Coop design feedback? Big enough for how many chickens?

[wrenhen]

Nice sketches!

Go with bigger roof overhangs all around.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @dingobaby
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View attachment 2668639

Oh thanks! Just added it

 

[wrenhen]

You've got a good sketch up for your coop. It appears to be well thought out and very functional for the birds. A few of my thoughts:

1. I agree with others that it needs to be bigger. Following the sq ft rule for 16 birds, 64 sq ft is ideal, but you could likely get away with 3 sq ft per bird.
2. Lumber prices. Right now, they are sky high so be thoughtful in your design regarding wasted materials. For the floor, instead of a 6x5, I would try to push it out to 8x6....Even up to a 8x8. No matter what, you're buying 2 sheets of plywood for the floor, try to maximize it. The siding is the same way. I would at least keep with even numbers so you can split a sheet and utilize the whole thing.
3. Venting. Instead of drilling holes, I would cut large rectangular openings that you can close or open as needed. While the holes work, they really do not provide many sq inches of venting. A 3" diameter hole is approximately 7 sq inches. If you were to have 3 vents between each roof rafter you'd have 21 sq inchses. If you your rafters were 16" on center and you just screened the opening between the two rafters, you'd have about 50 sq inches.

Like I said, your idea and sketches are awesome. Realistically, you're 95% there on the design with some minor adjustments needed.

My family (I) am in the process of building our coop. My wife said 8 hens and that's what she got. Chicken math worked out perfect and I started with a single piece of plywood for the floor. Minimizing waste, this size (or 4x6 or 8x8) makes framing the walls and skinning them with T1-11 very efficient and fast.

Hope these suggestions help. Please keep us posted on any other thoughts or as you build!

Thanks! I will definitely rethink the top ventilation. Maybe even add the closing flap you were talking about with some holes for winter? (holes still because winter here is 40's, 50's)
And definitely changing the dimensions based on feedback, super helpful

 

[21hens-incharge]

I was thinking the run could be 10 ft x 5 ft = l x w. They would have access to the run at all times, but then I was going to open up the entire backyard to them when I can supervise. I'm gonna lay out some string to get a visual for how big I have currently, and maybe expand if I can. Im renting so I dont want to go too big and have trouble putting it in and removing (I think we already need to get it over the gate instead of through based on the width alone?)
But I am not against rehoming enough to make them comfortable. I already knew it was too much but I wanted to get fresh babies from a hatchery I liked.

For 16 birds you will need 160 square foot of run space at minimum.

That means a 10x16 or bigger run.

 

[wrenhen]

Welcome to the forum, glad you joined.

Agree, nice sketches. Some suggestions to go along with the others comments. I definitely agree that 4', 6', and 8' dimensions are better than 5'. The cut-offs from 6' can often be used for nests or such.

I'd make the front closer to 8' high and the back no less than 6'. You need to be able to stand up in there, a 6' in the back may mean a lot of head banging, especially since the roof framing will be lower than 6'. This is the part you walk in. I don't know how many chickens you will wind up keeping but I'll guess it is enough that a walk-in coop would be very beneficial. Instead of asking how many chickens can I possibly shoehorn in here think more about how many you want and build big enough to properly house them.

I see you you have it elevated and the chickens do not have access underneath. It needs to be elevated high enough that you can clean out under there. You don't want it low enough that it makes a good place for a snake or other critter to make a home. Some people include the area under the coop as part of the run. If you do that you need access to retrieve an egg, a chicken, or whatever. That can provide a cool shady spot in hot weather or a dry place for feed if you plan on feeding outside.

Good job on placing the nests and door. Rainwater will not be running off the roof and hitting you when you use them.

I agree with Aart on overhang. Instead of drilling holes leave the top of the walls open under the overhang for ventilation and cover that with hardwire cloth to keep predators out. On the high and low ends the rafters will leave you a nice open space. On the sloping sides you may need to be a bit creative. That gives you great ventilation and the overhang keeps rainwater out. From your screen name I'd guess you are probably in Australia which can get pretty hot some places. Good ventilation could be pretty important. Ventilation is important in cold climates too.

I'm kind of stuck that you might be in a really hot climate. If so, orientation can be important. Will the coop portion provide shade in the run during the hottest part of the day? If your nests are facing the hot sun will they become ovens and cook any hen trying to lay an egg?

