Coop Help

[norristhechickenman]

Hi.... I have read some articles in the forum, i am really confused.... Please clarify my questions... I badly need the answers, i only have a temporary coop, and we are planning to build one... thanks in advance.

- norris

CONCERNS:
Chicken Coop Size - I have read that the size should be 4sq ft. per chicken, but i also see 3sq ft or even 2 sq ft per chicken? what would be the best size per chicken?

Chicken Coop Design - Some say cover the run, some say not, which is best?
- Which is the best material to use in the coop bedding? Some say hay, dirt, straw, corn cob, wood shavings... please this is really confusing... which is the best to use? does the bedding also depends on the weather, on what/which materials to use?

Again... Thanks in Advance...
- Norris

 

[BrattishTaz]

I personally would not go less than 4 sq ft per bird. Pecking can be a nasty problem! Most prefer to go bigger than that because chicken math will happen and you will have to expand anyway.

I also have my birds in a temporary coop at the moment and have been researching bedding for the new coop being built. I have heard great things about sand. It helps dry out the poop and can just be scooped every now and them. I am currently using pine shavings and am starting to hate them!

Covering the run is a big help when it comes to predators. Hawks, racoons, cats, and quite a few other climbing predators will jump at a chance to have a chicken dinner.

The best advice you will get is....... DO NOT USE CHICKEN WIRE! Stick with hardware cloth (rabbit wire) or you will lose birds at some point.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[TN_BIRD]

I'd suggest covering the run. If for not other reason than it won't get as wet (wet = mess)

 

[ARose4Heaven]

The 2 ft recommendation is for birds that will never have to spend their whole day in the coop. If there is a chance that you might have them in the coop 24/7 for weather or whatever, it is better to have more space. If they are too crowded, they peck at each other.

Bedding in the coop is entirely up to you. The chickens really don't have a preference. Pine shavings smell nice (Never use cedar shavings), and help warm the coop, but can get yucky fast if you have a smaller coop. Sand is nice in places where the temps don't get below freezing. I do not recommend dirt floors in the actual coop. I have dirt in part of mine, and it gets rock hard and smelly if not daily raked and cleaned. Straw is good, but needs to be changed out often.

When you say, covered run, are you thinking wire or solid roof? Wire or poultry netting is ideal, but does require support to keep it up and off your head. A solid roof is wonderful. It reduces mud, and stops airborne predators. No matter what you do, the run will get muddy...unless you sand or gravel it. But the chickens prefer dirt to dust bathe and scratch in.

 

[elmo]

In addition to pecking problems, it depends on how much work you want to have to do as a chicken keeper. The higher the stocking density, the more work for you to keep things clean enough for the health of the chickens and the general yuck/smell factor for you. Personally, I like to keep my workload as low as possible, which is why I try to keep the stocking density lighter.

I have 9 tiny bantams in a coop/run that gives them almost 21 square feet per bird, combined indoor/outdoor space. It's roomy enough, but I wouldn't say it's luxuriously roomy. It is pretty easy to keep clean though. I use sand in both the coop and the runs, and pick droppings out of the sand with a reptile litter scoop taped to a long handle.

 

[pharmchickrnmom]

Norris--you dont say where you are at so consider your climate. If you live where you get snow, you need more space for when the chickens are locked up for the winter. If they are too crowded, you will have problems. Chickens need space to get away from each other and just personal space period. If you live somewhere warm, where they dont go into the coop except to lay and/or roost for the night, you might be able to get away with less space if they are outside all the time. I live in NY and this winter was brutal. My girls live in an 4x8 tractor with a 6x10 run attached. The tractor is adquate for a day or two being locked in however, I had the door open every day except snowstorm days for access to outside and they went out unless it was very windy.

What you use in the coop is personal preference. We use pine shavings and did the deep litter method for the winter. I have never had any problems with pine and use de in the coop to help keep things dry. I rake the shavings into a pile every day and throw in a handful of boss. The girls run in and dig through the pile for the boss and so spread and turnover the shavings. When it gets a little to loaded with poop, I rake out the shavings and replace it with fresh.

Covering the run is also personal preference. I live in an area that has LOTS of hawks and owls so my run is covered on top with wire. Better safe than sorry.

Hope this helps.

 

[teach1rusl]

You see such a range of recommendations, because people view animal care/conditions very differently. Some folks view chickens and their conditions similarly to the large, commercial poultry houses, with a tiny amount of space. Other people view chickens and their care differently, and want them to live as "natural" a chicken life as possible.

And as for space, it also depends on the regions where folks live. A place that has year round mild weather can get away with a smaller amount of coop housing because their chickens are literally NEVER inside the housing except to lay an egg and roost. But in areas that get winters, the birds spend a decent amount of daytime hours indoors, so more space is needed.

Whether someone uses 2 ft. or 10 ft., I've NEVER read an opposing veiw to the "fact/opinion" that more space is always better when it comes to chickens. And keep in mind that the 4 sq. ft. suggestion refers to the housing only, as the run should be at least double that (unless free ranging is used).

When you talk about covering the run, are you talking about wire or roofing material??? A wire covered run is much safer, of course, than having an open run, as it keep hawks, raccoons (if it's good, sturdy wire), etc. out. A roofed run (metal or otherwise) is fantastic, but generally reserved for smallish runs. It's so nice to keep rain and snow out.

I think you're partly right, in that the bedding material may be dependent on weather, as well as costs and availability. Most people only use pine bedding or straw indoors. Out in the run there can be grass (not for long unless your run is huge though, dirt, sand, etc. In rainy areas, sand is great, as it drains really well, plus it's easy to clean. Folks with feather footed breeds might not want dirt (mud) runs, although some do fine with them. So it's what meets your needs.

 

[norristhechickenman]

thank you so much for your wonderful replies.... i will look into each and every detail and work on my coop/run now.... thank you very much guys...