Need some advice

[Tricia6227]

Hello! Im new at raising chicks. I have (6) coming in Oct. Im building a coop from scratch. I live in Northern Illinois. Can someone give me some advice as to how to place the coop and run? North, south, east, west? My brother gave me some scrap redwood to build it with.(love my brother) I know a south window is important for heat in the winter. I plan on insulating the roof, bottom and walls with foam board (I think R10 is best) and have ventilation (holes covered with hardware cloth) at the very top of the walls that are covered by the roof overhang. Id like to incorporate a roost stand inside in the corner or along the whole back (havent got that figured for sure yet) with a vinyl covered drop board. The coop will be 4' × 4' × 6' high with a brooder box built on the back. Ive read that 12"×12" is best with one for each (2)chickens. So I hope I can fit 3 of them on the back. I plan on using construction sand in bottom of coop and floor of run and large wood chips in the brooder box. The feed and water will be in the run part. Dont want any moisture in the coop. It will be completely surrounded by a 6'×12' dog run. In the winter, I plan on surrounding the whole dog run in heavy plastic. With a year round heavy tarp on top for shade and weather protection. I have access to electricity for a heat lamp if needed and for an electric water warmer in the winter. Ive learned the most important things is no draft, no moisture with plenty of ventilation. It gets real cold here in the winter and real hot in the summer. My babies will be inside my home for the first 8 weeks. Reason is because Im getting 2 shipments. (3)babies are coming Oct 1st and (3) are coming Oct 21st. I am open to any and all suggestions and advice.
Thank you very much!

 

[staceyj]

One tiny comment.
You’ll have to rethink the foam board insulation (unless it will be sandwiched between layers of wood) or you’ll be having a
“SNOW GLOBE INCIDENT” to be embarrassed about for years to come-like I did!

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
Think you need to do some more thinking and planning before building.

Go bigger if at all possible, 4x4 will be tight for 6 birds in winter...and a poop board won't fit. Sketch your plans out on graph paper for proper scale.

Good read on Space:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

Insulation is not needed, and can harbor rodents and other pests.
Heat lamps are not needed either.

Large(12") roof overhangs with open soffits for weather proof ventilation all year round but especially in winter. Lots of top hinged windows for summer ventilation and winter light. Good discussion on .....
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

Tips on the height of stuff:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

What do you mean by 'brooder box'? Nests for laying eggs?
1 nest per 3-5 birds is adequate.

 

[Tricia6227]

Welcome to BYC!
Think you need to do some more thinking and planning before building.

Go bigger if at all possible, 4x4 will be tight for 6 birds in winter...and a poop board won't fit. Sketch your plans out on graph paper for proper scale.

Good read on Space:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

Insulation is not needed, and can harbor rodents and other pests.
Heat lamps are not needed either.

Large(12") roof overhangs with open soffits for weather proof ventilation all year round but especially in winter. Lots of top hinged windows for summer ventilation and winter light. Good discussion on .....
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

Tips on the height of stuff:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

What do you mean by 'brooder box'? Nests for laying eggs?
1 nest per 3-5 birds is adequate.

Ok thank you!

 

[Tricia6227]

One tiny comment.
You’ll have to rethink the foam board insulation (unless it will be sandwiched between layers of wood) or you’ll be having a
“SNOW GLOBE INCIDENT” to be embarrassed about for years to come-like I did!

One tiny comment.
You’ll have to rethink the foam board insulation (unless it will be sandwiched between layers of wood) or you’ll be having a
“SNOW GLOBE INCIDENT” to be embarrassed about for years to come-like I did!

Yes It will be between plywood (inside) and redwood (outside)
Thank you for advice! ❤❤

 

[Tricia6227]

Welcome to BYC!
Think you need to do some more thinking and planning before building.

Go bigger if at all possible, 4x4 will be tight for 6 birds in winter...and a poop board won't fit. Sketch your plans out on graph paper for proper scale.

Good read on Space:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

Insulation is not needed, and can harbor rodents and other pests.
Heat lamps are not needed either.

Large(12") roof overhangs with open soffits for weather proof ventilation all year round but especially in winter. Lots of top hinged windows for summer ventilation and winter light. Good discussion on .....
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

Tips on the height of stuff:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

What do you mean by 'brooder box'? Nests for laying eggs?
1 nest per 3-5 birds is adequate.

Yes brooder box. Thank you for much needed input. Very grateful

 

[Tricia6227]

Welcome to BYC!
Think you need to do some more thinking and planning before building.

Go bigger if at all possible, 4x4 will be tight for 6 birds in winter...and a poop board won't fit. Sketch your plans out on graph paper for proper scale.

Good read on Space:
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

Insulation is not needed, and can harbor rodents and other pests.
Heat lamps are not needed either.

Large(12") roof overhangs with open soffits for weather proof ventilation all year round but especially in winter. Lots of top hinged windows for summer ventilation and winter light. Good discussion on .....
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1048597/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts

Tips on the height of stuff:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427/

What do you mean by 'brooder box'? Nests for laying eggs?
1 nest per 3-5 birds is adequate.

Yes brooder box. Thank you for much needed input. Very grateful

 

[Tricia6227]

Ok thank you!

Oh also, brooder box not included in the 4' × 4'. Im putting that on the back. And it will be 6' tall. Do you still think I should make it wider? Like 5' or 6'?
Thanks

 

[aart]

What's the brooder box for, raising chicks?
Honestly? I'd double it to 8x8.

 

[Killer Tomato]

As others have said, larger is better, if only for Chicken Math!

I have sand (washed construction grade) in my coop, over the concrete floor and I do love it. We're in Oregon, and it stays very clean (I scoop poops every morning) and dries fast when rain blows in.

Kudos to you for planning and building your coop *long* before your chicks have arrived!