Need a new Coop.

[Kerjack]

I have to move my chickens, so I need to make another coop. This one I want to be able to move if I have to. Also since I'm in Canada I need to make sure it would be good enough for the winter. I will have 6 chickens left to move over. 2 isa brown x Buff orpington pullets, 2 barred rock pullets, and a pair of Japanese bantams.

These were the 2 coops I was thinking about making;
(I'm using the pictures for a reference)
http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Coops/The-Alexandria-Extended-8-chickens-p813.aspx
http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/Chicken-Coops/The-Egg-Man-6-8-chickens-p626.aspx

The chickens will be free ranged and I'll lock up the doors at night, will they even go out in the snow?. I will be able to run a heat lamp into the coop, will this be enough in the dead of winter? What should I use for bedding/litter? I have hay, straw and mulched leaves I can get. Would it be best to do a deep litter?

Which Coop should I build? Or is there a better plan out there?

 

[chicks4kids]

Personally, I like the looks of the second one, but it's also twice as expensive as the first one. Are you going to buy one or just build one based on how they appear?

For the wintertime, I prefer the deep litter method. And most likely your chickens will stay in and not want to set foot on the snow. If you build one of those coops, you could easily enclose the bottom and that will give them extra space to move around in when it's too nasty for them outside. My first coop was like that and I had a drop down pop door for them to be able to go right underneath. Then at night I would just pull the string and up the door would go...locked up and safe for the night.

If you're looking for ideas for coops check out this section...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html

There's so many different ideas there, I'm sure that you'll find something you'll love!

 

[Cargo]

The coops are essentially the same with a different roof.

Think box with roof and nest boxes. 4x8 or larger should do.
Then, decide which roof you want to build. (each has pros and cons)
Easy as pie.