Coop in a Garage?

[AngusMc]

Hi Folks,

We have an extra large garage with good ventilation, windows, and a side door. We use it as a gardening shed and storage area. Cars are never inside. I'm wondering about keeping a coop inside the garage, and having the side door open into a large chicken run? In our area, the number of chickens is not regulated, but where a coop can be placed is. In order to avoid any issues with grumpy neighbors (even when placing the coop in an approved spot), keeping the girls (we're planning for between 4 to 6 hens) in the garage, so there are no outdoor coop issues, seems like a good idea. It will also encourage our daughter with autism, who loves chickens (we've cared for some in the past), to help care for them even when the weather is terrible outside. . These birds are def. pets, though eggs are a nice bonus when they come.

Has anyone successfully done this? What worked, what didn't? I'm actually thinking about purchasing a large coop and just setting it up inside the garage. We would section off this part of the garage so the dust didn't go everywhere, and someone suggested a motorized exhaust fan to help improve ventilation.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

A.

 

[Percheron chick]

If they are in the garage, they are protected from the elements and don't need a coop. Just go with a nice dog kennel, add a roost or two and a few nesting boxes and you're good. Dust will be the biggest detractor.

 

[3KillerBs]

The two things that would concern me about that kind of setup would be adequate ventilation and dust control.

It's not just the bedding that contributes dust, it's the chickens themselves. Feather dander is amazing in how it floats, spreads, and gets EVERYWHERE. So, rather than sitting a coop in the garage you'd probably be better off completely sealing off an area of the garage so as to contain the dust. Especially if the garage is served by your HVAC system and thus would be pulling feather dander and ammonia from the chicken poop into your household air.

Once sealed from the rest of the garage, the problem would be to provide an adequate amount of ventilation. I don't know how the 1 square foot of ventilation per adult, standard-sized hen translates into the amount of air a given fan can move -- your local Ag Extension might be able to help with that. But if you're using a fan, get one rated for use in a barn because that dust is not only likely to clog up an ordinary, household fan but it is flammable and could start a fire in a fan not designed for such use.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Thanks! I think the run will be about 10 by 12 feet, but they will be able to free range at least a couple of hours a day. We have stockade fencing around the backyard, and plan to partition it off into about 3 sections. Someone suggested putting colored string (vinyl?) in no more that two foot intersecting patterns over the area the chickens will be in to discourage hawks. I agree that the more time they can be out in the backyard being chickens, the better.

The idea about discouraging hawks is good. I would actually suggest bird netting though, as its pretty cheap and makes it so the chickens won't fly out and then be stuck outside. Good luck!

 

[aart]

We have an extra large garage with good ventilation, windows, and a side door.

How large is "extra large" in feet by feet?
Some pics would help here, inside and outside of garage.

If they are in the garage, they are protected from the elements and don't need a coop. Just go with a nice dog kennel, add a roost or two and a few nesting boxes and you're good. Dust will be the biggest detractor.

Definitely!
My 6x16 coop is in a large(16x16) shed, everything in the shed is covered with at thick layer of dust.


Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @AngusMc
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I don't really see a problem, although I have never done this before. As long as there is good ventilation, I could see it working. And as long as they have access to a large run (at least 40-60 sq feet, (10 feet per bird) more if they arent going to free range) I would consider building your own coop though. Pre fabs are notorious for being flimsy and small.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I don't really see a problem, although I have never done this before. As long as there is good ventilation, I could see it working. And as long as they have access to a large run (at least 40-60 sq feet, (10 feet per bird) more if they arent going to free range) I would consider building your own coop though. Pre fabs are notorious for being flimsy and small.

I forgot to add, plan on them tearing up all the grass in their run. Theyll go through it so quickly!

 

[KarynVA]

Sounds like a wonderful thing for all concerned. Enjoy!

 

[AngusMc]

I don't really see a problem, although I have never done this before. As long as there is good ventilation, I could see it working. And as long as they have access to a large run (at least 40-60 sq feet, (10 feet per bird) more if they arent going to free range) I would consider building your own coop though. Pre fabs are notorious for being flimsy and small.

Thanks! I think the run will be about 10 by 12 feet, but they will be able to free range at least a couple of hours a day. We have stockade fencing around the backyard, and plan to partition it off into about 3 sections. Someone suggested putting colored string (vinyl?) in no more that two foot intersecting patterns over the area the chickens will be in to discourage hawks. I agree that the more time they can be out in the backyard being chickens, the better.

 

[AngusMc]

If they are in the garage, they are protected from the elements and don't need a coop. Just go with a nice dog kennel, add a roost or two and a few nesting boxes and you're good. Dust will be the biggest detractor.

I was thinking that if they lived and slept in the coop, it would keep the dirt and dust down, and make keeping the entire area easier to clean...But a large dog kennel would be completely open, so better ventilation. Another idea to research!