Help with size of new coop...

[sherrybwc]

Hi gang...

We were all ready to jump in and get started on a coop a couple of months ago, but after reading a LOT of posts, we decided to "re-educate" ourselves before proceeding.

We want to build a coop for 2dz hens (yet to be purchased). I've read that each hen needs, at minimum, 4sf of space.

Our overall design is that of an old-fashioned hen house where the front walls (at 12') are taller than the rear walls (at 8'). It has a flat roof that, obviously, slopes to the rear (a pent roof, I think it's called). It would be 16' wide by 10' deep, so that would give us 160sf of floor space, sufficient height for roosts, and allow for some storage space.

I think we should floor it because of rain runoff (due to the location of the coop on our property), but DH thinks not (guess who's gonna win THIS one

).

Does this sound OK?

Thanks,

Sherry

 

[ILOVEFRIZZLES]

sound great to me post pic as you build it

 

[JessHall]

I KNOW you'll win this.. You go girl! Anyway, I think that your square footage should be thought through... what type of chickens do you want? Large Breed? Bantum? Are your chickens going to be let out to free range at all? If not, I'd build it a bit larger, like 8-10sqft per bird. Overcrowding can present a bunch of nasty problems like disease, pecking each other etc.
Overall your plan sounds great! Have fun!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
While I am normally an advocate of much roomier coops, I will say that in Alabama that is probably a very reasonable size provided they have *ample* *shaded* run space available.

Our overall design is that of an old-fashioned hen house where the front walls (at 12') are taller than the rear walls (at 8'). It has a flat roof that, obviously, slopes to the rear (a pent roof, I think it's called).

You might consider building it shorter and with less roof pitch, as it will be noticeably cheaper and easier to build, also more storm-resistant because it will catch less wind. 8' sloping back to 6' would be quite sufficient IMO.

Make sure there is loads and loads of ventilation, ie. entire large portions of walls that can be opened up (tho with predatorproof mesh on the openings of course)

I think we should floor it because of rain runoff (due to the location of the coop on our property), but DH thinks not (guess who's gonna win THIS one

).

You absolutely 200% do NOT WANT THE COOP TO FLOOD EVER. Not only is it bad for the chickens, it is highly stressful for the chicken owner

and can be a constant ongoing headache. If the site EVER gets standing or flowing water, I would absolutely build it up on blocks or posts (posts, probably, if it's 10x16) with a raised floor. You will sooooo never regret it! Also, while a dirt floor is seemingly cheaper, you will spend some of the difference in extra defenses required vs digging predators (wire, etc) whereas a raised floor is automatically predatorproof. I would recommend raising it at LEAST a foot off the ground to minimize the potential for it becoming a rat/mouse/raccoon farm underneath.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​

 

[kathyinmo]

Sherry,
You can see my coop, on my BYC page. It is 16' x 12' and, as Pat suggested, 8 ft in the front and 6 ft in the back (sloping "shed" roof). I am happy with it. I also suggest a wooden floor, over dirt. Many reasons, including the ones mentioned and cleaning. It is nice to be able to clean out linoleum floors easily, or just heavily painted with porch (oil) paint (psst: I prefer Valspar brand!).

Hey, you're gonna love it! Good luck (on winning the discussion)!
Have fun!
Kathy

 

[sherrybwc]

First off, thanks to all of you for your input!

JessHall...my GGM kept RIRs, white leghorns, silver laced wyandottes, and dominikers, so, naturally, I'm leaning towards those breeds as I'm familiar with them (but I'm open to suggestions). Also, as I'm in Alabama and it gets HOT here and I need to keep that in mind.

As far as letting them free range, no...we live back in the woods and are wrapped up in owls, coons, and 'possums. We're going to enclose a large covered yard for them with 2" heavy gauge welded wire fencing.

Pat...I'm thinking you may be right about the height. It has been a loooong time since either of us has been inside a coop and we were guess-timating. I COMPLETELY agree about flooring the coop and raising it off the ground.

Kathy...Loved your pics! Your design is similar to mine except I'm venting a bit differently.

ILOVEFRIZZLES...I'll post 'em when we get started.

Again, thanks!

Sherry