Hillside coop! I want to hear from you!

Beckaryu

Chirping
May 18, 2021
59
94
76
Northern BC Canada
Hi everyone! We have dug out a hillside to put our chicken coop into and will start building the frame in the next month.
We live in the northern region of Canada where the weather gets cold, so opting to use thermal mass from the ground is going to help the chickens stay a constant warm in the winter and a constant cool in the summer. Here’s my question - As we have never had chickens before, and thus never built a coop, I would love to have some input and ideas on what you think are things every coop should have!
 

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I'm a beginner too, but if it was me, I'd try to make it like a cave, if possible. It'd be out of the weather and wind, but not sure about the ventilation though
 
Are you going for a hobbit hole vibe? I'd check out this build article https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/our-diy-hobbit-house-chicken-coop.1207697/#post-19179434

And this article is great for figuring out the size you need
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

But the best advice I've seen on here is to make it 2x the size you think you need, add 2x the ventilation you think you need, expect it to take 2x longer than you plan to build, and cost 2x as much as you plan (can someone help me figure out who said that?)
 
Are you going for a hobbit hole vibe? I'd check out this build article https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/our-diy-hobbit-house-chicken-coop.1207697/#post-19179434

And this article is great for figuring out the size you need
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

But the best advice I've seen on here is to make it 2x the size you think you need, add 2x the ventilation you think you need, expect it to take 2x longer than you plan to build, and cost 2x as much as you plan (can someone help me figure out who said that?)
Oh my goodness I love the name!
thank-you for this reply! I shall check it all out. Excellent advice 😎
I think we might be over building the size of this coop for 8 baby chicks, but in time I’m sure we will get more 😁
I think the vibe we are going for is a little bit of a modern earthship...?
 
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Hi everyone! We have dug out a hillside to put our chicken coop into and will start building the frame in the next month.
We live in the northern region of Canada where the weather gets cold, so opting to use thermal mass from the ground is going to help the chickens stay a constant warm in the winter and a constant cool in the summer. Here’s my question - As we have never had chickens before, and thus never built a coop, I would love to have some input and ideas on what you think are things every coop should have!
You'd have to bury the whole thing to be 'constant'.
What are your plans for materials of construction?
Drainage/flooding might be an issue halfway down a hill.
Is that hillside facing south or....?
Dry is the best thing to have in a coop....along with copious ventilation(even in winter).
Here's my thoughts on heights:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

This might help in your climate:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/


Oh, and... Welcome to BYC! @Beckaryu
northern region of Canada
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
1621984507649.png
 
Here are general guidelines:

4 sf of space in the coop per chicken.
10 sf of space in the run per chicken.
1 foot of roost space per chicken.
1 sf of ventilation that is open 24/7/365 per chicken. The ventilation should be above the birds' heads when they are roosting. This is necessary in cold climates too, to help prevent frostbite.
 
Here are general guidelines:

4 sf of space in the coop per chicken.
10 sf of space in the run per chicken.
1 foot of roost space per chicken.
1 sf of ventilation that is open 24/7/365 per chicken. The ventilation should be above the birds' heads when they are roosting. This is necessary in cold climates too, to help prevent frostbite.
Thanks!
 
Welcome to BYC.

We didn't end up doing the earth-sheltered coop, but here's a discussion from when we were considering it. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...n-earth-sheltered-coop.1390797/#post-22828295

To me the key things for a chicken coop are to keep it dry, keep it well-ventilated (part of keeping it dry), and make it spacious.

@Sally PB has quoted the Usual Guidelines for you. I'll add a link to this thread about when you might want more then the minimums -- with severe winters being prominent among those times: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...ave-more-than-the-minimums-for-space.1462570/

And this is BYC's best article on cold-weather chicken care: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/
 
This is gold! Thanks everyone! I have some major video/links homework to do 🤓
Some of the things I’ve learned so far:
Space! Chicken need it to be healthy and loved.
Be conscious of ventilation! be sure there is enough and it works well with the design, ventilation from above in the cold areas.
Drainage- yes, it’s draining towards the garden area (luckily my husband is a hardscape landscaper so he is very concerned with that part👍)
Direction. it is facing South - we will be making sure there is mass in the back that will hold heat to create a “constant” temp.
more, more, more! This is so great to have this community!
 

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