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

[JDN]

I don't know what you consider not getting cold because it gets down to the twentys some time here. Is that cold or no?

No. Not for chickens. Not for anywhere in this country, really. "Cold" means that its cold for an extended enough time period that one can drive his pickup truck onto the lake, where he has parked his camper, and go fishing.

 

[nessa.morg]

Hi! You're getting good advice here. Ventilation and predator-proofing are the keys. I'm in NC, and my girls don't spend any time in the coop/run except for roosting at night and laying. My coop has three inch openings all around the top, covered in hardware cloth. When I do my next coop (next month), I'm going to make two walls framed hardware cloth. Heat and humidity are much more an issue for me than cold, though it does usually freeze a few days a year. So far, no troubles.

Also, I got several rolls of HW cloth at tractor supply when they had a 'neighbors club' discount. Five rolls of 25' four foot cloth cost $75. They do it a couple of times a year. Good for you for taking the time to design and accumulate what you need!

I would say heat and humidity is a way bigger problem here than col because on average I would say the humidity percentage is usually over 55% which is hard for chickens

 

[Birdsong 82]

I would say heat and humidity is a way bigger problem here than col because on average I would say the humidity percentage is usually over 55% which is hard for chickens

Yep we have pretty high humidity in the summer time too. But there’s lots of just little things you can do to make your chicken is more comfortable in the heat and this is a great site for it

 

[deepbluesea]

Yep we have pretty high humidity in the summer time too. But there’s lots of just little things you can do to make your chicken is more comfortable in the heat and this is a great site for it

We regularly have 80% plus! As long as they have lots of water, shade and dirt to wallow in, they will likely be ok. Like Rachel said, lots of us do other things as well--ice in waterers, a kiddie pool for soaking feet, cold fruit and veg.

 

[Susan12]

I like the nest boxes that access from the outside.

 

[nessa.morg]

I like the nest boxes that access from the outside.

Yeah I would want to have access to the nesting boxes from the outside I think

 

[aart]

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.

Thought this was a steep price, did it include shipping......amazon is where I got mine a couple years ago, but looks like the price went up about $50.

 

[JDN]

Thought this was a steep price, did it include shipping......amazon is where I got mine a couple years ago, but looks like the price went up about $50.

If you look at her run...Its secured with Hardware cloth, so the need to incorporate it into the coop (which I'd assume stays in the run is minimal.

 

[aart]

If you look at her run...Its secured with Hardware cloth, so the need to incorporate it into the coop (which I'd assume stays in the run is minimal.

I don't know if she needs more HC or not, was just commenting on the prices.