Coop size , maybe I am overthinking?

[emileexepic]

I have looked it up a couple different ways and not found a straight answer. I have been trying to plan a coop build but before I can finalize any design I need to clarify one thing. Each adult standard size chicken needs a minimum of three square feet. Is that IN the coop itself (ie the enclosed box with the nest boxes and roosts) or is it in the total enclosure including the attached run?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

That is in the housing unit itself ...the run is separate and should allow 10 sq ft per bird

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

4 sq ft in the coop and 10 in the run is the minimum number thrown around here, I would double that. Bigger is better, walk in coop make it easy on yourself.
My coop linked to left

Gary

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

4 sq ft in the coop and 10 in the run is the minimum number thrown around here, I would double that. Bigger is better, walk in coop make it easy on yourself.
My coop linked to left

Gary

Good point on walkin..... the only way I go!

 

[emileexepic]

Oh definitely going to go walk in. I'm modeling my design after the first coop we had when I was a kid (the latter was an amazing horse corral conversion but I don't think I'm up for doing that from scratch). Ideally I'm planning a coop large enough that I can expand my flock at a later date if I want.

What are y'alls thoughts on the coop being ground level vs. Raised? I grew up with a dirt floor coop and yes we got snakes on occasion but being able to walk in to that would be pretty great too.

 

[jthornton]

When I rebuild it will be a ground floor walk in coop. I still like the nest box being in the run and the coop for sleeping only. Watching mine on camera and they do spend a lot of time under the coop before sunrise...

JT

 

[21hens-incharge]

I found that raised was a pain.

They are fickle creatures and will stash eggs under it and of course out of reach. They Will also go under where you cannot reach when sick or injured.

I have my doors open outward so I don't end up pushing birds as I try to enter the coop.
Just a huge tip there.

 

[Skipper81]

4 sq. Ft plus nest boxes I believe
So it needs to be a little bigger if there's nest boxes and other things in there

 

[emileexepic]

Thanks to everyone for the insight I appreciate all of you taking the time to advise me. I have a bit of a working sketch now. I need to add details but I feel confident about where we heading now.

 

[aart]

Ground level if you want to do deep composting litter.
Raised can be more secure from preds, give great deep shade underneath, which might be important in your climate, and an always dry place to dust bathe.
But make it raised enough that you can get under there for stray eggs, broody hen, etc. That will also make it unattractive to other creatures that would like to live under there.

Go big and plan for multiple sections inside for adding birds later.
I have a large raised walk in coop, shed already existed so that was an easy decision.

Here's some tips on the height of things:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-should-stuff-be.73427/

This great article on Space by RR is a must read:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need