Coop Size

[tiddlywinks]

Hey guys,

Okay, so I have 2 questions. I am going to put a coop and a run in a 19' L x 5' W area. Is that big enough for 3 chickens that AREN'T going to be free ranging. We live in the city next to a very busy road and don't want to free range our chickens. The 3 type of chickens that we are going to get (in case it matters) is a golden comet, a buff orpington, and a black australorp or a black orpington (which one should I get?!?!).

My second question is if that space is big enough, where should I buy a coop and run?!? I am struggling to find something that will fit in our space. I would like the coop to be pre-built, not a coop design… A kit is okay, but I really want something that is pre-built. We want poop trays (so we can just slide the trays out and dump the poop out), nesting boxes that stick out (so we don't have to go into the coop to get the eggs), and we want a coop that is a walk in coop.

Thank you so much!

P.S. If you have an answer to if I should get a black australorp or a black orpington, PLEASE comment below!!

P.P.S If you have any reviews about golden comets or buff orpingtons too, that would be awesome!

 

[tiddlywinks]

P.P.P.S. We have quite a lot of raccoons, so we need it to be raccoon protected.

 

[dancingqueen]

Have you tried craigslist or asking some locals if they know of anyone that can build a coop? I found a local guy that makes coops so instead of a kit, he built me a coop which is much more solid than all the coop kits I saw. He even built the run and delivered it to me.

 

[tiddlywinks]

Thanks! I'll try that! Does anyone else have any suggestions/ideas/answers?

 

[tiddlywinks]

So earlier I said that I didn't want any chicken coop plans, know I am not so sure. I have no experience what so ever on building anything, so if you have really, really, really easy instructions to follow on a chicken coop, can you send me the link or tell me about them?

 

[dancingqueen]

If you are only getting 3 chickens then your coop must be no small than 12 square feet, and your run must be 30sq ft. They say 4sq ft per bird in the coop and 10sq ft per bird in the run. So your space is plenty big for 3 birds. Check out mypetchicken.com for coops and you can look at the coops page here for ideas and inspiration. Some people even share their plans and supplies list.

 

[donrae]

Where are you located? Location/local climate can make coops/runs look very different from area to area.

I'd also advise finding someone local to build you a coop. Pre-fab coops are notoriously flimsy and poorly made. Lots of construction folks who aren't making money elsewhere have turned to making chicken coops for income, and they're so much better than mass produced. Someone like that could come out and custom design a coop for you, since your space is kind of an odd number of feet.

Wish I could help with more specifics, but my main coop is a converted greenhouse that was here when we moved her. Second "coop" is a goat shelter, broody hen's pen was a lamb transport cage.....we kinda do things differently here

 

[tiddlywinks]

If you are only getting 3 chickens then your coop must be no small than 12 square feet, and your run must be 30sq ft. They say 4sq ft per bird in the coop and 10sq ft per bird in the run. So your space is plenty big for 3 birds. Check out mypetchicken.com for coops and you can look at the coops page here for ideas and inspiration. Some people even share their plans and supplies list.

I checked my pet chicken, but they say that their coops are meant for free-range chickens that at least have a hour of free-ranging. Are their any other good websites that sell chicken coops that aren't flimsy?

 

[TomGallopavo]

If it were me I would build the coop 5x5 and the rest run. I would elevate the coop 2 feet of so so that under it is part of the run. Make it tall enough to walk in, much easier to clean. If coons are a problem make sure to use hard wire on the run. Look through the excellent coops on the site. I built ours but maybe you can find some Amish to do it. They are excellent craftsman around here and work very quickly...price is reasonable. You will have plenty of room for three hens, they will be happy and so will you...no smell.

 

[tiddlywinks]

So I found this coup, http://chickensaloon.com/the-ranch-backyard-chicken-coop/, but is it big enough for 3 non range chickens?? Thanks.