Hi from NC! Thanks to you all! Input on coop plans *NOW W/ PICS!*

[Ema]

 

[suburbanchickymama]

Well, I know I want standard Cochins! They sound so wonderful and are just the cutest things! But then I love so many others - Wyandottes, Brahmas, Marans, Americaunas, and on and on...! The problem is that I only want about 5 hens. But, I have a while to figure that out. I have been checking out White Oak Poultry who is not far away, and she is on here though I haven't contacted her yet. Any suggestions for me???

 

[suburbanchickymama]

OK, here's my free coop and where I plan to put it and build a covered run. BRING ON THE SUGGESTIONS!!!!!!!
















So it's kinda hard to tell but in the first pic of the backyard the run will go from just to the left of the little trail until you get to the big tree. It's a pretty big space I think. And then will go down about 12 feet I'll guess. Maybe more. They won't be able to roam the yard, so does that seem adequate?

And now, my babies just for fun!

Seriously, any and all tips welcome! Thanks!!

 

[suburbanchickymama]

I feel like this is cheating but I really need some input! I'm hoping to get working on the coop and run tomorrow! Any suggestions for me?? Location in yard look ok? Need more windows in the coop? Oh yeah, and the coop is 6x6x8' tall. If I go for larger chickens are the roosts too high? Is it a problem that there is not outside access for egg collecting? So much to think about!

Thanks again!

Lisa

 

[Wild Trapper]

I have a 8x10 storage shed I converted to a coop. It's hard to get enough windows in a chicken coop, especially built like mine with a hip roof. I put electric in mine so I can plug in a heater for the waterer and also have a light on a timer, to give them 14 hours of light. Also check the woods for signs of predators as they like to sneak in and steal hens and eggs. For the reason of electric and predators I would personally place it closer in and fence in a yard area as large as I could afford to kinda contain them for protection more than anything. That's just a couple things, but how high are the roosts? I made mine in steps a bout a foot each to the top one (3'), where the hens love the top roost the best. The lower ones are for steps, but if I have 21 birds in there, which I do right now, some of them have to take lower roosts. If you don't have a fenced in area planned, don't worry about the nest boxes being inside. Mine are inside access as I would have had to cut out part of the side of the building to put them on the outside. Plus we have cold winters, and I wanted to keep the nesting areas inside the tight building.

 

[M To The Maxx]