Looking for suggestions on coop/run.

[tbeard]

I am just looking for some general tips on my construction. This building(which will become the coop) is at the moment, 12x20 and has a tin roof over the back half. 1/4 of the floor is a wooden floor. Should

the wooden floor be removed? Also i have 8 chicks, when they are grown will this be enough room for them?

 

[Clemsonchickfan]

I would expect that to be plenty of coop space for 6 birds. A rule of thumb is 4 sq ft of coop for each chicken and 10 sq ft of run. At 12 x20, you've got 240 sq ft, - more than enough. I have 6 chickens if 16 sq ft, as does a friend who has had that size setup for years. But I have a large run, and that's were the chickens spend most of their waking time.

Your run looks like it's an older wire enclosure. I would make sure that the wire is in good shape and will hold up to predator attempts to breach it. Maybe look into something with a smaller hole, like a 1x1 or 1/2 in x 1/2 in welded wire.

Remember, every bird, flock, setup and person is different. What works for someone else may not work for you and what your animals like and want may be a total disaster for someone else. Just have fun and learn from it all!!!! Good luck!

 

[Clemsonchickfan]

I forgot - I would take out the wooden floor. If it's nearly ground height, I'm not sure what you gain from having it. It's hard to see, as in looking on a mobile device, but if it's boards vs plywood, it'll be a nightmare to keep clean. Poop likes to find cracks and crevices.

If you have plenty of room, maybe section that part off, keep the floor and use it for storage?

 

[tbeard]

Thanks, i will be removing the floor today. It was a way for my dog to stay off the ground when it was out there.

 

[tbeard]

Made some progress this weekend, put cover over front half, put up part of the new wall, made the nesting boxes and started the roost