First chicken coop build

[The Settle 10]

The wife and I decided to do the chicken thing like so many others are doing in these crazy times. What do you think? It’s 8x8 and currently houses 10 Rhode Island Red hens purchased from our local tractor supply on April, 25th.

 

[Alaskan]

Looks fantastic.... except I don't see much ventilation... but maybe it doesn't get hot where you are?

 

[Peppercorngal]

What a splendid job you did! Love the painting! The small wire on the bottom is a must! My only concerns are that the "run" area is way too small for 10 chickens, unless you plan to free range during the day as well, and that you don't have an apron to keep foxes, dogs, and other predators from digging under and getting your flock. Maybe you have something in the ground that I'm not seeing?! Also you may be surprised at the amount of water that chickens drink. You may want to add some bigger "bowls". Overall, very, very fancy and nicely built!

 

[Peppercorngal]

Also I put rocks on my apron, in 5 years nothing has gotten in or out!

 

[The Settle 10]

Looks fantastic.... except I don't see much ventilation... but maybe it doesn't get hot where you are?

Thank you very much.

The wife and I decided to do the chicken thing like so many others are doing in these crazy times. What do you think? It’s 8x8 and currently houses 10 Rhode Island Red hens purchased from our local tractor supply on April, 25th.

Looks fantastic.... except I don't see much ventilation... but maybe it doesn't get hot where you are?

thank you so much! And as for ventilation I was hoping we had enough. The front door window is 1/2 hardware cloth along with 2 other windows and then up high we cut 4-2” holes On either side for heat to escape. So far it’s been pretty breezy in there with our highest temp reaching 94° so far here in Oklahoma. I’m ready to cut more holes if needed and definitely open to all and any suggestions from any and all. Thanks again.

 

[The Settle 10]

Also I put rocks on my apron, in 5 years nothing has gotten in or out!


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Yes, thank you so much. We actually went with a product called dig defense they are driven into the ground the whole perimeter of the coop. And I have since added a hot wire to the fence 2 feet high just to keep my dogs off. Also added 2 more water features. I should probably post more current pictures. And the run is aprox 25 feet by 8 feet and than extends 8 feet of the back side with the 8x8 coop open to roam underneath as well. Hopefully they don’t feel too cramped.

 

[The Settle 10]

Also I put rocks on my apron, in 5 years nothing has gotten in or out!


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I like the look of the rocks, gives it a nice landscaped look as well as added protection.

 

[rosemarythyme]

thank you so much! And as for ventilation I was hoping we had enough. The front door window is 1/2 hardware cloth along with 2 other windows and then up high we cut 4-2” holes On either side for heat to escape. So far it’s been pretty breezy in there with our highest temp reaching 94° so far here in Oklahoma. I’m ready to cut more holes if needed and definitely open to all and any suggestions from any and all. Thanks again.

You might have enough ventilation as long as everything stays open, but in hot weather, more is always better. You have some nice space in the soffits between the rafters under the roof edge, so if you need to add more, bust those open and replace with hardware cloth, it's a really fantastic place to have ventilation.

I like the look of the rocks, gives it a nice landscaped look as well as added protection.

IMO skip the rocks, you'd shorten the coverage of your apron by using them, as it effectively moves the "edge" of the run out by however far the rocks extend, as that's where pests will start digging (so 20" apron - 4" rock = 16" apron coverage).

 

[Neggative]

 

[3KillerBs]

So far it’s been pretty breezy in there with our highest temp reaching 94° so far here in Oklahoma. I’m ready to cut more holes if needed and definitely open to all and any suggestions from any and all. Thanks again.

IMO, a coop has enough ventilation when you can't feel any difference between the inside the the outside even on the hottest day.

Both heat and ammonia rise so ventilation at the top is the most critical.