Help me decide on a chicken coop

[Tonyroo]

What's the measurement from coop floor to the roof eves? From the picture it looks like 3 1/2 to 4 feet high?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I would go with minimum 4 sq. feet per bird. If the 6x4 dimensions are NOT including the nest boxes, then 6 birds max IMHO, a few more if bantam, maybe 8. Agree it needs more ventilation ABOVE the roosting area. Otherwise it looks pretty solid. "Predator Proof" would depend on the predator.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

According to those dimensions it should be able to hold 12 birds, but I probably wouldn't put that may in there.
I can't really tell if there is enough ventilation, but I'd probably go ahead and add some more. I would be very concerned about the roost/ventialtion placement. Drafts are going to blow directly onto the birds while they sleep, and this will chill them in the winter. They also look kind of high. If its for bantams then that will be fine, but for standards those perches might be hard to reach, especially for heavy weight breeds.
There also way to many nesting boxes. Even if you did put in 12 birds, you would only need 3. Not that that affects the build a whole bunch, but it does take up a lot of extra a space, and shows that the builder doesn't' know much about chickens.

Thank you for your input!

Those are the only major flaws I'm noticing, but my next question would be how much does it cost? Its very likely you can build a coop with better dimensions, and far less flaws for much cheeper than most prefabs/custom builds.

It costs $375. Unfortunately, building a coop is out of the question right now.

Just note that 2sq ft. per hen is based off of commercial chicken farmers, or products that people are trying to sell. Purina recommends that because the more birds you have the more feed you buy, and other companies too. Commercial poultry farms that want to advertise well try to abide to that, but that just because they want to fit as many birds in that space as possible.
Those dimensions are most based off of the typical backyard chicken owners needs or necessities. I think you should go for a bigger coop, that looks awfully small. Hoop Coops are very easy to build, have lots of opportunity for ventilation, and can probably be build with scraps and minimal purchases.

Ok. Yep, good to know. Thanks.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

10 LF would be maxed out, for the size dimensions I would say 6 LF or 10 bantam would be comfortable for the chickens.

I see a air gap near the peak which is good, but you would need to drill some holes near the bottom wall for proper air flow.

Nice design but what's with so many nesting boxes?

What's the measurement from coop floor to the roof eves? From the picture it looks like 3 1/2 to 4 feet high?

From the ground to the peak of the roof is 5'9" so idk maybe about 5'?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Thank you for your input!

It costs $375. Unfortunately, building a coop is out of the question right now.

Ok. Yep, good to know. Thanks.

That is a GREAT price with the cost of lumber these days. I say go for it!

 

[Weeg]

It costs $375. Unfortunately, building a coop is out of the question right now.

Gottcha. Thats not to bad, but for the amount of space, I think you could do better. If your going to spend your money on something, make sure you get something that is the right size, and works correctly. You get what you pay for/put time into.
Could you purchase a shed from Lowes or similar?
It would be more expensive than that coop, but it would provide more space, and you could make sure it was adequate for your birds instead of someone else visual.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Rubbermaid-5-ft-x-6-ft-Storage-Shed/5006014231
Something like the above?
You'd have to have to time/tools to add ventilation, roosts, and a chicken door, but that takes minimal time with the right tools. Maybe you know someone that would help in exchange for eggs?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

The person selling the coop just texted back and answered my question. (Which was "Why are there so many nesting boxes?".)

I quote:
"The reason for that is in any chicken coop or chicken house there should be two thirds as many nesting boxes as there are chickens."

So....either they don't know anything about chickens or.....??

 

[Weeg]

The person selling the coop just texted back and answered my question. (Which was "Why are there so many nesting boxes?".)

I quote:
"The reason for that is in any chicken coop or chicken house there should be two thirds as many nesting boxes as there are chickens."

So....either they don't know anything about chickens or.....??

They are incorrect. Their should be 1/4 of a nesting box per bird. So for 12 birds (which is still way to many for that coop) you would only want 3 nesting boxes. For 4 birds or 6 birds, which would fit better in that coop, you would only want 1 nesting box. Maybe 2 for 6, but one is probably adequate.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

They are incorrect. Their should be 1/4 of a nesting box per bird. So for 12 birds (which is still way to many for that coop) you would only want 3 nesting boxes. For 4 birds or 6 birds, which would fit better in that coop, you would only want 1 nesting box. Maybe 2 for 6, but one is probably adequate.

Could I take the dividers out of one of the sides and make that part of the coop??

 

[LadiesAndJane]

I have 3 nest boxes for 9 birds in one of my coops and they all use the same one.