Need help on coop ideas

[Ryoohkey]

I just sectioned off a 10x10 area in my backyard for my black australorps 12 chickens total I need an idea of how bit the coop needs to be inside that area it does not need to be a walkin coop I can make easy access to egg areas later but they won't be in their pen all day they will have evenings and weekends to run around my backyard this is just to hold them in while I'm at work

 

[Percheron chick]

10x10 for coop and run? Half of that need to be the coop. That doesn't leave much room for the run. Would need to elevate the coop to give them the additional run area.

 

[Ryoohkey]

Yes I plan on elevating it 2 1/2 to 3 feet off the ground

 

[iwiw60]

Black Australorps are large heavy breeds...I have BAs also. If I had 12 of them as you do (I have 4) I'd be building the coop the entire size of your whole area 10x10. My coop alone is 5x8 with a 9x15 run attached. That's an awful lot of big birds in such a confined area. You may be asking for problems down the road with bad chicken behavior, pecking, can get pretty bloody at times, especially since you say you will be leaving them for most of the day...JMHO...best of luck!

 

[6of6chicks]

Black Australorps are large heavy breeds...I have BAs also. If I had 12 of them as you do (I have 4) I'd be building the coop the entire size of your whole area 10x10. My coop alone is 5x8 with a 9x15 run attached. That's an awful lot of big birds in such a confined area. You may be asking for problems down the road with bad chicken behavior, pecking, can get pretty bloody at times, especially since you say you will be leaving them for most of the day...JMHO...best of luck!

X2.

If you go with the recommended 4 sq. ft./bird x 12 birds = an 8' x 6' coop. That's almost your entire allotted 10' x 10' area, leaving almost no room for a run. You can elevate the coop, but that's going to be an awfully hard area to keep clean, unless maybe you go with sand. Even so, that's still a lot of bending, stooping over, & scooping/raking. If it was me? No way I'd create that much work for myself.

I also have a heavy breed (buff orps). Mine are still growing and already I'm astonished at how big they are and how much poop they produce. These big girls need lots of breathing room. Mine are sweet and peaceful, but only because they have enough space to get away from each other when someone gets on their nerves. Think of it this way -imagine you are going to spend the rest of your life locked in the kitchen with your family. Wouldn't you be MUCH happier if you could escape to the living room every once in a while?

 

[iwiw60]

Quote: Amen, sister!!

I'm at the age now that I can get down...it's the gettin' back up that's near impossible!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Amen, sister!!

I'm at the age now that I can get down...it's the gettin' back up that's near impossible!

LOL - not quite your age, and I still have that issue -- I spend more time evaluating situations to identify the things I can use to help get me back up than in how to do whatever it is I am getting down there to do in the first place.

 

[tntchix]

Amen, sister!!

I'm at the age now that I can get down...it's the gettin' back up that's near impossible!

LOL - not quite your age, and I still have that issue -- I spend more time evaluating situations to identify the things I can use to help get me back up than in how to do whatever it is I am getting down there to do in the first place.

I use the wire on the run to pull myself back up.

Phew, that's better. These knees just don't have it anymore. LOL

 

[6of6chicks]

Amen, sister!!

I'm at the age now that I can get down...it's the gettin' back up that's near impossible!

Wait - you didn't think I put all those logs and perches in there for the chickens to use, did you?

 

[tntchix]

Wait - you didn't think I put all those logs and perches in there for the chickens to use, did you?

*lightbulb*