Coop size for four?

[seann]

Hi,

I have many questions as I'm new. Sorry .

I have 60 inch by 50 inch area that I can use for the chicken coop.
Will this be enough for four chickens? (I don't have any chickens at the moment)
Without run ok or not ok for this size?
If run is needed, how high should the fence be? (I read they can jump 4-6 feet in that case -> yikes!)

It will be located near two trees, a fence and a small storage house so I don't suspect much wind.
I'm in San Diego so it's not often rain.
With those, should I place it on ground directly or above ground? (if above, how high)

One nesting box enough?

Thanks.

 

[PolkaDot77]

Hi! Given that you have a smaller area for both the coop and run, I would consider having a coop that is raised up a couple feet with the run underneath at least part of the coop. Yes, chickens can fly over a fence that is 4-6 feet high, but you don't need to make one that high. Just make it a couple feet high and put chicken wire over the top so they can't jump out. For 4 chickens, 1 box would probably be okay, but it's better to have 2. Something like this would probably be best to utilize the space. FYI Not my photo, got it from google as an example. Good luck!

 

[bahamabanty]

Yes, I would put it up high. My coop is small too, about 3'x4'. I made it of an old tile crate. They only sleep in there, I let them out around 7 AM.
You can utilize the space underneath. You will need a run though. I have 3 leghorns and found out my run of 8' x 3' was kinda cramped and getting dirty quick. So the smaller the run the more cleaning you will have to do. (stinky farm smell). They will turn any landcape into moonscape in a matter of weeks. I use old leaves as litter, change it every couple of weeks (compost pile) it works out ok so far. If you can use a part of your small storage house for your night coop that will make building the coop easier, you can just build some kind of trunk or box inside with the perches and nestboxes and a small pop door in the storage building wall to go outside, you can then use the full outside area for your daytime-run. Thats how my dad used to have it in the '70s.

 

[The Lazy L]

4 chickens x 4 square feet + floor space taken by water, feeder and ? = the size minimum you need.

 

[MyPetNugget]

Some ways to save space would be:

put the run under the coop

hang the feeders and waterers

have an indoor access nesting box

As far as the nesting box goes, you should be fine with one. How many chickens do you plan to get?

 

[soratos]

We are in murrieta (45 mins north of SD) in the suburbs. We have a small coop with four hens. Currently expanding the coop to accommodate more in the spring. I think the current coop is 9 sq ft, most ppl say that is way too small but my girls are very happy and cozy in it. Good luck, chickens and coop design is addictive!

 

[seann]

Thanks for suggestions.
I'm also a newbie at woodworking, so ... how do you make a roof? lol.

We want the /\ type, not the slanted / only type.

 

[conny63malies]

The slanted roof is easier to build for newbies with little to no woodworking experience. That being said , its not terrible hard to build a simple coop. You will find lots of instructions on how to build a small coop here as well as a else where on the web. We have the biggest selection though and the prettiest ones too. For building a roof you need to find out what kind of pitch you want and the how wide the coop is. You might want to get some detailed plans that have all measurements included. THis way you just have to measure twice and cut once.
THis is a link to the one I will be building next.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chicken-coo...852?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item23276cbc34

 

[MyPetNugget]

First lay out 2 2x4's in the exact angle/ degree/ height you want them. This will effect how steep your roof is. Like this /\. Then at the top corner place a triangular-cut board over it to stabilize it.
.

/ \
/___\
/ \
/ \
/ \

Make as many as needed to space them each 1 foot apart on were the coop's roof will be.
side view:
____________
|| || || || ||
|| || || || || = a 2x4
|| || || || ||
==========
| COOP |
| |
| |
==========

then, simply cut plywood boards to cover the roof. Afterwards, put something over the edges to prevent wood rot, cover the roof with a waterproof black asphalt sheet (not the shingles) I am not sure what it is called. Then, put the shingles on. Work from the bottom upwards and cut of the access. Do not put the shingles in the exact same order each row up, but instead "stagger" them. When you are done you should not see any of the asphalt sheet, nails , or roof. Just shingles..