Coop design for easy cleaning

[Kaye Pek]

10x12 is a common shed size that in many areas you do not need a permit to build. Bigger is better, think barn/house not coop

Unfortunately, one thing I didn’t mention is that the max size for coop plus run is 108 sqft, with the coop elevated by at least 1’.

With these prices it's even more important to avoid waste in our plans and use lumber as efficiently as possible.

Some of the dimensions in my new coop build are the way they are because DH chose the most cost-effective sizes of lumber available at the particular time he was buying it.

The advantage we do have is that the hubs is working with good-condition scrap lumber (plus predator-proofing), so our costs are cut WAY down. The price of lumber really is atrocious. A 2x4 is easily triple what it cost in the recent past.

 

[Kaye Pek]

My Little Monitor Coop is designed for 4 hens. I find it simple to keep clean because I use the Deep Bedding method.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-little-monitor-coop.76275/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/

Those are super helpful! Thank you for linking them.

 

[Kaye Pek]

You're right, that was very vague! If you can make it 4x6, that would be much nicer for your birds. 4x8 makes for less cutting of sheet goods that are sold in that size. But does use more, obviously, and the price of lumber is insane right now.

Check out @3KillerBs posts linked above. Very good (and more specific ) info in there.

No need to hide under a chair. I am the queen of vague myself.

 

[Sueby]

I have a small integration coop - it's 3x4. We built it on a skid (so we can move it with the tractor) that stands about wheelbarrow height, that was a must for easy clean out with my bad back. I made the door as large as possible so I can get a snow shovel in to just scoop everything out right into the wheelbarrow. I'm very happy with how easy it is to clean for such a small coop.

 

[Farmgirl1878]

How much would you recommend that “a little” be? 4x6?

If you do a 4’x8’ floorplan, you wouldn’t have to make any cuts to your plywood base. That’s always a plus! In addition to the poop decks reco by another poster, I’d recommend using sand in your coop and run. It’s easy to keep clean with a long handled wok skimmer (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZXGLW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ) and doesn’t smell (which your neighbors will appreciate). I use natural, washed, coarse grain river sand in our coop and run.

Is your coop going to be tall enough for you to stand up in? If not, you might consider raising the coop to your waist height so you don’t have to bend over so much and have a drop-down panel on the long side so you can reach inside easily. My coop is 12’x8’x10’, so it’s plenty big and easy for me to move around in.