Need information on coop

[Tomcoll67]

I am trying to obtain information on Coops. I have 10 chicks and we have a smallish, but adequate size coop for them to use during the summer, but am planning to build a larger coop and run in September. The total area of the run will be 20' x 15' x 6' and the coop will be inside of the run, with roosting available almost everywhere. I plan to use poop boards and sweet PDZ. I am trying to determine the coop size needed for 30 birds. We plan on obtaining 10 birds per year and rotating them to keep egg production at a constant level, except the down time. I was planning on making a 2 story coop with food and water on bottom floor. For the run I am to have 3'x3' panels that have the chicken cloth on the bottom and Chicken wire on the top panels. There also will be "storm windows" for winter to ensure not much snow gets in the run, so the girls can exercise in winter. The walls of the run will be anchored to concrete foundation and the yard will be all river sand with drainage.
Will River sand eliminate the need for chick grit? .
Am I missing anything?
Will a coop for 30 birds be warm enough for only 10, the first year?
This is my first attempt and I am not sure if it is feasible.

 

[Folly's place]

Planning is good, and chickens are fun! Consider; you should plan to cover the run with wire or something to keep hawks out. Can you make it 7 or 8 ft. tall, so it's possible to walk under the potential wire or netting? Coop size; can't ever be too big, as the published minimum sq. ft. per bird is pretty skimpy, if they will be locked in every night and you have lots of snow. Think at least 5 to 6 sq ft per bird. Make the coop tall enough that you can walk into it; think storage building, or best of all a Woods coop. Mary

 

[iwiw60]

I am trying to obtain information on Coops. I have 10 chicks and we have a smallish, but adequate size coop for them to use during the summer, but am planning to build a larger coop and run in September. The total area of the run will be 20' x 15' x 6' and the coop will be inside of the run, with roosting available almost everywhere. I plan to use poop boards and sweet PDZ. I am trying to determine the coop size needed for 30 birds. We plan on obtaining 10 birds per year and rotating them to keep egg production at a constant level, except the down time. I was planning on making a 2 story coop with food and water on bottom floor. For the run I am to have 3'x3' panels that have the chicken cloth on the bottom and Chicken wire on the top panels. There also will be "storm windows" for winter to ensure not much snow gets in the run, so the girls can exercise in winter. The walls of the run will be anchored to concrete foundation and the yard will be all river sand with drainage.
Will River sand eliminate the need for chick grit? .
Am I missing anything?
Will a coop for 30 birds be warm enough for only 10, the first year?
This is my first attempt and I am not sure if it is feasible.

Well, if you're planning on having 30 birds, the run size you are planning on would be adequate for the coop only! As for a 2-story coop, me personally? I wouldn't do that because of sanitation problems down the road...poop has a way of running "downhill" if you get my drift. Do you have any plans of sorts that you could post so we could get a better idea of your planned setup?