I need a Coop for 20 Hens

[Bleenie]

I need to build a new coop for my 20 hens(plus 1 roo). They all free range everyday, as much as possible and go back to the coop at night or if there's rain.

I will have SOME help building it, but not a whole lot so I am hoping to find a good plan or idea that won't be too hard for me to work on myself most the time. Simple & functional is best, it'll just be for laying, eating & sleeping. I already know what kind of nest boxes I am going to use, they have been taking over the duck boxes so they'll get some just like theirs.

Thanks everyone.

 

[Mahonri]

If I were doing it over again, I would used old pallets that companies try to get rid of.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I LOVE my shed coop.

So easy to maintain.

 

[GiddyMoon]

I would read the book Open Air Poultry..it is 100 years old and you can find the free ebook thru google. We are in Tucson..I needed simple, well ventilated, cost effective and easy. The open air poultry house is basically a 3 sided coop with a full front or partial front just hardware cloth. We have decided to do the back half of the coop solid, and the front sides of the coop wire as well. This way more birds can be in a smaller enclosure and they have space to get out of the rain / wind if they choose, but they will not be "cooped" We will also be raising our coop so there is the bottom level...here is a basic idea on craigslist..we are modifying this concept. Wire is much cheaper than wood.

http://tucson.craigslist.org/grd/2365134336.html


As another poster said...you can also find a used shed, and put a dog run on the front..lots of air, but safety as well, super easy.