Coop Critique...Advice needed before Purchase

[chickencheeper]

hmm... that sounds more logical lol. But that still seems 4sqft seems so small!

The general rule is 4sqft in the coop and 10sqft in the run

 

[nminusyplusm]

x2 What everyone above said plus the run is too small for 4 to 6 chickens. Each bird needs 10 square feet of run in addition to the 4 sq ft of coop.

 

[ChickNanny13]

The general rule is 4sqft in the coop and 10sqft in the run

x2 What everyone above said plus the run is too small for 4 to 6 chickens. Each bird needs 10 square feet of run in addition to the 4 sq ft of coop.

It would be alot easier cleaning/maintaining if you can STAND comfortably in the Run. Door to access the Coop a huge plus too.

 

[aart]

I answered in this thread....

I would only keep 4 birds in a 4x6 coop.
I'd put a poop board and roost on 4' wall opposite run.
Nests underneath board with outside access on back of nest instead of top.
Increase all roof overhangs to 8-12"..good 2" overhang all around on nest roof too.
Add top hinged windows on all 3 sides, and large vent up high in coop wall under run roof.
You're in GA...so hot, correct??
I'd also put foam board insulation under metal coop roof, run roof too maybe, to deflect some solar gain heat from radiating downward.

Am torn about that door from coop to run, unless run is predator proof, I'd put pop door in it's place and put door to run in run wall instead.

but was thinking later, since customization is possible...
....also adding a foot to the height and 2' to the width would greatly improve the coop and run.

 

[ssramage]

x2 What everyone above said plus the run is too small for 4 to 6 chickens. Each bird needs 10 square feet of run in addition to the 4 sq ft of coop.

I plan to

I answered in this thread....


but was thinking later, since customization is possible...
....also adding a foot to the height and 2' to the width would greatly improve the coop and run.

Yes, thank you for your reply in the other thread. Your comment got me thinking and I thought the coop design specifically may get more traction here.


I'll confirm the height of the coop, but I think it was 5'. If it's 6' I should be good because I'm also thinking of laying it on a foundation of cinder blocks.

 

[aart]

I thought the coop design specifically may get more traction here.

Good move!

 

[igorsMistress]

Putting your coop on cinder blocks is a great idea. We did so and can use deep litter in there which isn't much work.
I agree with everone else, make everything tall enough for you to go in both coop and run without stooping, and a larger run for that many chickens.

Have you decided on breeds of chickens yet?

 

[ssramage]

Putting your coop on cinder blocks is a great idea. We did so and can use deep litter in there which isn't much work.
I agree with everone else, make everything tall enough for you to go in both coop and run without stooping, and a larger run for that many chickens.

Have you decided on breeds of chickens yet?

Probably a mix of RIR, Barred Rocks, and Auracaunas. Just the standard, first time chicken owner, egg layers.

For the run, this will be a start. Birds will have 5 acres to free range when I'm home and I plan to add an additional 5x10 wire dog kennel to the mix at some point.

Also, I'm not familiar with the deep litter method. How would that work?

 

[igorsMistress]

Deep litter is using whatever material for your coop/run floor and adding more carbon to the mix and stirring. Eventually it breaks down and you can use it in the garden.
Here's a link to an article:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...st-way-to-deal-with-chicken-litter-dlm.47740/

 

[ssramage]

Deep litter is using whatever material for your coop/run floor and adding more carbon to the mix and stirring. Eventually it breaks down and you can use it in the garden.
Here's a link to an article:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...st-way-to-deal-with-chicken-litter-dlm.47740/

Makes sense. Would I do this in the coop and the run? Or just the coop?