Coop Design -What am I missing??

[#1California Chick]

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 14”w 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 Patandchicken’s 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

 

[redlawyer]

I can't help you with specs, but my DH is also an engineer. We bought plans for a shed and made some changes to accommodate the fuzzy butts. But being an engineer, as soon as he completes one step he thinks of a way to do it better. So he takes down the wall, roof, window, whatever to do it over. One step forward, and two steps backward. Good luck to you! My girls may never get out of the garage. (In his defense, he is at the store now getting more plywood to finish the last wall)

 

[#1California Chick]

Redlawyer

Yes, that is what I am worried about also. I may end up with the Taj Mahal for chickens -- but it will take two years to build!!!

 

[Judy]

JMO:

I like both people doors opening in, to scoot the birds back when I open it. They see me coming and run to the door, so I'm glad I did this.

Sheet linoleum does not have cracks to catch dirt, tools, toes, etc. in like tiles have.

Why a ladder to the roosts? I'd have him build two roosts both 30" high, esp. if you are getting heavy breeds. They will jump onto and off the roosts anyway. I wanted all 3 of my roosts at the same height to prevent them from fighting over the highest roost. Oh wait, 8 birds, one roost is enough, they only need 8" or 9" so one 8' 2x4 cut to fit inside dimensions would do it.

You probably know you are figuring the minimum space requirements often found here -- IMO this is not enough. It would cost very little more to make it 8X8, which would give the chickens a lot more space, always a plus. This would also give you enough room to store feed inside the coop, very convenient, and make it much easier to get in there for whatever. I keep a lawn chair in my coop!

If you use metal or fiberglass for a roof, it will need to be insulated to prevent condensation. Are you thinking of shingles?

Just some thoughts. Good luck, and enjoy your birds!

 

[Judy]

Oh, I like patandchickens' design, nest boxes have flat tops and are raised a little off the floor, roost maybe 6" above nest boxes, board on top of nest boxes is poop board (pics on her BYC page.) Wish I had done this. Esp. space saving if you stay with the 4X8.

 

[FrontPorchIndiana]

I think you've got it all covered! Good luck!

 

[#1California Chick]

Thanks for checking out my list!! I will also check out Pat's design, sounds just like what I need.

 

[#1California Chick]

Any more thoughts before I turn this list over to the Engineer??

Thanks!!

 

[lunkerchicken]

I have two roosts as well and I did make a ramp up to one side. I also have a little bridge the connects the two roosts so they can cross over to "The Other Side", if they choose! I know they can jump up to these roosts but added the ramp anyways - it is only tacked in and can be removed at any time if needed. I only thing left inside is the completion of the nesting boxes and it should be ready to house some girls.
It sounds like youhave things well in hand and it is going to be a beautiful coop! Get some pics on here when you can!

 

[Slywoody]

It all sounds good to me except, the tiles 1 ft. up on the walls. Tiles have a tendency break and fall off. (too brittle). I'd stay with the linoleum on the walls too. If the roosts are close to a wall and might get poo splattered and running down the wall you might consider linoleum on that wall at least as high as the roosts. Linoleum is easier to clean up than anything else. Good Luck Woody