My Backyard Coop and Run~

[KKatknap]

With a total floor space of 15+ sq. ft. and the run and ranging you described, you could easily have 4 chickens comfortably. Also depends on the roosting situation...they like @8-12 inches of roost per chicken.

Nice job!! And

 

[clport]

Nice job!

It'll depend on the age of your birds whether or not you need to offer oyster shell and grit yet (babies who are not laying don't need oyster shell, but do need grit). You say you want girls who are laying already, so offer them a pellet or crumble feed that contains oyster shell in it and also offer free choice oyster shell and grit. I use Layena pellets by Purina (has oyster shell in it). I also have a feeder in which I mix oyster shell and grit that the girls eat as well. I get really nice, firm egg shells with this system, so I think it works great. You might also want to think about adding DE (do a search here on BYC for "diatomaceous earth") to the feed and also using it in the coop for mites. I sprinkle a little DE in the nest boxes under the hay I use for nesting material to control any creepy-crawlies that might lurk there.

Check out a feed store or two near by for a bulletin board of people selling or rehoming stuff. Almost any feed store has this and it's a good way to find mature birds.

Welcome! I have great friends who live in Oceanside!

 

[crosbygroup]

Nice job!

I think you should use 5 more pallets and double your coop space. You already have enough nest boxes and run space. If you add a 3x4x4 annex you could add 3 more birds.

 

[SDChef]

haha, you are probably right about adding on with extra pallets, but luckily my design lets me add on easily later on. I also like the idea of DE, never heard of it before, but if it will help prevent mites it sounds worth the $$, thanks!

I will also make sure to check the boards when I am getting my supplies, sounds like a good way to get some birds!

Thanks again everyone~

 

[greenpeeps]

Good luck with your chickens. Your coop looks wonderful.

Our coop is 4x4x4 with a covered run that is 4x8x6, this lets them get out into the open air and gives them more room to stretch their legs.

Did you see the auction section on the index page?? You could contact sellers there.

 

[dlfridie]

Love what you did with the place!
The coops made from recycled materials are my favorites.
I look forward to seeeing your hens hanging out in there.

Will you add windows?
What is on the roof?

 

[M To The Maxx]

 

[SDChef]

to answer your questions, I hot to add a window to it eventually. I have a pane of glass and some extra silicone for sealing, but lack the space on this particular coop to add it on. I however plan on adding to the coop in a few months after I find some more scrap wood and have a bit more time. The roof is planks as will, the cracks will be sealed by silicone on the top and gaps filled with more scrap wood!

 

[mmtillman]

 

[crosbygroup]

SDChef,

I don't know about San Diego, but in the San Fernando Valley I purchased my chicks at a hardware store. They also had some pullets. You might try calling around to feed and hardware stores to see if they have any chickens. There is a hatchery out in Lancaster, I called them looking for chicks and they gave me the number of the hardware store that sells chicks for them all year long. You might try something like that.

I noticed that part of the $30.00 you spent was on hinges. If you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore near you they sell used parts like hinges for about fifty cents a piece. They also have scrap lumber sometimes and all different types of windows. I found the Plexiglass for my coop there and a big 4x4 piece was only $10.00.

I purchased some items at the ReStore when we built our coop https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=292210

Good luck stocking your coop.