Need some coop advice please

[AleBrewer]

Another chicken noob here looking for some advice please.

My wife and I would like to get maybe 4-6 hens soon. I am going to build a coop and enclosed run, but could use some help. We have 2 acres, most wooded and hilly, so we will free range them when possible too. We live in NH, and our winters can be cold, got down to -15 this winter. I'd like to be able to move the coop so the birds can be down by the gardens in the spring, summer, and fall...and then move the coop/run up near the house for the winter so they'll have some protection from the wind, and I can run a cord for a heater if needed.

I'm guessing that an A frame tractor is probably not the best idea in the snow, so I'm thinking of a 4'x6' raised coop and make an enclosed run that will attach to it. I have the Coop building for dummies and really like the tractor they have with the hard gable roof on it. The one in the book is quite small, so I'd have to enlarge it to suit 4 or more birds, but it looks doable.

Any tips or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[AlienChick]

Hi, and Welcome!

You may also want to check out the small coop pages to get some ideas on what you want to design.

I also have that Dummies Coop book and am currently building my coop.

I also just put together a 5x5 playpen for my 3 week old chicks to play in the sun.

It's made out of PVC and chickenwire, so I can drag it all over the yard and sit and watch them play.

Here's the link to the small coop section:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/chicken-coop-small.html

 

[crj]

Ok, I just had a thought. Why not make something simple, say, 4 wide, 4 high and 8 long. It's what I made for my chickens. Put legs on it then add wheels. I don't have wheels but I do think it's a smart idea. You can get rubber tires at Walmart or if you have a Harbor Frieght near you. They wouldn't be very expensive. Then you can make a run in 2 places. It would be like pulling a big wagon. All you have to do is wheel it and hook up to the other run. Shoot, only have 1 run if you want and let the girls just free range and go in the coop when they want. It's a thought. Here is a picture of my coop. I made 3 of these. I use 2 for chickens and 1 for my ducks. It was the easiest and most inexpensive way to give my chickens shelter.

This is one without the roof on it. It was still a work in progress. I put 2 nestboxes that I built so I can remove them for cleaning. They sit on the floor and I have a roost on the other side. Actually, it's more like a bench style with slats. I can take it out of the coop if I want. There is a pop out door also. I can open both doors for easy cleaning. It's quick and simple till you figure out what exactly you want. Hope this helps. Also, you can make as high or low to the ground you want and add wheels to it.

 

[AleBrewer]

Thanks AlienChick....some really nice coops there! I have some serious reading and searching to do!

Thanks crj....thats a good idea too. Any pics of the inside?

 

[elmo]

Let me throw out another idea. What about building a stationary coop and run near your house where you'd want it to be in the winter, and then building a day tractor? It's much easier to design both that way. Usually there's a tension between building light for moveability and building secure for nighttime predators.

I have this setup, and it works beautifully. I herd my flock out of their stationary coop and run in the morning into their day pen. They've learned the routine, and go pretty easily where I want them to go (except for one chicken, Wrong Way Scooter).