Coop Build

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RebelChief

RebelChief

Songster
6 Years
Mar 7, 2014
430
950
206
Brownsville, TX
So the coop is in progress. Still in the early stages so I welcome any and all suggestions. Right now we have the coop, an enclosed run and a fenced in area. 75642391_10162418190900114_8600842606340997120_o.jpg
 
Looks like you are off to a good start. One of the guidelines you'll hear from experienced chicken gurus is to allow 4 sqft / chicken as a minimum. With 8 chicks arriving you'll need a minimum of 32 sqft in the coop and 10sqft per chicken in the run. My advice is to build bigger than that while you still can! Like you, I'm retired and can spend a lot of time with my flock - and I'm already planning additions and building for the inevitable chicken math I was warned about...
 
NHMountainMan said:
Looks like you are off to a good start. One of the guidelines you'll hear from experienced chicken gurus is to allow 4 sqft / chicken as a minimum. With 8 chicks arriving you'll need a minimum of 32 sqft in the coop and 10sqft per chicken in the run. My advice is to build bigger than that while you still can! Like you, I'm retired and can spend a lot of time with my flock - and I'm already planning additions and building for the inevitable chicken math I was warned about...
Click to expand...
X2. If you don't account for chicken math from the get go, your coop will always be a "work in progress." It looks good for starters.
 
RebelChief said:
Hmmmm....I'll have to talk to the contractor today. I'm a bit small but I was only planning on 4 birds, not 8. I'm already behind. My coup is 21 SF at the moment. I will see if he can build out a bit more. Sigh...
Click to expand...
You already got hit by chicken math! If you're using a contractor, they should easily be able to bump out behind the location of the coop in the run, and having a larger under coop area gives them more rain protection, too. As you don't need to deal with winter, it'll be rare that you'll need to keep them inside the coop - but I'd still go as big as your can comfortably fit. You are going to really enjoy your new hobby!
 
NHMountainMan said:
You already got hit by chicken math! If you're using a contractor, they should easily be able to bump out behind the location of the coop in the run, and having a larger under coop area gives them more rain protection, too. As you don't need to deal with winter, it'll be rare that you'll need to keep them inside the coop - but I'd still go as big as your can comfortably fit. You are going to really enjoy your new hobby!
Click to expand...

I plan to put the in the coop at night. I have a small family of raccoons and possums in the area that I am worried about. I'm sure they can bump out the coop....it's all about the $$$.
 
RebelChief said:
I plan to put the in the coop at night. I have a small family of raccoons and possums in the area that I am worried about. I'm sure they can bump out the coop....it's all about the $$$.
Click to expand...

Understood on the $s for sure. And with a covered run, that under-coop space isn't as important. With the raccoons, how are you predator proofing the run area? Lots of tales on BYC about raccoons reaching through chicken wire. The good news is that you've joined a community of very helpful and supportive chicken owners.
 

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