Coop feed back please

[BuffsareBad]

Ok, Im very new to chickens and any comments on my coop idea is appreciated! I have 3 eight day old BOs under the heat lamp and 2 ten week old RIRs that I need to get outside ASAP. I have a 10x10x6 dog fence that will be the run. The "house" will be 3 ft wide, 5 ft long, and 3 ft high. It will be inside the fence. It will also be 22in off the ground. I will have feed and water on the inside with 2 roost and 2 nesting boxes that extend from the main house. It will also have a light for winter and vents on the front and back. It will be pretator proof with Hardware cloth covering the bottom or an apron. Does this sound OK for 5 hens? Thanks again!

 

[countrychix]

Welcome to the world of chickens! I think it sounds fine, but I would put hardware cloth around the bottom AND add an apron. I would also cover it with some sort of roof or wire, such as 2x4 welded wire, to keep out hawks, coons, etc. You may need a second door latch too depending on your kennel. I have 3 dog kennels- 2 with nice solid doors, but on the third my dogs can twist the door open enough to slip put the bottom.

 

[birdygirl123]

Welcome Buff... That sounds like an awesome set up... Just keep in mind that you just may end up with a few more.. lol.. Its hard to stop once you are bit by the bug..

Welcome !... Ive been learning from here for along time, but just recently signed up!..

Happy Chickens..

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[perchie.girl]

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Sounds like a good start.... just prepare for Chicken Math to kick in.... LOL. A very funny and all too true thread here. The consnsus here is four square feet per bird in the coop as a general rule of thumb.... You have lots of space in your run. Also... Are you covering the roof of the run with something for flying preditors and preditors that can climb a chainlink fence?

 

[Irish Cluck]

Where do you live? If you get heavy winters (snow) the chickens will not be going outside much, if at all, in the winter. That is the problem I have. I used similiar dimensions (5x3) for my hen house (3 ladies) last year and am redoing it this summer after having experienced a winter. It was simply to small. Besides, as I am sure others on here will tell you, you have to use chicken math and assume your flock is going to grow.