Help with sizing of hen house

[rocketdoctor]

I have a coup that is surrounded on 2 sides by a 3 foot retaining wall. Im going to put a hen house on top of the retaining wall that the chickens will walk up a ladder to. Im going to have two roosting poles in it, the question is how far above should I put the roof over the highest roost? is 3 ft enough, would 2 ft work?

 

[dheltzel]

2 ft about the top roost is fine. I've made it even closer, especially if the roof slopes up so their heads are not in the very top.

 

[aart]

The higher over the roost the roof, and it's ventilation, is..... the better.
Especially if you live in a cold climate.

 

[rocketdoctor]

The higher over the roost the roof, and it's ventilation, is..... the better.
Especially if you live in a cold climate.

No live in California so never very cold but it does get hot . I am going to have one side of the hen house thats sheilded from the wind , Hardwire mesh to allow for adequate ventalation during summer

 

[aart]

Quote: Then a more open sided structure would be indicated, maybe with removable siding for wind/storm protection, roof height not as critical....but very deep roof overhangs to prevent ran infiltration might be something to consider.

 

[cajun larry]

Hi I'm a new comer to this always wanted chickens for fresh eggs n meat i just moved to a place where we can have them I'm planning on havein bout 12 hens n 1 rooster my plans for my coop n run da coop will be 5x10 and bout 8' tall my run will be 10x15 and 8'tall will DAT be big enough for 12 hens n 1 rooster tyvm. Cajun Larry