Hoping to build a new coop! What do y'all think my design should include?

[snow5164]

Nothing is cheap, when your preparing to raise animals you need to plan and make it safe.

What not to do ?1- Never buy chicken wire... it rips and dogs can get through it
2- don’t make it too small , they will pick at each other and be too hot
3-dont use nails screws come out again when you change your mind

Do your research, this is important

 

[nessa.morg]

Nothing is cheap, when your preparing to raise animals you need to plan and make it safe.

What not to do ?1- Never buy chicken wire... it rips and dogs can get through it
2- don’t make it too small , they will pick at each other and be too hot
3-dont use nails screws come out again when you change your mind

Do your research, this is important

I agree. I would rather spend more money and keep my chickens protected

 

[Birdsong 82]

Definitely predator proofing is important and I always build bigger than I need at the time cause... well... chicken math is the only math I’m good at when building run I learned the hard way never use staples or regular nails. Fencing nails all the way! Elevated coop may be helpful for you in Louisiana for extra shade area. I elevate mine to create air flow to also keep it warm in winter but don’t know if that’s concern in your area.

 

[Birdsong 82]

For inside rules I use when building is 4 sq ft coop and at LEAST 10 sq ft of run per chicken. 10” of roost pole space per chicken and if multiple roost poles I put 12 - 18 in apart. Poop boards extremely helpful! I try to go with 1 nest box for every 3 chickens. And found out this year how worth it is to spend the little bit extra and get scrap vinyl to help protect the floor. Everybody situation is different but that’s what works for me. I think you chickens will be much happier with what you build

 

[True Patriot]

You can see what I've done on my coop link to the left. I combined a (traditional?) Raised coop with a hoop coop run. Coop is 4'w x 8'l x 6'6"h the run is 8' x 12' x 6'4"h. I based the coop size on 6 full size chickens. I have 10 straight run chicks and will be reducing by how many cockerels I end up with. What I like: it's raised, we get a lot of rain and being dry was a huge factor. The human access door is large making maintenance access easy. I have a 18" x 26" x 20" community nesting box. (The jury is still out, since I have a few months before they lay)
What I don't like: the size, I would build the next one bigger. (Chicken math)
As far as keeping cost down. Repurposed material was a big factor for me. I work in construction. About half of my materials came from the scrap pile. If you know anyone that's a contractor they may be willing to help. Pallets are another source, many places throw them away. There are some design options in the coop building pages. One thing I can say don't go cheap on is hardware cloth. Get the real thing from the beginning. It's not the cheapest, but in the end you'll pay for it anyway to save your flock. Hope this helps

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

How much is hardware cloth? Is it relatively cheap?

No. Don’t buy it at Home Depot or a big box store it will cost you even more. I got a 4 foot tall 100 foot long roll of 1/2” hardware clothe from mypetchicken.com for $200.

 

[Birdsong 82]

No. Don’t buy it at Home Depot or a big box store it will cost you even more. I got a 4 foot tall 100 foot long roll of 1/2” hardware clothe from mypetchicken.com for $200.

Really good info. Wish I knew that a month go before expansion!

 

[Birdsong 82]

I work construction also. 8’x 12’ floor framed with pallets with ply wood on top. Scrap form board I scavenge then sand nd paint to protect. Barn and fence paint 15 dollars a gallon. I grab anything I see available getting tossed and seems useable sand and paint. Metal signs are great for poop boards or roofing for small coops. And creativity ! We converted some old cabinets ( free ) into nesting boxes

 

[Birdsong 82]

Pallets can be wall framing too. All shelters. Goat pig and chicken at my house are floor framed with pallets Compost binsvre pallets. Goat wooden walk wh. Pallets too. They are too versatile! Even using a mini pallet to make a front porch for their new expanded coop cause... well I’m a dork. Lol

 

[nessa.morg]

Pallets can be wall framing too. All shelters. Goat pig and chicken at my house are floor framed with pallets Compost binsvre pallets. Goat wooden walk wh. Pallets too. They are too versatile! Even using a mini pallet to make a front porch for their new expanded coop cause... well I’m a dork. Lol

you can find free pallets all over craigslist too. So that is very helpful