Need help for constructing a coop

[dcfrey2425]

Hi everyone! My husband and I got 9 chicks for the kids. We need help with planning a design to house all of them. Does anyone have plans or ideas they can share? Thanks - Denise

 

[Imp]

Hi there &

Check out the coop section of BYC. You have lots of choices in coop construction.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=9

Good luck & have fun

Imp

 

[ranchhand]

And yes, there is a link top center to coop design.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

I just start building with a general idea of what I want and then conquer the problems as I go. I am in the middle of building a duck coop and a few of my ideas are not panning out so it is taking a bit of thought. But I don't mind so much. I spent a half hour this morning at about 7 am out there putting boards this way and that trying to visualize the way the top would have to go. I am horrid at angles and this has a sloped roof that I will be able to lift.

Look over all the designs on here and figure out what will work for your land and climate. READ as many threads as possible about what everyone would change about theirs to give you even more ideas. You have about 2 months. Start reading!

I spent months trying to get ideas and being an older woman I wasn't sure if I could do it. Check out my website. I built numerous ones in the past few years and my DH jumped in with his designs and built a few, too.

Have fun!

 

[dcfrey2425]

Thanks. Is there are certain size/type that I should be looking at? This is all new to us and we are just sort of stumped over how to do this.

 

[Intheswamp]

For nine standard (large fowl) chickens the going recommendation for inside the coop (house) is roughly a minimum of 4 square feet per bird. For the "run" (fenced in outside area) the recommendation is usually at least 10 square feet per standard chicken. Thus, the minimum recommended square footage inside the coop would come out around 36 square feet and the minimum area inside the run would come to around 90 square feet.

Anything that takes up floor space (feeders, waterers, roosts, etc.,) also reduces usable floor/run space.

A 4'x8' coop is a standard size and would probably hold your birds ok. It could be built raised or as a walk in. If you think you might get a few more chickens later then double it to an 8'x8' (or larger) walk-in.

A lot depends on...your area/climate, whether you are urban or rural (any restraints?), the types of chickens, your budget, etc.,.

Hope this helps,
Ed

 

[luckyramu]

Well, since you have the chicks, I guess you better get building. Be prepared, whatever you think you are going to spend on a coop, you are probably going to triple in price before its finished. I think its a chicken math thing.

I found this design in the coop section, and decided it was modest and functional.

Here are some framing pics:

and, the run:

However, you may have entirely different ideas. I searched the coop section for days before deciding what was right. The girls are happy, and I'm considering making another coop. Math-wise, max is 8 in this coop, but I think I'm gonna squeeze in ten. I hope this helps. If you have any questions, feel free to message me. Enjoy the build.

:

 

[dcfrey2425]

In response to Intheswamp, right now we have a limited budget, but are able to get the material we need. We live in Connecticut, so we need to make sure that we can provide them a good shelter. We have plenty of space for them to run. We have approximately 30 acres. We were planning to let them run free most the time, but also want to give them a safe pen. Thank you for the size we should go with. That is what I was thinking, but wasn't sure. Plus, my hubby isn't much of a carpenter, so I think he is nervous over building this.

 

[Intheswamp]

Quote:
Check out any surplus/recycle places for materials. Craigslist and freecycle are a couple of online sources. Look for buildings being torn town or remodeled and inquire about the scrap wood. Scrap wood piled by the road can be good sources. Scrap tin is good to have for roofing, etc.,. Old pallets are good (though takes some effort to use). Alleyways and byways are good places to look for scrap. If you have any freight yards, shipping docks, etc., close by they can be a source of large wooden crates....places that use heavy industrial supplies can also be sources of wooden crates. Basically scarf up whatever you find. See a 2x4 laying beside the road...grab it!

Run fencing will probably be the hardest to come up with...2"x4" welded wire would be a good choice...stay away from chicken/poultry wire as it offers little protection for your chickens. To secure your coop used 1/2" or smaller hardware cloth to cover windows, vents, etc.,.

Here is a link to a list of coop plans that I posted. Most of these are walk-in type coops, but the first one is a lean-in type coop (though I'm not real crazy about it it gives an idea of the "footprint of the coop"). What I wanted to point out is that if you scroll to the bottom of the list of plans there are a couple of links to some "how to build" webpages that will help with basic construction techniques... A few walk-in coop plans/ideas if you can use'em... ...hope it helps!

Ventilation is good, drafts are not so ventilation should go up high...above the chickens roosting level. A window or two would be good for opening in the summer and closing in the winter (but still with some permanent ventilation up high).

Best wishes,
Ed

 

[rebecky1305]

The chickens won't mind if your husband isn't a carpenter.

All they care about is a warm, dry, safe place to be with no leaks or drafts, and plenty of ventilation. Doesn't have to be perfect