How much storage? and for what?

[RedCanoe]

Hey folks,

We are still planning the layout of our coop. It will be 16x8 with windows on all four walls. We are not going to start with a very large (backyard) flock, but wanted to build to accommodate our whims from year to year (I seem to want a couple of every breed that I read about, so we may end up with quite a few at some point). We would like to start with about 15 layers.

We were thinking of keeping a section alloted for supply storage. do any of you have a storage spaced built in to your coop? if you were building our coop for us how big would you make it?

I was expecting to use it for extra feed, litter etc. but is there any else you use or wish you could use it for that you didn't plan for?

Thanks!

 

[Their Other Mother]

I always seem to have extra feeders, waterers floating around the house, garage, barn. Then when I want something for new chicks or have to seperate hens I can never find it and end up buying new. I would build a nice big shelf for stuff like that.

 

[dixygirl]

I like to keep it simple. I just have a metal trash can filled with feed and sprinkled with DE (diatomaceous earth) Maybe you could put another metal trash can for the DE itself.

 

[cajunlizz]

Quote:
well , let me start by saying , make it BIG NOW . we built our coop and run and 2 weeks later we were already enlarging the run area .

Our coop ( chicken house ) is 8x12 and will probably have to be enlarged SOON . We built our run area 12 x20 and already enlarged again another 12 x 10 extra ft. So , its 12 x30 NOW .


As for storage for feed , pine shavings , etc. we DO NOT have storage as of yet . BUT I recommend NOT making inside your coop , unless its an entra added room area . Hubby is considering building it behind the coop area .... BUT , I am betting he will enlarge the coop first .

The more room the better .

Our coop and run are all together . Chickens hav e access to go under the coop to get protection from rain . SO th have a full run . We put a 2 ft. trench dug around the whole perimeter of the coop and run and buried wire 1 ft. deep , so predators can not dig their way in . He covered the trench buried wire with dirt , IF that dont work , he will be pouring bags of concrete around perimeter . ( WISH he had done that already )

Our run is not totally completed . WE need to add 1 " wire on top of the whole area . Its been raining everyday , so for the meantime , he cut their flight feathers so they can not fly out . ITS 8 ft. tall ............. and word of advice , make your coop tall enough inside so you don't have to stoop when you enter .

He also made 2 sides with wings that open for extra ventilation ( wired ) and can be opened for clean out . DOOR on coop area , is locked , with a small extrance door for the exiting and entrance for chickens .... I put 2 gallon plastic containers for water on each end of run , and smaller water containers on cinderblocks for the smaller teens . I also put feeders under the coop area so feed dont get wet from the rain . COOP is built also on blocks so they have full access and its working great .

ALSO , we put on one wall the nesting boxes ( black deep milk crates filled 1/2 way with pine shavings and the roosting area is on opposite wall completely away from the nesting boxes , NO POOP in nesting boxes .... Nesting boxes are 18 inches off the floor .

Door on RUN area is also locked with padlock . I will be posting pictures once its all completed .

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Good idea to build storage space...we WISH we did now. I have three silver garbage cans with lids...holding food, cracked corn, DE, and a small one holding grit. Now I have to run back and forth from the house to the coop with these things...WISH they were right there!

 

[Chirpy]

I do have a 'people' side inside my coop that also serves as storage. I wish it was bigger!!!

I need more room to store the chicken feed, the chick feed, the goat feed (they share the run with the chickens), the goat mineral, the bedding, the crack cocaine (oops -sorry that's scratch to you and me

), the chick feeders and waterers that are only used once a year here, and some other misc. items.

Whatever size you think you will need ... double it!

 

[cajunlizz]

I mentioned to hubby , maybe pouring a small area ( even tho its bagged concrete ) for storage close to the coop area for supplies .

He said maybe under a tree would be a good area for that . we have plenty of trees and he picked the BEST area to build the coop and run . Majority of the day , the whole area is shaded ....


WORKS for me .

 

[LynneP]

Our coop is within our barn, and we created an interior porch for some storage. We loaded it with hooks to hang tools, and added a high shelf to hold filled waterers, a small feed can, a water dump bucket and other small items. I need to add a paper towel holder. We didn't want it crowded so we store feed in a sealed Rubbermaid drum on wheels in the barn. We have an extra one to hold a bag of DE. In the coop we built two platforms partly for the birds but also to serve as a work area when we're in there getting organized with 12 birds milling around!