Going on the Stealth for a Chicken coop.

[Chickenhuntin]

New to the group. I am building a Coop that will look like a short mower shed. with solid front doors for the winter and company that wouldn't understand having chickens.lol. My area is not Chicken friendly, But yet people down the street have Game birds in a dog run out in the open. I have Six Chickens. 3 Sumatra 1 Barred rock and 2 Reds. THey are very sweet and I am going to make them my yard work posse. I have 5' Chainlink fence and putting Vinyl Slating to give privacy and stealthiness to my flock. I was thinking of a size 4' by 8 foot for the coop. Should give them plenty of room, But stay small in the foot print. Any suggestions?

 

[LilBizzy]

That sounds like a good size coop for 6 chickens. I like the idea of making it look like a little shed, to keep it from looking like a chicken coop. Just ensure they have plenty of ventilation, and they like a window to look out also. You can look at the coop design section- many of the coops are low profile.

 

[CoyoteMagic]

You should be fine as long as your hens don't "broadcast" that they have layed an egg. My RIR's and Redsexies go off for a half hour afterwards. BAAAAAAAAAAAWK BAWK BAWK BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWK BAWK BAWK!!

 

[Chickenhuntin]

I guess that is good in a way to let you know you got eggs. I'll post pics when Iam done.My wife says I got these chickens just so I can make something. (I am a furniture/woodworker/cabinet guy.lol)

 

[UGAchick]

My husband suspects the same of me. And for the most part he is right. I have had more fun finding recycled wood and building my tractor than I have had doing anything else lately!

 

[Chickenhuntin]

This thing is sweet. Open air design. Total 4"x 8" 3 foot high. It has a 1/2" plexiglass roof. 32" x 48" Plexi wall house inside.Two hen boxes, feeder that holds a 50 pd bag. And solid doors for the winter. I am hoping the closed up shed would act as a green house for the winter. And encourage the hens to lay since they would see light early.

 

[squiqwe]

Just wanted to encourage you. My area in Ohio is not chicken friendly either. So I call my brood ninja chickens cause I have to hide them. I talked to my neighbors first and they don't mind. I am getting a quiet breed australorps. and I won't get a rooster. I also am going to try the DE method to try and keep down any odor. I also am putting up a privacy fence for the outside run. Good luck.

 

[cassie]

I've seen a stealth rabbitry and I'm sure the same thing would work for chickens. The building looked like a garden shed with white lattice and vines growing on it. Not only was it very attractive, but no one would ever guess there were critters inside.

 

[Badlatitude]

Quote:
they dont cook in the sun with plexiglass?

 

[Chickenhuntin]

Where I have it located is under these HUGE Old growth pine trees. So the sun only hits them til like 12. then the rest of the day is in the shade. During the winter I will move them out to the center to get winter sun heat.