Coop ideas HELP.

[RodNTN]

Wow! Your chickens will sure be happy in that well sized coop No need to stress out, chicken keeping has a way of working itself out

 

[PaigeAshbaugh]

I’m just ready to get them out of my house! My husband was like we have 6 weeks, we’ll be fine. Yeah NO. They can get out of the brooder, and there’s poop EVERYWHERE.

 

[Dwick91]

What are MUST HAVES for a coop?this is so stressful

Walk in is a must have I would say unless you are pasteurizing your birds, um make sure they have plenty of air and sun. A big run is always nice to have more room for them to roam and forage.

 

[Rick&chickTampa]

You are off to a great start.

 

[Dwick91]

I’m sorry For the late reply I didn’t get the notifications!! But this is what we have thus far. I’ve been told is large but so far it’s been pretty neat to build!!

Perfect!!

 

[RodNTN]

Oh no! Keeping older chicks in the house can be messy We have kept several batches of chicks in the house, last summer was hard. Every time I opened the brooder they would jump out and get on the stairs, and poop on everything! We didn't get those chicks out until they were 9 weeks

And yes, a walk-in coop is very easy. We have a very large walk in coop that I absolutely love!

 

[squadleader]

If you make that coop predator proof, your husband is right, no coop is necessary. The whole purpose of a coop is a safe predator proof place to sleep. Especially in mild weather like Houston, all you need is shade and a predator proof coop.

If your husband is using half inch hardware cloth over the whole coop, and laying out at least a 24 inch anti dig wire mat around the outside perimeter of the coop, and making sure there's no gaps over half an inch anywhere, that coop will be predator proof.

I'd figure ten square feet per bird and that's how many birds will be comfortable in the coop, that whole structure he's building, I'm assuming it's all going to be roofed.

Keep the south side of the structure open wire, to allow in the winter sun. In the winter, if it gets cold, you can put tarps on the north, west and east sides of the structure, but always leave the south side open.

Me personally I'd put wide eaves on all sides, that'll make the structure last a lot longer, if the wood doesn't normally get wet.

A three foot eave over the south side will keep out any summer sun, and still allow in the winter sun, when you want the warmth.

You guys are off to a great start, your husband sounds like he knows what he's doing.

He definitely knew bigger is better, he's all over that principle, especially since it's y'alls first time out the gate with chickens!

By the way, welcome, tons of information here for you!

 

[PaigeAshbaugh]

We finished! Under the dirt in the coop we have wire so nothing can dig under, and all the sides have wire 1/2 inch squares, no gaps in anything, my mother in law is already talking about adding 4 more we definitely have the space for them