Horse Stall conversion almost finished

[hayley3]

We bought 5 acres that had an abandoned double horse barn/stall. I have been refurbishing it and converting it to a cop over the past month. The only thing I purchased was new roofing and three wall boards.

But it is just about finished...

Aiming for 24 hens and 2 roosters

12'x14' coop
28' of perches
5 nesting boxes (not pictured)
Attached to 1/4 acre of dedicated chicken pasture

View attachment 2424724

I used to house my chickens in an old barn so I notice holes where a raccoon could enter because they killed all my chickens a few times before I learned. And I see a big gaping hole above the right side, where a raccoon could just climb on over. Are you going to cover that somehow?

 

[Folly's place]

Good space, will be a bit tight for 26 birds though. Having more roost space will be good too, if possible. And hardware cloth over any opening larger than 1/2" diameter!
Is there a dig proof foundation? Consider adding another layer of wall boards, depending on your climate, and whether or not you have predator protection outside. Rats and raccoons will work to chew through those wall boards.
It's a good space though, good work so far.
Will you be getting all those birds at once, or starting with a smaller group, to be added to each year?
And having your approximate location on your profile helps a lot here.
Most of us underestimated the need for predator protection necessary when we started. We sure did! Build Ft. Knox, and have a better experience from that first year.
Mary

 

[aart]

We bought 5 acres that had an abandoned double horse barn/stall. I have been refurbishing it and converting it to a cop over the past month. The only thing I purchased was new roofing and three wall boards.

Nice!!
I remembered from before;
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/our-new-property.1405021/

Was also wondering about predator proofing.
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Curious....
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!

 

[tjcib]

I used to house my chickens in an old barn so I notice holes where a raccoon could enter because they killed all my chickens a few times before I learned. And I see a big gaping hole above the right side, where a raccoon could just climb on over. Are you going to cover that somehow?

Yes. We ran out of hardware cloth before I took the picture. But I have 100' roll fresh off the truck.

Thanks for keeping my girls safe!

 

[tjcib]

Good space, will be a bit tight for 26 birds though. Having more roost space will be good too, if possible. And hardware cloth over any opening larger than 1/2" diameter!
Is there a dig proof foundation? Consider adding another layer of wall boards, depending on your climate, and whether or not you have predator protection outside. Rats and raccoons will work to chew through those wall boards.
It's a good space though, good work so far.
Will you be getting all those birds at once, or starting with a smaller group, to be added to each year?
And having your approximate location on your profile helps a lot here.
Most of us underestimated the need for predator protection necessary when we started. We sure did! Build Ft. Knox, and have a better experience from that first year.
Mary

Nice!!
I remembered from before;
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/our-new-property.1405021/

Was also wondering about predator proofing.
Good examples of anti-dig apron installation.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/wire-around-coop.1110498/#post-17093528
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Curious....
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!
View attachment 2425292

My last coop was Ft Knox... The only flaw was remembering to close it... Whoops!



I plan on adding wrapping around each corner and doing foundation work. It's a work in progress because we are eventually going to do rabbits in the other side of the barn. As much as I love nature, not looking to set up a buffet...

I will get my profile updated.

I am in central Virginia, about 30 minutes south of Richmond.

 

[tjcib]

Good space, will be a bit tight for 26 birds though.

Curious how much space you think they need?

12x14 = 168sqft which is 6.5sqft per bird just in the coop. Everything seems to say 4-6sqft per bird.

Plus a covered run plus .22 acres of free range pasture.

I feel like space is ample, but would also like to hear your thoughts. I want my girls to be happy!!!

 

[Folly's place]

I agree about the coop space, as long as they have run space available too. I think my comment wasn't clear, it's more about the roost space, which definitely needs to be longer.
Sorry for misspeaking in the first place here.
Mary

 

[aart]

I think my comment wasn't clear, it's more about the roost space, which definitely needs to be longer.

Roost length looks good too.

Aiming for 24 hens and 2 roosters
12'x14' coop
28' of perches

 

[Folly's place]

I'd want more roost space, I think there's not enough room for social groups, and getting up and down from that amount of space per bird.
Mary

 

[aart]

I'd want more roost space, I think there's not enough room for social groups, and getting up and down from that amount of space per bird.
Mary

I'm sure it can be rearranged/amended if and when needed.