I need some advice before I buy a coop.

[pinkjellybeans]

Hello! I'm in the process of planning everything to build a coop and a run for some chickens. I want to sort all the details out before I finalize each decision and before I buy or build anything. Here's some info:

• Plan to get 10 chickens of different breeds
• The space for the coop + run (in meters) is roughly 10m x 4m.

I'm not a handy person, so I'll have to buy a coop and the best (and cheapest, money is tight) that I've seen is this one:

On the description it says that it can fit 6 to 12 chickens, but I'd still like some opinions.
It has two egg nests and I plan to put a wooden pole across (in the middle of the coop) so the chickens will have more space to sleep on. My plan is for them to spend all day on the run so the coop would be their egg/sleeping place mostly. But I might not be able to open the door when they wake up, so they'll have to spend a few hours inside. My concern is mostly that. Do you think it's ok for them to spend a couple of hours inside even if it's a bit cramped? The run is not huge, so I think it's better to have a small coop and a larger run, right?

Thanks in advance!

 

[humblehillsfarm]

For the coop itself, excluding the run, it is only 3' wide, and since the measurements for length are only for the run, I can only assume it's also approximately 3' long. For the coop, you need about 3-4 square feet of coop space per chicken. So you have about 9 square feet of space. That's enough for 3 standard sized chickens. You need I believe about 10" of roost space per standard sized bird. You need about 10 square feet of run space per bird. The run is big enough for two standard sized chickens.

Prefab coops are notorious for drastically over estimating their capacity. Generally speaking if youre willing to learn something new, building is the best way to achieve what you want from a coop unless you are willing to spend big money on an appropriate sized coop.

 

[GalvestonWader]

That is not near enough room for 10 chickens.

I just went through this same thing. None of the store bought pre made coops are big enough for 10 chickens. They may say they are on the box, but they are not.

 

[Lucy Brown]

Hello! I'm in the process of planning everything to build a coop and a run for some chickens. I want to sort all the details out before I finalize each decision and before I buy or build anything. Here's some info:

• Plan to get 10 chickens of different breeds
• The space for the coop + run (in meters) is roughly 10m x 4m.

I'm not a handy person, so I'll have to buy a coop and the best (and cheapest, money is tight) that I've seen is this one:

View attachment 2679391

On the description it says that it can fit 6 to 12 chickens, but I'd still like some opinions.
It has two egg nests and I plan to put a wooden pole across (in the middle of the coop) so the chickens will have more space to sleep on. My plan is for them to spend all day on the run so the coop would be their egg/sleeping place mostly. But I might not be able to open the door when they wake up, so they'll have to spend a few hours inside. My concern is mostly that. Do you think it's ok for them to spend a couple of hours inside even if it's a bit cramped? The run is not huge, so I think it's better to have a small coop and a larger run, right?

Thanks in advance!

I advise you to visit omitree.com from my experience, it was an affordable price for a good reasonable coop. Hope this helps. And good luck!

 

[pinkjellybeans]

You need about 10 square feet of run space per bird. The run is big enough for two standard sized chickens.

Damn, with those numbers I might not get any chickens at all then... I thought the space I have could at least be enough for 5 happy chickens. Now I'm sad. But thanks for the info.

 

[ReelFaster]

Just looking at it and looking at the measurements I'd say that coop design is for about 3-4 chickens. IMO that is not enough space for 10 chickens, they would be way to crowded in both run and coop area's.

 

[Lucy Brown]

Just looking at it and looking at the measurements I'd say that coop design is for about 3-4 chickens. IMO that is not enough space for 10 chickens, they would be way to crowded in both run and coop area's.

I say as 2-3 chickens honestly

 

[Lucy Brown]

I have four of my hens living in a 10' long 5' wide coop. I might move two more in there depending on the spacing

 

[U_Stormcrow]

That coop isn't remotely large enough for the flock size you propose. I wouldn't use it - but if I had to? Two chickens.

Two square meters of house space is good for about 5 chickens. One Square Meter of run space is good for one chicken. You need both - house and run space (though a raised coop allows some of that space to do "double duty", house above, run below.

The space you've suggested as your total available area, 3m x 10m is plenty adequate for the number of bird proposed, "roomy" even, by most standards.

I don't know much about your climate, though I believe it to be mild, and your available resources - but if budget is tight, I'd look to a "hoop coop" if cattle panels are available to you (photo for inspiration - roofing and paneling materials can be most anything):

and if not, I'd look to framing it out with a dog run measuring 2m x 6m (or larger), roofing part of it, and placing a raised, sheltered spot for the birds to roost overnight within, then reinforce the chain link walls with hardware cloth for additional predator protection.

Start with something like this, then build a shelter inside and wall two sides almost up to the roof line. Or three sides, partially. Tarps work temporarily, but are not a long term solution.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

Damn, with those numbers I might not get any chickens at all then... I thought the space I have could at least be enough for 5 happy chickens. Now I'm sad. But thanks for the info.

Don't give up. We built our coop with nothing but a drill and a circular saw.

With that said, I bought my first coop used. It was a $1500 Amish Built coop that we bought used for $500. It was large enough for 15 birds. So research building your own, I promise anyone can do it. There are so many easy options out there, and in the mean time be on the look out for a used coop!