Need Ideas-Coop Design

[TinyHandsHomestead105]

Okay guys, earlier in the year we made some chicken tractors, they have worked up until this point but im wanting to expand the flock and they no longer meet our needs.....My mom will be using our chicken tractors since she's in a better place to free range and has fewer chickens...I'm needing ideas for a 25-30 chicken coop...just the main part with nest boxes and roost(run will come after)what are some things you wish you had added/things that you did add that you can't live without? Trying to cover all my bases. My old coops way back when where very simple, but now after having 3 kiddos my back is wrecked, knees are wrecked from riding horses over the years, and I want avoid anything that will flair up my hip and knee injuries while cleaning out LOL Needing easy access for cleaning/collecting eggs/catching chickens when necessary. Also willing to buy plans if you have recommendations on where to get some! TIA

 

[cavemanrich]

Consider building a Woods Coop. One of the best options to house chickens.
All you need to know is on this BYC, site here.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/alaskan-woods-coop.75752/

WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and

 

[Loving my girls]

These are a bit out of date I’ve upgraded the breezeblocks to a bench and now have a treadle feeder outside.
I love my coop it’s made from left overs from our house build plus the rodent wire for the windows - we don’t have rodent wire on the windows for the house

 

[StinkyAcres]

Since you're in Alabama, I suggest looking into open air coops. Maybe something like this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/

 

[Sally PB]

Build it with YOU in mind. In other words, make it easy for you to do all the chicken chores, given your physical issues. For example, make the nest boxes high enough that you don't have to bend over too far to get the eggs. You can make a ladder up to the nests for the chickens. Exterior access to the nests makes checking for eggs easier too.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Poop Trays!! They save my back. And way more room than minimum requirement. If 1 chicken needs 4sq. ft. in the coop, then I have a bit more than double. It just makes life easier for all, them and me!

 

[TinyHandsHomestead105]

Since you're in Alabama, I suggest looking into open air coops. Maybe something like this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/

That's a great idea! It's so hot here in peak summer

 

[StinkyAcres]

That's a great idea! It's so hot here in peak summer

Yes, and since it's basically like one big run I imagine it requires little cleanup as the manure will break down into the ground. All you would need to do is replenish the litter every so often.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Woods coops are nice but meant more for colder conditions - in your hotter, humid climate I'd second the recommendation for an open air coop to really maximize ventilation.

Otherwise built everything to suit your mobility needs - like I have a bad back so I want all my cleaning done standing up (my one concession is my nest boxes are floor level, but even I can handle crouching down twice a day). So I have a lot of head room in both coop and run.

 

[Sally PB]

Poop Trays!! They save my back

Poop trays are a game changer in coop cleanliness. Chickens poop a lot at night, and it's all contained in one spot. I use sweet PDZ in the tray to mitigate the ammonia, and it works well.