Coop construction HELP

[GingerAndHerChicks]

Hi y’all!
We are in the process of building our coop and just want to see if there’s anything we can do better or anyone have suggestions for us. It is 4 feet width, 5 feet length, and 5 feet height. Run opening is 10 inch by 13 inches. Door will be 32 inch wide by 3 feet high. We plan to have two nesting boxes that will have an opening and easy access from outside. I am attaching photos of what we have so far which is Skelton of the construction so far.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I would just be sure to add in good ventilation once the walls are up. How many chickens will you have?

 

[GingerAndHerChicks]

I would just be sure to add in good ventilation once the walls are up. How many chickens will you have?

I don’t know how many or which ones will be hens/roosters yet, but 10 total at the moment as baby chicks. I plan on adding a window which will be great to open in the summer while still protecting them from predators, and then few vents at the top. Though not sure how those will look like yet or what material will be used. Thank YOU!

 

[MissE]

I don’t know how many or which ones will be hens/roosters yet, but 10 total at the moment as baby chicks. I plan on adding a window which will be great to open in the summer while still protecting them from predators, and then few vents at the top. Though not sure how those will look like yet or what material will be used. Thank YOU!

That coop will only be big enough for 5 birds, max, and you will need 1 square foot of year round ventilation per bird. Can you double it? Even if you don't end up keeping all 10, you may need the extra space.

 

[Yakisugi Coop]

I think it depends where you’re located. You might need 4 square feet per bird in cold places like Minnesota where they might be more likely to spend entire days in the coop in the winter. Our birds don’t do that—they only sleep and lay inside—so I think 3 square feet per bird would be fine for us. Either way, 10 birds in a 20 square foot coop does seem quite tight.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I don’t know how many or which ones will be hens/roosters yet, but 10 total at the moment as baby chicks. I plan on adding a window which will be great to open in the summer while still protecting them from predators, and then few vents at the top. Though not sure how those will look like yet or what material will be used. Thank YOU!

Like said above,your coop can only hold 5 max. Vents should be placed where they can be open during all seasons.

 

[Krugerrand]

By chance are your 10 chicks bantams? adopt a bird would let you get by with 10 bantams in 20 sq ft.

However, you'll still need sufficient perch space. Plus I'm not sure how much less ventilation you can get away with having smaller birds.

http://www.adoptabirdnetwork.com/topics/chicken-space-requirements

 

[GingerAndHerChicks]

That coop will only be big enough for 5 birds, max, and you will need 1 square foot of year round ventilation per bird. Can you double it? Even if you don't end up keeping all 10, you may need the extra space.

I like the idea of bigger too. We are making the coop with 6 sections (separately and then screwed together) so we can take it apart, add on and take it with us if we move.

 

[3KillerBs]

The usual guidelines:

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

4 square feet in the coop,​

10 square feet in the run,​

1 linear foot of roost,​

And 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.​

It's always easiest to build in multiples of 4 feet because those are the sizes that lumber comes in.

Open soffits and ridge or gable-peak vents are the most popular, but I love the Monitor Roof on my current coop.

Where, in general, are you located? Climate matters a lot.

 

[GingerAndHerChicks]

By chance are your 10 chicks bantams? adopt a bird would let you get by with 10 bantams in 20 sq ft.

However, you'll still need sufficient perch space. Plus I'm not sure how much less ventilation you can get away with having smaller birds.

http://www.adoptabirdnetwork.com/topics/chicken-space-requirements

2 of them are yes, but because their straight run we don’t know how many will end up being Roos/hens. Their only 3 weeks ish.