Coop build idea and questions

[rek9]

Hello,

We just got our first chicks less than a week ago (two barred rock) and will be getting four more soon ( one white leghorn, one golden laced Wyandotte and two Easter Eggers) and I still need to get the coop and run built. I had originally wanted to to do a slightly raised 4x8 coop due to having to make less cuts with the plywood and then have an 8x12 covered run. Explained the plan to the wife and she said that was too big, she wants a 4x6 coop with a 6x10 run. I know I could probably “get by” with the 6x10 plan but I don’t like to just get by. Just wondered what everyone’s thoughts were on this. Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?? Haha

 

[rek9]

https://carolinacoops.com/shop/american-coop/

Was thinking something like this

 

[townchicks]

You need to plan for chicken math. Why does your wife feel it is too big? Is she worried about cleaning it? go deep litter. Do you need to take out prized plants to make the bigger size? What are her concerns? maybe we can solve her worries.

 

[JurassicBawk]

At 6 chickens, the plan she wants put you just at the recommended 4 sq ft/chicken for their house and 10 sq ft /chicken for the run. That means no more chickens, no extra room for "what if." I can't free range where I am and have 4 chickens in a 10x10 run, and think it's almost too small for them. Technically they have plenty of room, but they get bored and start digging or making noise, then I have to fix things and/or entertain them. I'm with you... make it bigger so you've got some flex room. Hopefully you can see what her concerns are and maybe we can help, like townchicks said above.

 

[perchie.girl]

Her concerns are somewhat unfounded.... Betcha shes the first one to enter the relm of chicken math...

the Best logical explanation is that the square footage is a guide line... rule of thumb... so to speak... when they have to spend extended tim in their coop and run extra space is a must... Gives you flexible choices for care when you go on vacation... And all that.

deb

 

[purslanegarden]

I'd agree that if you have the space for it, the slightly larger build is better. Not because it is less cuts but because you'll be glad to have it! Raising chickens will get addictive and you'll want just one more chicken or three more, and that extra space will accommodate a few more.

Of course, it's also possible to build a second coop to house more population, too.

 

[rek9]

I agree with all of this, since we most likely won’t let the chickens out of the run I feel either having a wider coop, which would make the attached run wider, would hopefully help with stress and other related issues. Or if she is still stuck on the 4x6 coop I would like to have a longer run than 10 ft . Also I am planning on the deep litter method, seems like it would be the way to go.

 

[rek9]

Thanks for all the great replies, just FYI we are only allowed 6 hens and no rooster per ordinance, but we live way off the road and back up to a wooded creek area and have never seen any kind of inspector around..........so maybe having room for a couple extra birds isn’t a bad idea...

 

[Leaguinea]

You can never have too much room...
1 chicken = many more chickens, this is chicken math.
Personally if I had someone willing and able to build me a coop and run I would say have at it and build it as big as you like. The bigger the better

Good luck and have fun with you new chickens.

 

[kwhites634]

Hello,

We just got our first chicks less than a week ago (two barred rock) and will be getting four more soon ( one white leghorn, one golden laced Wyandotte and two Easter Eggers) and I still need to get the coop and run built. I had originally wanted to to do a slightly raised 4x8 coop due to having to make less cuts with the plywood and then have an 8x12 covered run. Explained the plan to the wife and she said that was too big, she wants a 4x6 coop with a 6x10 run. I know I could probably “get by” with the 6x10 plan but I don’t like to just get by. Just wondered what everyone’s thoughts were on this. Easier to ask for forgiveness than permission?? Haha

Either one will be too small by this time next year. Bets?