Coop Ideas/Plans/Recommendations!(Please help!)

[Lilywater101]

Hi everyone! I am thinking about getting some chickens. But first I need 2 build the coop.

I need a coop that will not be huge or big but can hold up to 11 chickens. It also needs to be very easy to clean with some type of "dirt floor". The coop needs to be cool in the hot summer days and warm in the cold winter nights.

Also it needs to be well ventilated and proteceted from pests and predators like mosquitoes, racoons, dogs, hawks etc. It needs to also have room for roosts and nestboxes. If anybody has any coop plans for my "ideal coop" that fits these requirements please post it here!

Show pics if possible. I also need help in building a run that is big enough for 11 chickens to free range . It needs to be covered so that they can be safe from hawks. Any help will be much appreciated!!

p.s. I know i have already said this but please post pics if possible!

 

[ColoradoMike]

Sounds like everyone's 'ideal coop'!

I'd suggest browsing the coop pages here at BYC - tons of great examples of different coops.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html

Good luck!

 

[ducks4you]

FIrst, check out Coop Designs here, (look at the top of the page). It would also help us if you posted where you live. I have read posts here from BYC'ers from Alaska to Greece and all of the lower 48. Go to Profile/Personal and fill that in. It will automatically show up on ALL previous posts.

 

[Lilywater101]

Oopps! sorry for not saying where I'm from.

I am from North Carolina and like I said in my previous post the climate here is "varying" it gets some what hot in the summer(the temp can be as high as the 80's ) and it can get cold in the winter(the temp is usually in the 40's). Hope this helps!!

 

[patandchickens]

Once you've looked at a buncha different peoples' coops and decided more or less what you want, and are looking for plans to start building, remember that it's just a shed. So, if you are uncomfortable just building from scratch by eye, get some SHED plans (like for the kind of shed you'd put in your backyard), or a shed kit if you want to spend more, and with extra ventilation and a roost and chicken door, voila, it's a coop

Good luck, have fun, welcome to BYC,

Pat

 

[Lonetree]

Here is an idea for the door. This is mine.

The door runs in the track on left, right and bottom. The key in the right track holds door up and also keeps door closed at night.