My first coop build/renovation PLEASE critic where necessary New Jersey

[Sam and ELLA]

Hello,
I have some new chicks (5) that I will be raising for eggs and pets. I am new to chickens and not very confident in what they need as far as a coop goes But with the help of the internet and designed on the fly this is what I came up with.

These are the things I know I will need to add to the coop;

1. need a perch.
2. need to have nesting boxes.

Here are some of the Questions I have;

1. Do you need windows?
2. How many nesting boxes per hen?
3. How many perches (not the length)
4. Are there any cautions I should be aware of with a concrete floor?

 

[CountryFlock]

I personally don't have windows. I would say 1 nesting box per three hens (depends on the size). If you will get a nesting box that can hold two hens then I would say that is good for 5 hens. I do not have any perches. My chicken's don't use them. With a concrete floor watch out for bumblefoot. I like to use sand in my coop, it's much cleaner but if anything mixes with the sand such as pine shredding it can get nasty.

 

[Sam and ELLA]

I personally don't have windows. I would say 1 nesting box per three hens (depends on the size). If you will get a nesting box that can hold two hens then I would say that is good for 5 hens. I do not have any perches. My chicken's don't use them. With a concrete floor watch out for bumblefoot. I like to use sand in my coop, it's much cleaner but if anything mixes with the sand such as pine shredding it can get nasty.

Thanks for the suggestions!!!
I will keep them in mind when it's time to move the chicks to their forever home.

 

[kitkat5505]

1. You need ventilation, whether it be from windows, open eaves, holes, etc. I think in a space that size windows would be a good idea.

2. Nesting boxes generally 1 for 3 hens, so you'd be fine with 2.

3. Roosts. You could have 1 or 20, that's really up to you. You want 1 foot per chicken, though they might not even use that much lol. . I have two 4' roosts and all 10 of mine insist on squeezing onto the top one.

4. As long as you keep a good soft layer of bedding the concrete should be fine, the only problem could be injuries from jumping off roosts onto hard floor.

 

[Sam and ELLA]

1. You need ventilation, whether it be from windows, open eaves, holes, etc. I think in a space that size windows would be a good idea.

2. Nesting boxes generally 1 for 3 hens, so you'd be fine with 2.

3. Roosts. You could have 1 or 20, that's really up to you. You want 1 foot per chicken, though they might not even use that much lol. . I have two 4' roosts and all 10 of mine insist on squeezing onto the top one.

4. As long as you keep a good soft layer of bedding the concrete should be fine, the only problem could be injuries from jumping off roosts onto hard floor.

I plan on cutting in some removable Plexi glass windows this weekend. I will post photos.
Thanks for your suggestions!

 

[pennyJo1960]

I plan on cutting in some removable Plexi glass windows this weekend. I will post photos.
Thanks for your suggestions!

Great coop start there and more kudos to asking first let me say from Mossyrock Washington state.. most of all enjoy all you are able as they birds grow and change

 

[Sam and ELLA]

I will be adding shingles to the laying hutch build out and add a hinged door for easy egg collection. I will also be adding a window or 2, to the coop and 2 perches. I will take and post pics on Sunday.

 

[Sam and ELLA]

Added some siding and roof shingles to my nesting coop.
I also added some perches. What do you think?

 

[aart]

Nice big coop!

Glazed windows(top hinged are best, can be open all summer)for ventilation in summer and light in winter, and open eave ventilation all year round.
All coop openings(windows and vents) should be covered with 1/2" hardware cloth for predator protection.

Will you have a locking pop door for night time safety?
Chicken wire is not predator proof, only keeps chicken in place.

Anti-dig apron around coop and run for predator protection.
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1110498/wire-around-coop#post_17093528

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-project.1169916/page-2#post-18481208

Oh and think about snow load on run roof.....and access to coop and run if snow gets deep.

 

[Sam and ELLA]

Windows:
For the windows, I'm going to wait until I see some free ones on the curb from someone doing a home renovation. I'm cheap
Predators:
This site has really got me paranoid about predators.
Using the link from above as a reference. Thanks for that aart.
I bought 18ga. Chicken Cloth (4'x100') for $120 on eBay. I will be digging 2'x2' trench and burying the 18ga cloth. I will also enclose the rest of the coop this 18ga. cloth.
Snow load
I do have 2"x4" supports, I'm hoping this will do.

I will post photos of my progress.
Thanks for the suggestions!
Thanks for looking.