My chicks are arriving next week, so it is time to give the specs for the coop to my DH. He is an engineer, so I have to be specific!!
I am getting 8 chicks (max that I can have). I live in California, near the SF Bay, so our winters are very mild. We have coons and hawks in the area.
The only thing I have NOT included in the specs is a poop board, since I am not sure how to describe it!
What else am I missing??
COOP SIZE: Minimum 4 feet by 8 feet by 6 feet tall
RUN SIZE; 10 feet by 8 feet by 6 feet tall
COOP SPECS:
1 people door (opening out) with raised lip inside to keep litter inside
1 pop door (12x12 to 12X16) with raised lip inside to keep litter inside
Auto Coop Door opener (optional in beginning)
Linoleum floor (roll) and perhaps linoleum up 1 foot on walls (tiles).
2 nest boxes (prefer outside opening with lock). Nests should be at least 14w x 14 h x 12 deep. OR one community box Preferably 18 to 20 above the floor. If inside the coop, top slanted.
At least 2 roosts (total of 8 feet of roost space) made of 2X4 (4 inch side up, rounded edges). Roosts should be staggered and higher than the nests
Ladder up to the roosts. Ladder should be moveable or lift able for easy cleaning underneath
Windows (with hardware cloth screens) for light and ventilation. If not facing the run, they should open on the outside
Ventilation (See Patandchickens Big Ol Ventilation Page)
All doors must have predator proof locks or handles
Paint: exterior semi-gloss (both inside and out)
Electricity would be a plus. Direct water would be a plus.
RUN SPECS:
Framed with 2x4s.
1 People door (opening in)
Roof or partial roof to create some shade
Run completely covered, optimal: hardware cloth overall, minimum: hardware cloth up 2- to 3 feet, other wire on remainder
Wire outside of run down 1 foot, out 1 foot to prevent diggers
Thanks for your input!!
Cindy

The only thing I have NOT included in the specs is a poop board, since I am not sure how to describe it!
What else am I missing??
COOP SIZE: Minimum 4 feet by 8 feet by 6 feet tall
RUN SIZE; 10 feet by 8 feet by 6 feet tall
COOP SPECS:
1 people door (opening out) with raised lip inside to keep litter inside
1 pop door (12x12 to 12X16) with raised lip inside to keep litter inside
Auto Coop Door opener (optional in beginning)
Linoleum floor (roll) and perhaps linoleum up 1 foot on walls (tiles).
2 nest boxes (prefer outside opening with lock). Nests should be at least 14w x 14 h x 12 deep. OR one community box Preferably 18 to 20 above the floor. If inside the coop, top slanted.
At least 2 roosts (total of 8 feet of roost space) made of 2X4 (4 inch side up, rounded edges). Roosts should be staggered and higher than the nests
Ladder up to the roosts. Ladder should be moveable or lift able for easy cleaning underneath
Windows (with hardware cloth screens) for light and ventilation. If not facing the run, they should open on the outside
Ventilation (See Patandchickens Big Ol Ventilation Page)
All doors must have predator proof locks or handles
Paint: exterior semi-gloss (both inside and out)
Electricity would be a plus. Direct water would be a plus.
RUN SPECS:
Framed with 2x4s.
1 People door (opening in)
Roof or partial roof to create some shade
Run completely covered, optimal: hardware cloth overall, minimum: hardware cloth up 2- to 3 feet, other wire on remainder
Wire outside of run down 1 foot, out 1 foot to prevent diggers
Thanks for your input!!
Cindy
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