings]

Mid eastern NC. I'm not good with measurements, but I'd say it is at least 30x80feet, though that may not be too accurate, I'll try to measure tomorrow it's just a 4 foot tall chain link fence. Has a good amount of tree cover, but no other predator proofing. Mainly for eggs, but maybe after a while, add a rooster and raise some chicks. I do not yet know the size of coop, though I want at least 20 chickens, so pretty sizable.

I'm new to chickens, too! So I'm researching amap and heeding those in-the-know! The consensus is 4 square feet per bird for the coop and 8 to 10 square feet per bird for the run. I have 17 chicks coming in May, plan to rehome extras to get to 12 (yeah, I know!). My coop plans are for a 10' x 6' coop with the nesting boxes outside of the coop (inside the conjoined shed). The run might be a little smaller than recommended, but I do plan on free-ranging as much as possible.

 

[HopeSprings]

Mid eastern NC. I'm not good with measurements, but I'd say it is at least 30x80feet, though that may not be too accurate, I'll try to measure tomorrow it's just a 4 foot tall chain link fence. Has a good amount of tree cover, but no other predator proofing. Mainly for eggs, but maybe after a while, add a rooster and raise some chicks. I do not yet know the size of coop, though I want at least 20 chickens, so pretty sizable.

I'm new to chickens, too! So I'm researching amap and heeding those in-the-know! The consensus is 4 square feet per bird for the coop and 8 to 10 square feet per bird for the run. I have 17 chicks coming in May, plan to rehome extras to get to 12 (yeah, I know!). My coop plans are for a 10' x 6' coop with the nesting boxes outside of the coop (inside the conjoined shed). The run might be a little smaller than recommended, but I do plan on free-ranging as much as possible.

 

[HopeSprings]

Mid eastern NC. I'm not good with measurements, but I'd say it is at least 30x80feet, though that may not be too accurate, I'll try to measure tomorrow it's just a 4 foot tall chain link fence. Has a good amount of tree cover, but no other predator proofing. Mainly for eggs, but maybe after a while, add a rooster and raise some chicks. I do not yet know the size of coop, though I want at least 20 chickens, so pretty sizable.

I'm new to chickens, too! So I'm researching amap and heeding those in-the-know! The consensus is 4 square feet per bird for the coop and 8 to 10 square feet per bird for the run. I have 17 chicks coming in May, plan to rehome extras to get to 12 (yeah, I know!). My coop plans are for a 10' x 6' coop with the nesting boxes outside of the coop (inside the conjoined shed). The run might be a little smaller than recommended, but I do plan on free-ranging as much as possible.

 

[WindingRoad]

I'm new to chickens, too! So I'm researching amap and heeding those in-the-know! The consensus is 4 square feet per bird for the coop and 8 to 10 square feet per bird for the run. I have 17 chicks coming in May, plan to rehome extras to get to 12 (yeah, I know!). My coop plans are for a 10' x 6' coop with the nesting boxes outside of the coop (inside the conjoined shed). The run might be a little smaller than recommended, but I do plan on free-ranging as much as possible.

Remember winter. If you can't free range the run might be too small. As you like to think ahead just a reminder. Good luck.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Welcome, Wolf89!

I've learned a couple of reasons why adequate space is important. Chickens can fight each other if they don't have enough room, and they are more vulnerable to diseases. The litter can get too dirty, faster than it will compost. I'd guess all that would interfere with egg production; almost everybody here has more experience than me; I'm just in the reading and researching phase, like HopeSprings.

 

[HopeSprings]

Remember winter. If you can't free range the run might be too small. As you like to think ahead just a reminder. Good luck.

Winters here are pretty mild. If it snows, you better get out and enjoy it before lunch! My neighbors all free-range year-round.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Even in a mild climate, chickens need a sheltered place to sleep at night. And that space needs to have enough room in it for all of them. There's a reason you see those minimum size recommendations.