Hubby and I dissagree on coop size...

[chickiebaby]

I'd say go with the small coop and save the work. You can still build hte biger coop after you've had chickens for a bit and then you'll know more about what you want anyway.

I personally shudder to think what I might have built when just starting out. I knew nothing. Now a few years later I know nothing plus a teeny tiny bit. I'm glad that my first coop was a recycled saint bernard house. It was about five by six and perfect that first year.

 

[herechickchick]

I know others have said it but you will be sorry if you go smaller. If your husband wants a 10x10 go 15x15 or larger because as soon as you don't you will be thinking of building again to make more room. Chickens are addicting.

 

[patandchickens]

It depends I think on whether you are likely to want/use a second shed if you end up "having" to build another bigger one in the future.

If you did want to size up in the future (and it seems like the great majority of people end up with significantly more chickens than they were SURE at first would be their limit!), would you go "oh good, now we can use the 6x6 for any of these other valuable purposes!", or would you be more like "darnit, now we have to find someone to haul that thing away because it is taking up room and what are we going to do with it".

In general though I'd suggest going as big as you can afford. It will save you money in the long run (building a second coop is a lot more expensive and aggravating than just makint the first one twice the size!) and about 99% of all people WILL find use for that extra space. If not chickens, then storage for feed and bedding, yard/garden stuff, potting shed, overflow storage for garage stuff, etc etc etc.

Have fun,

Pat

 

[MandyH]

IF the 6x6 is cheap, you can always start there and build onto it. BUT it has been my experience that if you get chickens, you will want more, you will eventually add turkeys, ducks etc..., you will always want something bigger even if they have a mansion!!!! I have a coop that is 30X60 then I have a coop that is 10x30 and I am in the process of gathering up materials to build another!!!

 

[The Chicken Lady]

I agree with going for the bigger coop. Chickens are addicting, and you will end up with more than what you think you're going to have. Somehow, it happens.

Have you checked out the coop designs pages here? You can look at the details that different BYCers have added to their coops and see what you might want to incorporate into your own. In my future coop plans, for example, I'm going to borrow a member's idea to have a storage area right inside the coop (two rooms). I wouldn't have thought of how to do that successfully without the coop designs shared here.

 

[Poohbear]

I think you will find that "Bigger Is Better" everytime.

 

[Sissy]

I agree with
moms folly
your flock will grow as we all have
We now have 3 roos and more ladies and
hatchiing eggs on the way..LOL

 

[PortageGirl]

I agree that you WILL want more space later, but by getting this one now, you will save time and effort, and as was mentioned, you will have this one for isolating new birds, or for raising some half grown ones till they're ready to go out with the big girls... or, to isolate one that's being picked on or any number of reasons!

After you have this one set up, you can plan out 'his' Dream Coop! If this one is a really good deal, I don't think you'll regret it! If it's only a so-so deal or not very good, then maybe it would be better to go big now. heh,,, hope that doesn't make it more confusing.

 

[chookchick]

Your husband wants to build a bigger coop and you're fighting it! OMG Go with the big one! He may say--but you already have a coop, when you (inevitably), want to move up.
I'm in the opposite situation--I built a too small coop, and my husband doesn't want me to move up--he's afraid to think about all the chickens I might try and put in it. So I'm afraid I'm going to have to force the issue by getting more chickens....

 

[jvls1942]

there is more to chickens than 4 sq ft per bird.. you have feed storage, and extra equipment to store.. you might not have it now, but you will,,,,you will......

in the winter you will be feeding and watering them inside.. and you will need a nest or two and roosts.