I'm getting ready to start a new coop. The one I have is much too small for the amount of chickens I intend on having... Any suggestions? Oh and I need to keep about 10 roos seperate from my hens and each other... Any suggestions on that? I want them to have enough space without it getting too costly
Getting ready to build new coop- any suggestions?
- Thread starter CHIC
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Your query is a bit...vague.
I'd suggest building it big enough to house any future flock expansion you foresee...
Typical minimum size recommendations are 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq ft per bird in the secure run...
I'd suggest building it big enough to house any future flock expansion you foresee...
Typical minimum size recommendations are 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq ft per bird in the secure run...
Last edited:
I built a Catawbe A- Frame Coop ( I built two of them)
What I like about the design is that the birds are secure at night. Up and enclosed in wood. During the day I have noticed they go up the ladder and hang out - it feels cool up top when it is hot below. - I can move it around the yard - Keeps the smells down and spreads the fertilizer where and when I want it, Good Ventilation but secure birds.
My neighbors have recently lost birds to racoons. So far I have been fortunate and not had knock on wood, any problems. (not including a persistant Beagle who recently learned about paintball (Yes I lowered the PSI to 230 psi and shot from over 40 feet)) I think because I have been taking up the food at night and moving coop when I lock the girls in at night so they don't have linqering smells.
I wish it was bigger but only have 6 birds and two smaller coops are fine for me.
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cal
JAX FL
What I like about the design is that the birds are secure at night. Up and enclosed in wood. During the day I have noticed they go up the ladder and hang out - it feels cool up top when it is hot below. - I can move it around the yard - Keeps the smells down and spreads the fertilizer where and when I want it, Good Ventilation but secure birds.
My neighbors have recently lost birds to racoons. So far I have been fortunate and not had knock on wood, any problems. (not including a persistant Beagle who recently learned about paintball (Yes I lowered the PSI to 230 psi and shot from over 40 feet)) I think because I have been taking up the food at night and moving coop when I lock the girls in at night so they don't have linqering smells.
I wish it was bigger but only have 6 birds and two smaller coops are fine for me.
cal
JAX FL
I'll tackle the 10 extra roos section...
It seems I'm constantly trying to figure out where to put the extra roosters. It seems on one hand they don't need a lot of space, but on the other hand they sure don't seem as "happy" without some ladies to live with.
But I'd say a minimum long term space requirement for a standard rooster is about a 5X5 square with a perch in it.
I've got one living in our Mini Coop which is about 4.5 X 4.5 and he does great (that one moves around the yard)
Another is in a 2.5 X 4' sectioned off area, this is just barely big enough.
For the winter this year, we are going to divide one of our 9X7 coops... each rooster pen will be approximately 3X5. I would honestly like to work it out so that they have some "extra" girls with them, some I don't care about breeding but will keep them happy & healthy.
Keeping these single pens clean is different for me than my others.. I cannot use my sand method well because there simply isn't the space to get in and clean.. So we use hay in the ones that don't move around. Put down fresh hay every 2-3 days, it rakes out easily as they have matted it down with poop. I would ideally like for them to have much more space than this though.. even though it's just one guy.
So in the end... honestly, I think each rooster would ideally have a 5X5 interior space and an attached run of as much space as is possible. If you put roosters next to eachother, be sure to block them from view of eachother, and use the small welded wire so they can't hurt eachother.
or better yet... get them a trio of ladies to live with, even if you don't care about their offspring and they will all live happily ever after!
ok.. sorry if I'm rambling... I should get busy myself, I have many coops to tend to and a couple of them to finish building myself!!!
Good luck,, and be flexible!
It seems I'm constantly trying to figure out where to put the extra roosters. It seems on one hand they don't need a lot of space, but on the other hand they sure don't seem as "happy" without some ladies to live with.
But I'd say a minimum long term space requirement for a standard rooster is about a 5X5 square with a perch in it.
I've got one living in our Mini Coop which is about 4.5 X 4.5 and he does great (that one moves around the yard)
Another is in a 2.5 X 4' sectioned off area, this is just barely big enough.
For the winter this year, we are going to divide one of our 9X7 coops... each rooster pen will be approximately 3X5. I would honestly like to work it out so that they have some "extra" girls with them, some I don't care about breeding but will keep them happy & healthy.
Keeping these single pens clean is different for me than my others.. I cannot use my sand method well because there simply isn't the space to get in and clean.. So we use hay in the ones that don't move around. Put down fresh hay every 2-3 days, it rakes out easily as they have matted it down with poop. I would ideally like for them to have much more space than this though.. even though it's just one guy.
So in the end... honestly, I think each rooster would ideally have a 5X5 interior space and an attached run of as much space as is possible. If you put roosters next to eachother, be sure to block them from view of eachother, and use the small welded wire so they can't hurt eachother.
or better yet... get them a trio of ladies to live with, even if you don't care about their offspring and they will all live happily ever after!
ok.. sorry if I'm rambling... I should get busy myself, I have many coops to tend to and a couple of them to finish building myself!!!
Good luck,, and be flexible!
I have several acres and my preference is a coop that I can walk into. Of course that may cost a little more than the small coops, but I like to spend some time there, especially when the chickens settle down for the night. Chickens are so funny.
Of course, you have to think about restrictions where you live, building codes (many do not apply to small out-buildings), community rules, how many chickens you want, etc.
If you keep your roosters seperate, are you planning a little run for each of them?
Start looking for used lumber. Do you know anyone who is tearing something down? Used windows?
Much of my coop is made of repurposed items. I got free windows, free old decking, and checked on Craigslist for other items.
My son-in-law and I went to Portland for their tour of coops and one thing that was interesting was the creative use of materials. Think outside of the box, recycle, and put the word out that you are starting a building project.
More information on your situation would be helpful. How many chickens you plan to keep. How much space do you have.
Of course, you have to think about restrictions where you live, building codes (many do not apply to small out-buildings), community rules, how many chickens you want, etc.
If you keep your roosters seperate, are you planning a little run for each of them?
Start looking for used lumber. Do you know anyone who is tearing something down? Used windows?
Much of my coop is made of repurposed items. I got free windows, free old decking, and checked on Craigslist for other items.
My son-in-law and I went to Portland for their tour of coops and one thing that was interesting was the creative use of materials. Think outside of the box, recycle, and put the word out that you are starting a building project.
More information on your situation would be helpful. How many chickens you plan to keep. How much space do you have.
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I am planning on having around 7 roos and 20 hens.. I wanna have the option of breeding and of just eggs... I don't wanna eat any fertilized eggs.. had a really bad experience lately with that. I have a ton of scrap wood and windows someone gave me so that shouldn't be a prob. Can roos that grow up together stay together, without hens?
in general - try for about 1 roo to 10 ladies.
I am thinking you might be a little heavy in the roos.
I am thinking you might be a little heavy in the roos.
- Thread starter
- #9
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