Hello from Alabama! Reading for years, finally planning coop

Which is better for coop? Raised coop or walk in?

  • Raised coop with walk in run

    Votes: 1 14.3%

  • Walk in coop and run

    Votes: 6 85.7%
  • Total voters
    7
  • Poll closed .
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If you’re thinking about a flock of 12, go big. 6x8 will give you 48 square feet, 4 square feet per bird. That’s usually the recommended space for chickens. I personally would not go smaller. If you plan on a run, recommendation is 10 square feet per chicken. Consider predators-you may want a roof or some type of cover for the run. DLM or some ‘modified’ version is fine. Think about access to cleaning, egg gathering. I had a raised coop in the beginning with a walk in run. I quickly changed over to a larger walk in coop and run, for me it is easier to clean and maintain. All my bedding and poo goes in the compost, I cannot really do DLM as my coop has solid floors, not earth. I do a total clean out twice a year, scoop poop board daily and during winter spot clean shavings and rake some sweet PDZ in as needed to control moisture and smell, top off with some fresh shavings and it works well until the snow is gone and I can do a spring cleaning. Hopefully some folks that do DLM can chime in with their experience :)
 
fldiver97 said:
If you’re thinking about a flock of 12, go big. 6x8 will give you 48 square feet, 4 square feet per bird. That’s usually the recommended space for chickens. I personally would not go smaller. If you plan on a run, recommendation is 10 square feet per chicken. Consider predators-you may want a roof or some type of cover for the run. DLM or some ‘modified’ version is fine. Think about access to cleaning, egg gathering. I had a raised coop in the beginning with a walk in run. I quickly changed over to a larger walk in coop and run, for me it is easier to clean and maintain. All my bedding and poo goes in the compost, I cannot really do DLM as my coop has solid floors, not earth. I do a total clean out twice a year, scoop poop board daily and during winter spot clean shavings and rake some sweet PDZ in as needed to control moisture and smell, top off with some fresh shavings and it works well until the snow is gone and I can do a spring cleaning. Hopefully some folks that do DLM can chime in with their experience :)
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I "THINK" I want a raised coop so I don't have to walk into the poop house,lol.
The run will be covered as well. I work at least 13 hours, two days on then two days off so my coop has to be able to function on auto for those two days. Looking for automated help to work for me during my work days.
 
SouthernCountryGirl said:
Hi everyone! I've wanted chickens for years and now finally convinced (read coerced) my husband to agree :)
He can build ANYTHING and puts great effort into all his projects. So..... I want to get my design right the first time. Let me be clear, I have NEVER raised chickens before. I want a coop with growing room but I plan on having 4-6 chickens to start with a max at 12 later on. MY brother-in-law has chickens and will give me some starters to have eggs immediately. Maybe later let one of my hens hatch out some chicks. Anyway, LOVE this site!! So excited to be a part of this community!
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Hi fellow Bama resident! Be sure to also check out the state thread to get acquainted with others in our fair state!
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SouthernCountryGirl said:
I "THINK" I want a raised coop so I don't have to walk into the poop house,lol.
The run will be covered as well. I work at least 13 hours, two days on then two days off so my coop has to be able to function on auto for those two days. Looking for automated help to work for me during my work days.
Click to expand...
Consider putting poop boards under your roost. That way you can have a walk in if you want.
 
Bamabexchicks said:
Hi fellow Bama resident! Be sure to also check out the state thread to get acquainted with others in our fair state!View attachment 1734755
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Where is this thread? I haven't found it. Thanks, knowing what people do in our hot weather will be invaluable info. Can't relate to all the "snow" pictures, Lol.
 

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