I’ve got a coop!

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mere-anarchy

mere-anarchy

In the Brooder
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hi BYC, after stalking this forum for a while, my hubs got a new to me coop for Christmas!

I am now researching all about chicks and chickens, trying to figure out what type / variety to get. I have a young daughter so friendly is important.

Thanks for having me!
 

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Very cute, but before you start placing chick orders, there are few things you need to take into consideration. First and foremost is ventilation. Chickens require quite a lot more ventilation in the coop that what most people are used to seeing in structures. Second is space. Chickens need room. Overcrowding can lead to serious behavioral issues, that once begun, can be very difficult to stop. You'll need a minimum of 4 sq ft of coop space per bird, and a minimum of 10 sq ft of run space per bird. The coop is the enclosed shelter, the run is the open air portion where they will spend most of their day.
 
junebuggena said:
Very cute, but before you start placing chick orders, there are few things you need to take into consideration. First and foremost is ventilation. Chickens require quite a lot more ventilation in the coop that what most people are used to seeing in structures. Second is space. Chickens need room. Overcrowding can lead to serious behavioral issues, that once begun, can be very difficult to stop. You'll need a minimum of 4 sq ft of coop space per bird, and a minimum of 10 sq ft of run space per bird. The coop is the enclosed shelter, the run is the open air portion where they will spend most of their day.
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I hear you 100 percent. I only plan on having 3 birds, so that they don’t get crowded, I will double check my math. This coop is also lacking in ventilation up high (the backside has a big sliding window) so I am going to drill some small holes (1.5 inches or so, 3 or 4 per side, under the eves) up top to get a little more air moving. Do those sound about right?
 
Head to your nearest hardware store and get the biggest louvred vent cover that you can reasonably fit to the backside of your coop. You've got very little overhang to keep out blowing rain, so louvred vent covers are what you need to exhaust bad air and keep out the wet. Windows are great for light, but they offer no protection from blowing rain so they must be closed during inclement weather, cutting off ventilation. Eave vents are good for bringing in fresh air, but aren't in the right position to allow bad air to escape.
 

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