coop behavior

[tridentk9]

I'm about to start retrofitting the garden shed to include chicken space. The shed is 12 X 12 but I'll still need tool and storage space. I'll be using dog run panels as coop walls and adding hardware cloth to the lower halves. The indoor panels are a 6 footer with a gate and another one without a gate. Chickens will be cochin and crevecoer. Now that I've set up the background ....

Do chickens prefer a square space or a rectangular space. I can do a 6 X 6 indoor space or a 3 by 12 foot long space. Both setups give a 36 sq foot space but which is chicken preferable?

Plans are for the outside space to be a 12 X 12 square, half covered for shade and rain cover, half covered with just a chain link panel.

I've been telling myself I need to clean out the shed, now I have a good reason!

 

[Judy]

They won't care about the shape, but you might, when you try to get inside to clean, find a secreted egg or a hiding chicken.

Be sure the chicken side has good ventilation. Minimum is about 1 sq ft per chicken, including winter. An' overhanging roof is handy to keep weather out.

Or if you are not in a heavy snow area, you may not even need a fully enlosed coop; a 3 sided structure is preferable where I live. It's a good idea to give a general location in your postbit; it comes in handy for a lot of questions, particularly about coops.