Hi from Mississippi!

[brandirjones]

I just finished up my chicken pen run yesterday. All i have left is the door and my laying box! Im so excited to start raising chickens i can hardly wait! I've never raised them but I look forward to the journey. My long term goal is to be able to afford a chicken house as an addition. Lumber is just too expensive to build one. I look forward to all the wonderful advice i will gain here! OH...my demensions of the pen are 28X28. How many should i start off with?

 

[iwiw60]

Greetings from Oregon!

With no coop I take it your flock will be out in the run 24/7 then? Hmmmm .. are you planning on raising layers or meat birds? For a temporary night-time housing see if you can locate an old outdoor playhouse maybe .. look on CriagsList..people are always giving them away for hauling them off..just an idea. Your best bet is to browse this BYC thread for ideas galore:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance

 

[sumi]

Welcome to BYC

Glad you joined us! There is an excellent article on chickens and spare requirements here that will give you an idea of what you need to/can do:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.


Sumi and iwiw have given you great links and tips.

Here's a few more links
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coop_Designs
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

You have been left some great links to follow. Generally 5 square feet per bird in the coop, 10 square feet per bird in the run.

Good luck with all your projects and adventures and welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! You might like to check out the threads on pallet coops, they are usually made from recycled/ reclamined wood, there are some threads that have pics etc of smaller pallet coops being built, ie https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/792316/my-4x6-pallet-coop-build-completed-pic-heavy and https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/636121/show-off-your-small-or-cheap-made-coop

 

[drumstick diva]

Many people build coops and runs from repurposed materials. You may find stores throwing out packing crates, pallets etc. Or neighbors (craigs list too) disposing of dog runs, dog houses, sometimes people even want to get rid of coops and birds.

There are materials out there usually free for the taking. Try checking also after garage sales (people dump what didn't sell) and on garbage days - old bookshelves, cabinets etc. can be repurposed for coops/nest boxes etc.

 

[gander007]

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you decided to join our flock. You've been given some good links and advice by the other members. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.