Moving….

[1 acre willows]

Trying to remember, have about 65 birds, heading NW, have seen it make -38 before and water deep snow to me and I’m 6’4”. Forget how many sq ft you need in side and out. Gonna have to deal with name a predator all the way down to weasels and martins. Trying to get designs so I can get it built and move them up there

 

[McChooky]

15 SQ ft per bird minimum in winter. I use 1/2" hardware to make an apron around the bottom to keep snakes, rats and weasels out. (secured with screws and washers and strips of wood)Attached to the ground with long landscape staples .Pea gravel helps prevents anything tunneling under it

 

[McChooky]

Trying to remember, have about 65 birds, heading NW, have seen it make -38 before and water deep snow to me and I’m 6’4”. Forget how many sq ft you need in side and out. Gonna have to deal with name a predator all the way down to weasels and martins. Trying to get designs so I can get it built and move them up there

Birds have to be tested to cross state lines

 

[1 acre willows]

Staying in state, no test required

 

[McChooky]

Staying in state, no test required

Are you needing help finding plans or are you just wanting ideas for a coop for 65 chickens? You'll want a covered run too

 

[McChooky]

 

[Fluffy_Butt_Hutt]

Trying to remember, have about 65 birds, heading NW, have seen it make -38 before and water deep snow to me and I’m 6’4”. Forget how many sq ft you need in side and out. Gonna have to deal with name a predator all the way down to weasels and martins. Trying to get designs so I can get it built and move them up there

Insulation, insulation! If you're building a coop add insulation in between two sheets of plywood or other wall material. Do not leave insulation exposed to chickens, they will eat it! If you can't do insulation a large tarp over the entirety of the run and coop with many key ventilation holes is great! Otherwise, try to make an overarching shelter around the coop itself. Coop needs 4 sq ft per chicken and 10 sq ft of run per chicken minimum. Try to give tiered roost space that isn't too high from the ground, as to avoid bumblefoot. Roost space should be around 1.5 sq fr per chicken to make sure none sleep in boxes or the floor. Some advocate for flat and wide roosts to prevent foot cramping and issues later on.

Predators: Previous advice is great, make sure nothing can dig. covering entire run spaces with hardwire cloth is a must. Avoid leaving fruit in the coop, only let them have it when you can respond quickly (multiple animals that wouldn't normally attack your coop might go after the fruit and then the chickens). Secure any opening door with multiple latches/locks, racoons are crafty. Light at night outside of the coop but not visible through coop windows deter night predators without stressing out chickens.

 

[Ted Brown]

...have about 65 birds, heading NW, have seen it make -38... how many sq ft you need in side and out,,, deal with... predators... Trying to get designs so I can get it built and move them up there

Square footage number above (4 in, 10 out) are the normal recommendations. Use of aprons, a roof, fully enclosed w/HC will give predator protection (Note HC that is buried will deteriorate in 5-6 years, I am currently replacing 1/2 x 1/2 19 gauge with 1/2 x 1 16 gauge for aprons).

As to coop design I recommend the Woods style fresh air coop; I have his 10' x 16' Knock Down version, accommodates 40 chickens. This design can be replicated side by side, so two have space for 80. I have also seen a build that adds a "back half" third space for feed, tools, etc. Brilliant design that is proven to work for more than a century; can be economical to build using the original "outer frame" rather than modern "stick framing" techniques.

A last note. Avoid insulation, complete waste of time and money.