Hi all
Looking to build a chicken coop & run for future chickens (now ~ 3 weeks old chicks)
This is a list of the chicks that I have (not sure if it's relevant to my coop question):
Ameraucana 3
DORKING - SILVER GRAY 1
Rhode Island Red 3
Brabanter Gold 2
SILVER SPANGLED SPITZHAUBEN 1
Amberlink 2
Brahma Buff 2
Lakenvender 2
Black Austrolorp 2
Marans - Cuckoo 2
Marans Black Copper 2
Sapphire Gem 3
Cream Legbar 3
Using as inspiration the Carolina Chicken Coop, including a link here to a particular one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N83RZE_OsaI
Relevant information about this coop
- located in WA state, Seattle area, urban area
- lots of predators (coyote, hawks, foxes, cougar, bobcat, moles -not necessary a predator, others)
- create the same concrete footing that goes 3' down to protect against some predators
- 30' x 10' overall enclosed build and covered
- thinking 8' x 10' coop
- minim 3 x 10' roost bars
- 8 nest boxes, a set of 4 on each side, opening sideways
- deep litter system with Carolina Coops Industrial Hemp Bedding (or similar with suggestions)
Ideal goals:
- low maintenance
- healthy & comfortable place for the chickens
- stay within 400sqft overall with roof overhang (no permit needed that way)
- was thinking to add some drawers on the bottom of the coop
A few questions:
1. will the coop size be enough for the 30 chickens (10'x8') so 80 sqft
2. will the run size be enough
3. are the ventilation windows & top cupola be enough ventilation
4. should I insulate the coop
5. if I build some drawer-like boxes under the coop on heavy-duty hardware, and insulate those boxes, will those be good boxes to raise chicks with a heat lamp (through out the winter)
6. can someone suggest an automatic water system and heated option (collecting water from the roof)
7. does any know if the 3' footing stop the moles digging inside the coop
8. Looking for feedback on some dimensions as well:
nests - based on the chickens I have 12" W x 14" H x 12" D
roosts - allowing 1' per chicken, so 3 x 10' roosts, 24" above the floor (considering there will be 4"+ of deep litter on the floor, should this 24" be measured from the bare floor?), will have more than 18" from the parallel walls and 18" apart)
door - 12"W x 14"H
9 does anyone have a suggestion about how to make the mortise and tenon joinery for the 4x4 frame more efficiently
10 what would be ideal flooring in the run? just leave the dirt? how would a deep litter system look for the run?
11 suggestion for outsourcing high-density polyethylene sheets
12 suggestion for a better quality hinges hardware source
If I will think of other questions will update the list of questions.
I apologize if there are too many questions may be already
Thank you in advance for all the feedback
Looking to build a chicken coop & run for future chickens (now ~ 3 weeks old chicks)
This is a list of the chicks that I have (not sure if it's relevant to my coop question):
Ameraucana 3
DORKING - SILVER GRAY 1
Rhode Island Red 3
Brabanter Gold 2
SILVER SPANGLED SPITZHAUBEN 1
Amberlink 2
Brahma Buff 2
Lakenvender 2
Black Austrolorp 2
Marans - Cuckoo 2
Marans Black Copper 2
Sapphire Gem 3
Cream Legbar 3
Using as inspiration the Carolina Chicken Coop, including a link here to a particular one:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N83RZE_OsaI
Relevant information about this coop
- located in WA state, Seattle area, urban area
- lots of predators (coyote, hawks, foxes, cougar, bobcat, moles -not necessary a predator, others)
- create the same concrete footing that goes 3' down to protect against some predators
- 30' x 10' overall enclosed build and covered
- thinking 8' x 10' coop
- minim 3 x 10' roost bars
- 8 nest boxes, a set of 4 on each side, opening sideways
- deep litter system with Carolina Coops Industrial Hemp Bedding (or similar with suggestions)
Ideal goals:
- low maintenance
- healthy & comfortable place for the chickens
- stay within 400sqft overall with roof overhang (no permit needed that way)
- was thinking to add some drawers on the bottom of the coop
A few questions:
1. will the coop size be enough for the 30 chickens (10'x8') so 80 sqft
2. will the run size be enough
3. are the ventilation windows & top cupola be enough ventilation
4. should I insulate the coop
5. if I build some drawer-like boxes under the coop on heavy-duty hardware, and insulate those boxes, will those be good boxes to raise chicks with a heat lamp (through out the winter)
6. can someone suggest an automatic water system and heated option (collecting water from the roof)
7. does any know if the 3' footing stop the moles digging inside the coop
8. Looking for feedback on some dimensions as well:
nests - based on the chickens I have 12" W x 14" H x 12" D
roosts - allowing 1' per chicken, so 3 x 10' roosts, 24" above the floor (considering there will be 4"+ of deep litter on the floor, should this 24" be measured from the bare floor?), will have more than 18" from the parallel walls and 18" apart)
door - 12"W x 14"H
9 does anyone have a suggestion about how to make the mortise and tenon joinery for the 4x4 frame more efficiently
10 what would be ideal flooring in the run? just leave the dirt? how would a deep litter system look for the run?
11 suggestion for outsourcing high-density polyethylene sheets
12 suggestion for a better quality hinges hardware source
If I will think of other questions will update the list of questions.
I apologize if there are too many questions may be already
Thank you in advance for all the feedback