I have a tin roof on mine. It's not a problem even in hot weather. But my roosts are well below the tin. The roof will cool off after dark but it can be pretty hot right at sunset when they are going to bed. Another reason for a taller coop.

Your roosts need to be higher than anything else you don't want them sleeping on. That includes the nests. Most chickens like to sleep on the highest place available and they poop a lot while sleeping. You don't want that in your nests.

I don't know if you plan on locking the pop door from the coop side or run side. Make sure you have access.

I also think you have done a good job with your initial plans. Many of my comments are geared more to your comfort and convenience than at the chickens' needs. You are important in this and your chickens will benefit if you are comfortable taking care of them.

Good luck and again

Good call on the under the coop, Im gonna raise that up in the design. Also edit the roost height! I am in a hot climate but not australia haha. I just updated to show my location, its south texas. My entire backyard is shaded other than dappled sun, so it actually stays pretty cool back there fortunately.
I'll definitely be making a new sketch to reflect everyones feedback!

 

[NatJ]

I live in South Texas so.... yea haha want to give them plenty of room to stay cool.

winter here is 40's, 50's

My entire backyard is shaded other than dappled sun, so it actually stays pretty cool back there fortunately.

Considering that information, you probably do NOT want solid walls on all sides of your coop.

Frame it like usual, but use hardware cloth instead of a solid material on at least one side--maybe on 3 sides or even all 4.

Chickens do fine at 40 degrees and up, at any season. All they need is a roof, and maybe a windbreak. Since your yard is shady, you may already have enough wind protection too.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-weather-coops.72760/
This article has a picture and some ideas about coops for hot weather.

 

[3KillerBs]

You are important in this and your chickens will benefit if you are comfortable taking care of them.

Yes. If chicken chores are inconvenient they won't be done when life gets stressful.

I was thinking the run could be 10 ft x 5 ft = l x w. They would have access to the run at all times, but then I was going to open up the entire backyard to them when I can supervise. I'm gonna lay out some string to get a visual for how big I have currently, and maybe expand if I can. Im renting so I dont want to go too big and have trouble putting it in and removing (I think we already need to get it over the gate instead of through based on the width alone?)
But I am not against rehoming enough to make them comfortable. I already knew it was too much but I wanted to get fresh babies from a hatchery I liked.

I wondered if you had space constraints.

Other things to think about -- how big is your household and how many eggs can you use. While more chickens are wonderful because chickens are, in general, wonderful, starting with a smaller flock helps you get your feet wet without the challenge of having to cope with a huge amount of chicken poop and lets you cycle your flock as they age beyond their best laying years -- keeping hens of different ages.

I'm currently getting 3-5 eggs per day from 5 hens if assorted breed, which isn't quite enough, but I started this flock with the intent to grow it.

Oooh this is very helpful! I am an artist by trade and my friend is the builder so this is some info I was not aware of! I think 6x6 or 6x8 would be very do-able! I live in South Texas so.... yea haha want to give them plenty of room to stay cool. My entire backyard is shaded though so it's not the hottest place in texas but 90 in the shade... still intense.

*nods* My coops are built for 95-95 weather as the summer norm. Shade is GREAT.

Maybe even add the closing flap you were talking about with some holes for winter? (holes still because winter here is 40's, 50's)

Considering that information, you probably do NOT want solid walls on all sides of your coop.

Frame it like usual, but use hardware cloth instead of a solid material on at least one side--maybe on 3 sides or even all 4.

Chickens do fine at 40 degrees and up, at any season. All they need is a roof, and maybe a windbreak. Since your yard is shady, you may already have enough wind protection too.

I agree with @NatJ, in south Texas you want good vents on all 4 walls and you probably want wire only on the wall that faces into the run -- or no wall at all if the run is predator-hardened. Chickens don't even notice any temperatures above freezing and are perfectly comfortable down to 0F as long as they're dry and out of the wind because they're wearing down coats year roung.

Ideally, your coop will be the same temperature and humidity inside as it is outside.

This Texas coop is the inspiration for my current build here in the Steamy Southeast. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/texas-coop-build-pic-heavy.1371038/

And my new coop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/large-open-air-coop-in-central-nc.1443812/