nesting box & perch questions

[jaclyncarneal]

So we turned our 16ft by 8ft shed (about 7 feet tall) into a coop. We are putting 3 different doors with a moveable run to give them enclosed access to 3 areas at different times. We figured moving the run one time a week will be fine. Other than that they will free range for a limited time (2-4 hours daily) under supervision.
We have it all just about ready to go (our chicks still have about a month before they are moved to the coop).
We arent sure on how high perches and nesting boxes should be though. Also how far apart should each one be. Does each hen need her own nesting box? How many perches should we install? We have 4 chicks 2 are positively black ameurcanos (probably spelled that wrong) the other 2 arent feathered in yet. (they are about 2 weeks apart in age)
Any advice helps. ❤

 

[Pork Pie]

No set rules on roost height, but mine are around 3-3.5ft high. Each bird requires around 1.5ft roost space. The nest boxes should be lower than the roosts (otherwise your chickens will use the nest boxes as roosts) and the suggested ratio is 1 box for every 4 hens.

 

[Kiki]

So you have a total of four birds?
Plan on at least one foot of roost per each bird.
I would only add one nest box, maybe two.

You will want your roost bar high then the next boxes.

 

[jaclyncarneal]

Thank you. I felt a little over whelmed for a bit trying to figure it all out. Im just hoping they have enough room in the winter (i live in Md and it gets pretty cold here). I doubt the hens will spend much time outdoors when its frigid. So im hoping the coop gives them enough room. Im glad i asked iwas going to install 4 nesting boxes and a whole wall of perches at different heights. Now they will have more room to play in the winter.

 

[Kiki]

What is the size of your coop?

 

[Pork Pie]

What is the size of your coop?

16*8 ft. This should be plenty of room for 4 birds. Do make sure that ventilation is adequate. A deep litter bedding system will save you a lot of time also.

 

[aart]

Here's my theory on the 'stack up' aspect to coop design:

Bottom of pop door is best about 8" above floor so bedding doesn't get dragged out of coop.

Nice to have bottom of nests about 18" above bedding to allow use of that floor space under them(doesn't count if your nests are mounted on outside of coop).

Roosts are best about 12" higher than nests so birds won't roost(sleep) in nests and poop in them, if you use poop boards under roosts it will also 'stretch' your floor space.

Upper venting works best as high as possible above roosts so no strong drafts hit roosts in winter...and hot/moist air and ammonia can rise and exit coop.

 

[jaclyncarneal]

16*8 ft. This should be plenty of room for 4 birds. Do make sure that ventilation is adequate. A deep litter bedding system will save you a lot of time also.

I was going to do vinyl flooring for easy clean up. Is this a bad idea?

 

[aart]

I was going to do vinyl flooring for easy clean up. Is this a bad idea?

I keep dry shavings for bedding on my vinyl floor....but do deep litter out in the run.

 

[jaclyncarneal]

Thanks everyone. Were finishing the coop this weekend. The 2 more adventurous chicks wanna run the yard, but the other 2 still basically stay in my lap. So im thinking the adventurous 2 will lead the other chicks into the run.