New Coop Advice

[jmcoburn]

I've decided to build an enclosure after my second attack this month. Thankfully, my hen made it out unscathed but I've decided that I don't want to free range anymore.
I have a bantam rooster, 1 full size hen (EE) and 3 pullets- Barnevelder, Wyandotte, and Light Brahma, so they're going to be fairly large hens. My current plan is a L16'xW16'xH6' pen with their coop inside of the enclosure. I know they say 10 square foot per bird and this gives them more than that...but is it really big enough? I feel bad copping them up but I don't want them to die. Right now they have the nott of the bank barn which is avout 800-1000 square foot (pullets) and I was letting the adult birds free range when the weather was nice (until yesterday).
Here are my thoughts for the pen. I rent so it has to be temporary/moveable. Any suggestions welcome!

The pavers are to line the bottom in order to prevent digging under the fence. I will roof half of the top and part of the sides for wind/sun/precip shielding. I was thinking of putting the tire with ashes for dust baths and various roosts and things to help keep them occupied. (Please give other suggestions!) I might let them out for a little while on the weekends while I'm around to watch them but this will be where they will spend the majority of their time.

 

[aart]

Is coop raised, so they get the entire 6 x 16 run 'floor'?
(post above says 16 x 16, you can edit it to correct)
With 5 birds that's almost 20sqft per bird, sounds good to me.
Might need more bracing across roof for snow load on tarp, but the 1x1" mesh will be good for that.

 

[jmcoburn]

The coop is one of the tsc coops. It has raised coop and they have access to the underneath so yes technically access to all 16x16. Bracing the top is a good idea. Thank you!

 

[aart]

The coop is one of the tsc coops. It has raised coop and they have access to the underneath so yes technically access to all 16x16. Bracing the top is a good idea. Thank you!

Your typing 16 x 16 but your sketch shows 6 x16 run and 6 x 6 coop....not sure a TCS coop is 6 x 6.
Things are not adding up.

 

[jmcoburn]

16'x16' 6'tall...

 

[jmcoburn]

https://jet.com/product/detail/f924...iBO2PPWbK5L-26FXbySLSJQ8IufQ_Gpm_HRoCdGHw_wcB
This is the coop going in it. The door will be open for them but idk if they will use it unless going into coop

 

[jmcoburn]

Oh and the 6'x6' on the front is a door

 

[aart]

Oh and the 6'x6' on the front is a door

Ohhh, now I see!!.... my bad<blush>
I misread, or rather did not read, the labels on your drawing views.
I'm a drafter by trade and thought the top view was...well, the 'top view'.
Now I see you don't have a 'top view' on your sketch.
Hahaha.... am laughing at myself here!!

16 x 16 is plenty of run space for 5 birds, tho building the mesh roof may be a challenge......
.....but that coop is not big enough for 5 birds, even if one is a bantam.
Though you may already know that, so maybe are going to build a new, and larger, coop too?

 

[TalkALittle]

Don't waste you're money on that tiny prefab. Five birds will never fit, especially those breeds. Not without serious crowding issues.

If you've already got that coop I suggest a remodel. Drop the floor and enclose the entire thing with plywood, (leaving some openings for ventilation) making the entire structure a coop.

 

[jmcoburn]

The inside is fairly large. I got it on sale in a pinch-I took in a rooster who was dumped on my property. Then got a few hens because why not? The 3 that were in there slept comfortably with room to spare. I don't have any problem closing it in though. My only concern is having enough room to be happy. They love the free range obviously but I live on 6 acres with 2 farms on either side and a 500 acre park across the street so lots of predators