Home for 4 Hens

[toastinboots]

I'm planning my first coop and run design, and am hoping it's large enough for four hens. (Will probably get two Buff Orpingtons and two Golden Comets). The coop is 4' x 4', run is 4' x 10'. These chickens will likely have some free range time in the yard, but probably only for a few hours at a time maybe three days a week.

Does this size seem big enough for 4? Suggestions welcome!

 

[aart]

Nice scaled orthographic drawings!!
I'd go bigger if at all possible.
If you do go that small, lower your nest and roost(not much landing room in a 4x4).

Welcome to BYC! @toastinboots
Guessing from your screen name you live somewhere cold, but....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I'd try for a little bigger. My biggest complaint about my coop is how hard it is to clean because I have to bend over... which is something else to keep in mind. And chicken math is real. You're always going to want more birds. Even if you don't end up getting them, more room is usually appreciated by the flock. Besides, after building it, you're not going to be very motivated to build another! Your design looks really thorough though As is, you're meeting the size requirements for four birds and it would be adequate.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
I think it's too small, and not tall enough, unless you are all very short. Building small will not be best at all, even if you can only have four birds! If you can have more, you will (it's chicken math!) and this structure barely makes it for four birds.
Also, having it be walk-in tall is so much better! You will hate crouching in it, and consider having to crawl under it! Ground level is good, with a dig proof perimeter, and you won't want critters under that raised coop anyway.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Four feet wide is too narrow, because these birds need to be able to have more personal space to avoid conflicts.
Build bigger! And with more ventilation too. And plan for snow load, depending on your location.
Mary

 

[toastinboots]

Just what I needed to hear. Bigger! I think I can re-work the layout to make it taller, and the coop 4 x 5 instead of 4 x 4. I'm also going to look into stretching the run a bit farther back into the woods, maybe 7 x 7 instead of 4 x 8. Beyond that, I really don't have the space to make it bigger. My compromise will have to be fewer chickens if my new layout does not work out. How many chickens is too few - I don't want them to be cold or lonely? Will two or three be content, or do they like to be in a larger group?

 

[Folly's place]

When you plan, if you are using plywood, think in 4' and 8' dimensions, for much less waste and fewer cuts. Bigger!
Three or more chickens, because when one dies, you will have a lonely bird, and they are flock animals, not meant to be solitary.
Mary

 

[rosemarythyme]

The coop and run that you sketched are big enough for 4, but at an absolute minimum. Your new plan is better, as it adds a little more space in both run and coop, as well as some width.

 

[toastinboots]

Yeah, I'd really like four. We are a family of four, and we have already picked out names for four. And we want them to be happy in a good social group!

 

[toastinboots]

As I'm re-working my plans, and I may be able to give a little space here take a little space there, would it be better to make the coop bigger, or the run bigger?

There's a big old walnut tree limiting how far I can go in one direction, and a steep hill/potential erosion area in the other direction.