Large coops versus small coops

[Jakoda]

My experience (and my first chicks came last June..

I have 9 standard sized chicks, I used a portion of my Dutch Barn which is 12 x20..I used a 12 x 4.5 space..putting in a poop board, nesting boxes roost, didn't leave much floor room in my opinion...The run I have is 12 x 22...Then Storm Sandy struck, and demolished the barn leaving only the chicken area standing.
I was definitely distraught , but now feeling it's a good thing, since my husband will be rebuilding, and I will expand my indoor area to about 12 x8 or 9..

I know some thing, you don't need alot of space for chickens, and while it may be true, I have decided that bigger can be better especially if you want to add to your flock..I honestly can't imagine putting 25-30 chicks in a 12 x8 area..maybe not crowded for them, but would be crowded for me..

Something to check into to possibly save money, look for a 'shed' vs a chicken coop. You can customize to what you want..Granted we spent a bundle on just on modifying what I wanted , but I can re-use alot of stuff in my expanded area..The 'run' was probably the most expensive..An estimate of cost of what I spent on materials alone was probably 1500 maybe more..

Here are some pics

^^ Inside view of area 'pre chickens'

^^ finished (keep in mind I had this shed prior to chickens


^^after storm, notice only chicken area is left intact, altho the walls are pulled away from roof

^^ modified after storm, will rebuild entire thing in spring


^^ new roost/poop board/nesting boxes husband built for the new area..It's 8ft long will sit against a wall about 30" wide

So many things to take into consideration, I learned TONS from this website, and incorporated them into my original area and also used bits and pieces for my new area when we rebuild.

Diane

 

[debid]

lol.  True enough.  No, it's not really all that mild up here.  I live in Norther CA and it can get quite cold here.  The last few weeks have seen up around 10 degrees at night.  It can also get hot in the summer, hovering around 100 around the beginning of August.

I do plan to scrounge as much as I can, like windows and insulation, but the lumber is what's really going to cost.

Ha, I grew up in N. CA, it doesn't get cold there (and I'd know because I've also lived in MN). You need to worry about giving them a dry place to sleep without making it too closed in because heat kills poultry unable to shed their down coats. Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation!

 

[debid]

Oh, and one angle to consider is that lumber is cheapest in 8' board lengths and 4x8 sheets so there is little cost difference between 6x8 and 8x8. It could backfire, though and you get downgraded to 4x8 so be really nice about how you approach the checkbook keeper.