Converting a 12x12 Lean-Lo to Chicken Coop

[RenaldoMoon]

Hello all. First thread here.
My family moved to more rural SE Michigan last year and we've got about 15 hens ready to start laying soon, and another 15 chicks so it's time to build the coop. Currently they're in the chicken tractor we used for meat birds in the spring overnight and free ranging our pasture during the day. We plan to keep them free ranging and won't be building a run.

I'm converting a 12x12 lean-to attached to my barn. Attached are a few pictures.
I'll figure out feed and water setup, but I'm curious what you all would recommend for roosting and nesting in this space. How many next boxes? (I'm thinking two sets of 4) How many lineal feet of roost?

The most ideal layout would be having all of the roosting on one end (probably left end, looking in from outside) and the nests on the opposite wall.

It's a little bit tight to fit three parallel roosts there with the two door ways, thought I could build supports out and partially block the doors. A three step ladder would fit better, but I hear one roost height is ideal if you can fit it. How much space do I need between bars, and how far from the wall?

Anyway, I'm open to other thoughts but will be taking action in the next few days or week.
How would you layout this space for around 30 free ranging hens?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I'd probably put the nest boxes along one wall and roosters along the other. I would build a ladder roost out of 2x4 and put the 4 up. Which way does that doorway face? What are your plans for winter?

 

[RenaldoMoon]

Doorway faces West, roughly.
I will put doors up with hardware cloth, then cover them for the winter. I have been told by friends around here that I don't need to worry about insulating the building.

You don't think ladder roosts present problems with pecking order/aggression/crowding?

 

[rosemarythyme]

8 nests should be fine.

Figure 1 linear ft per bird so three 10' roosts would meet your needs provided you don't expand past 30. Spacing-wise, I'd aim for a minimum of 12" from the wall for the nearest roost and then 14-16" horizontal between roosts (so if laddered, don't measure down the hypotenuse).

I do have ladder roosts and yes birds will prefer the top, but anyone who doesn't fit simply gets squeezed down. Still it's better to give them the option of enough roost space.

 

[Ridgerunner]

A 12x12, you have a lot of options.

For roost length I've seen anything from 7" per bird to 15" recommended. It's not like the chicken union has decided a certain number is required or they all go on strike. I've noticed the more chickens you have the less space per bird you need. The concept is easy, a chicken does not take up the full 12", if we use 12" to talk about. They leave empty space. The more chickens the more empty space for each one. Personally I'd try 2 each 12 feet roosts, that would give them an average of 9.6 inches each.

Especially without a run they may be hard to catch if you need to inspect or treat them. One way to make that easier is to take them off of the roost at night while it is dark. It is not that hard to take one off of a back row if you have two parallel roosts. It can be very hard if you have three parallel roosts. I'm Ok with the first roost 12" off of the coop wall and the next 12" from that but a little more won't hurt anything. If you are not happy with 24 feet length, instead of putting a third roost parallel to the others I'd wrap it around on the back wall so you have better access to the chickens at night.

I agree, 8 nests should handle 30 hens.

The way I handle height in a coop, I first determine the height of the floor, including any bedding. Then position the nests. Some people put them at or close to floor level, some more like waist height. That matters more to the people than it does to the chickens. Then position the roosts higher than the nests to encourage the chickens to sleep on the roosts instead of in the nests. In a coop your size 12" higher should be high enough. You do not want the roosts too high. Say you want to take one off of the roost at night, you want to be able to reach it. When they fly down they need sufficient landing room so they do not hit walls, nests, feeders, or something else. The higher they are the more room they need. Your coop should have plenty of landing area so that is not as big of a concern for you as for some but don't get ridiculous on the height.

Good luck, I think you will do OK.