- Jun 11, 2010
- 8
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I have read multiple books, postings and websites, and I still have some questions on the basics of coop and run design. Please help me out - I am becoming obsessed with chickens and I don't even have any yet! I am in central Illinois and looking to convert my unused 12x12 shed back near the woods into something that produces eggs and meat.
1. Floor of coop - I am considering concrete or a plywood floor 1' off the ground. If I do concrete, how thick does it need to be poured? If I do the raised plywood floor, I was looking at putting a slight slope in it and covering it with something (vinyl) to aid in hosing it out when needed.
2. Coop divisions - My wife has said that she wants absolutely zero chance of a blood spot in her eggs and the eggs we give away. I have agreed to this stipulation (happy wife = more chickens). I had planned on dividing the inside of my coup up (one-third for egg layers, two-thirds for meat birds who will raise their own chicks). They will of course also have separate runs. Is this necessary? Is there any chance I can have them all together and be assured I won't have a blood spot? Is the candle test enough to tell?
3. Coop insulation - I am trying to decide how much insulation I need for the coop during winter. It gets pretty cold here, and the shed currently is just thin metal walls. Any ideas from other chicken-obsessed people in similar climates?
4. Run fencing- I keep getting varied opinions on mesh size for the outside run. I have a pretty big run planned - do I go with hardware cloth (what size mesh?) or is poultry wire the best bet?
5. Run top - I could extend a tin roof off of the shed to roof in part of the run, leaving the remaining run unroofed and just covering in whatever size wire mesh I use. Is there an advantage to having part of the run roofed? I also have a tree (5 inch diameter) where the run will be - I was planning to cut it down, though could I leave the tree, secure the mesh around the trunk, and let the tree be the cover (no roof)?
Please help me out on any of these questions you are knowledgeable about. I am excited to get going asap, but I can't begin until I know exactly what I am doing so I can present a cost estimate to my wife (she is the dependable one who keeps track of the finances). I know she will become a chicken junkie in the future, but she is currently a bit timid. Thank you for reading and sharing a bit of your experience.
1. Floor of coop - I am considering concrete or a plywood floor 1' off the ground. If I do concrete, how thick does it need to be poured? If I do the raised plywood floor, I was looking at putting a slight slope in it and covering it with something (vinyl) to aid in hosing it out when needed.
2. Coop divisions - My wife has said that she wants absolutely zero chance of a blood spot in her eggs and the eggs we give away. I have agreed to this stipulation (happy wife = more chickens). I had planned on dividing the inside of my coup up (one-third for egg layers, two-thirds for meat birds who will raise their own chicks). They will of course also have separate runs. Is this necessary? Is there any chance I can have them all together and be assured I won't have a blood spot? Is the candle test enough to tell?
3. Coop insulation - I am trying to decide how much insulation I need for the coop during winter. It gets pretty cold here, and the shed currently is just thin metal walls. Any ideas from other chicken-obsessed people in similar climates?
4. Run fencing- I keep getting varied opinions on mesh size for the outside run. I have a pretty big run planned - do I go with hardware cloth (what size mesh?) or is poultry wire the best bet?
5. Run top - I could extend a tin roof off of the shed to roof in part of the run, leaving the remaining run unroofed and just covering in whatever size wire mesh I use. Is there an advantage to having part of the run roofed? I also have a tree (5 inch diameter) where the run will be - I was planning to cut it down, though could I leave the tree, secure the mesh around the trunk, and let the tree be the cover (no roof)?
Please help me out on any of these questions you are knowledgeable about. I am excited to get going asap, but I can't begin until I know exactly what I am doing so I can present a cost estimate to my wife (she is the dependable one who keeps track of the finances). I know she will become a chicken junkie in the future, but she is currently a bit timid. Thank you for reading and sharing a bit of your experience.