Help! New to this and need some info!

[halfpint512]

Hello all;

This is my first time getting chickens, building a coop, and the whole sha-bang...and am hoping to get some info from all of you who are way smarter than me.

1.) I am getting 25 egg laying chickens. How large of a coop do I need to have for them? Keep in mind that I live in Wisconsin so they will have to be cooped over the winter.
2.) I also want to get about 12 cornish cross for meat. Do I need to keep them seperate from the egg layers? Or can they be together? Will the crosses need a coop too, or can I just tarp over a fenced in area for them to give shelter from rain?
3.) Because I am in Wisconsin, do I need to keep the coop on the ground for more warmth, or can I have them in a raised coop?

Thanks so much for any info that you can give me!

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

First of all,

1) If they have to be locked up in the winter, there will be no such thing as "too big". The bigger the better. If there isn't enough room, you will have pecking, fights, egg eating, etc...I would say at LEAST 250 sq feet, so they have ample room when they can't get outside...400 would probably be better.

2) Usually you feed meaties differently, so seperating them would probably be a good idea. A temporary coop would probably be fine for them, since you butcher them so young, you won't have to winter them over. But, I would do at least a 3 sided structure of some kind, plus the tarp cover.

3) I'm in Oregon, so I can't really answer that question...I would think that for a coop as large as you are going to need, off the ground wouldn't be very feasible, though it would make it easier to get into when you have feet of snow on the ground...

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Even in Wisconsin, you can and should offer them the *option* of going outside in the winter -- a wind-protected run, ideally with part of it roofed, will make the outdoors a lot more appealing.

That said, you are best off with a BIG coop. I would agree with the previous post, at least 10 sq ft per chicken would be smart, if not more. (I do 12-15 sq ft, plus a roofed and 3-sides-enclosed run, here in Ontario) Are you *sure* you want that many chickens? That is potentially almost a dozen eggs a day when they're laying well, and a LOT of mouths to feed when they're not, and a lot of coop and run to build...

2.) I also want to get about 12 cornish cross for meat. Do I need to keep them seperate from the egg layers? Or can they be together? Will the crosses need a coop too, or can I just tarp over a fenced in area for them to give shelter from rain?

I would strongly suggest keeping the meaties separate, for a variety of reasons (especially for sanitation and to keep them from getting unduly pecked). If you only do them during the warm part of the year, a 3-sided shed should be fine, as long as you have brooder space for them for the first several weeks.

3.) Because I am in Wisconsin, do I need to keep the coop on the ground for more warmth, or can I have them in a raised coop?

You will be better off, with that large a coop, with it right on the ground. First, because you will benefit from the thermal mass of the earth; and second, because it does not work so well to build a raised-floor coop that large (unless you build it pole-barn style, but in that case it becomes significantly more expensive, and does not really have any meaningful advantages IMHO). I would also suggest insulating it HEAVILY, including the ceiling; that will help you make best use of the natural warmth of the ground. (Of course you will ALSO want some ventilation open too, but no, those two things are NOT mutually contradictory

)

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[bigstack]

If its just over night or bad weather 4 sq ft per bird.....BUT if its going to be Lived in....MINIMUM 10sq ft per bird minimum!!!!! Bigger is better and cleaner! Easier to keep your egg production up and less fighting and health issues!!! 25 birds absolute MINIMUM is 250 sq ft. 400 is big but trust me it would be ALOT better on the birds and you!

Good Luck and God Bless!