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[jgconnor]

Hi, folks!
I just joined the forum. I have an introductory post in new members section.

Can anybody tell me where I can get free plans for a coop that will hold about a dozen or so birds?

Thanks so much!

 

[turney31]

Hello from Texas!

And welcome. Have you checked out the coops on the home page? Lots there. Hope you find what you are looking for.

Micah

 

[MicMoo]

Try these coop plans.

 

[billfields]

Quote:
Welcome!

It's not free but I would suggest the book Building Chicken Coops for Dummies. (you can get it on Amazon for about 12 bucks now) I'm in the middle of building mine and I've found it really useful---although I'm going with plans I came up with myself, I got lots of great ideas from it. There are several plans from a small A-frame to a walk-in coop. My only word of caution is I think they allow too little space per chicken thus overestimating how many chickens each of their coops will hold.

I would also suggest you take some time to go through posts on the coop section here. LOTS of great coops with photos. You can't help but get ideas!

Bill

 

[jgconnor]

Quote:
Thanks, Bill! That brings a question: Is there a rule of thumb for X number square feet per bird?

 

[jafo]

4 sq feet for large breeds, 2 for bantams

 

[Trunkster]

Welcome from Perth Ontario Canada. We got "Rasing Chickens for Dummies" from the library and it was full of answers you're looking for.

 

[Kittymomma]

Rule of thum is 4 sq' inside the coop and 10 sq' of run for each large fowl and 1/2 that for bantams. If they'll be spending a lot of time "cooped up" it's best to go bigger and if they are going to freerange and/or have a larger run that can be used year round (good climate or protected covered run) you can get away with a slightly smaller coop. Bigger is better though, especially since chicken keeping is addictive and you'll likely decide you "need" more before long.

 

[oldchickenlady]

Hi Jim! I'm from middle Tn...welcome to the most addicting chicken site on the web! 4 square feet per bird inside the coop and 10 square feet per bird in the run is the standard, anything less and they will start pecking each other and that isn't pretty! I have a run, but mine free range all day and just go back to the run for water. Check out the coop pages for sure...there are some fabulous coops there to get ideas from...ranging from small to large, simple to elaborate, free to expensive! Also, don't use chicken wire! 1x2 welded wire or hardware cloth will keep predators out. Ventilation is very important in your coop, but not down low where drafts will blow on your chickens. Good luck and read, read, read everything you can on here about coops/runs/predators etc. etc.

 

[crawfordmama]

I found a ton of ideas in the Coop Designs section of the forum. We have some very creative people who managed to construct great coops for very little cost. As Kittymomma mentioned, be sure to give your feathered family room to grow. I wish I had, because now I need an addition!