- Oct 12, 2008
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Thanks everyone for all the great tips. I've been lurking for several months. We pulled the trigger and bought a 6X8 garden shed this month and will convert it into a coop. The plan is to raise chicks from eggs sometime this winter and put them in the coop when the coop ammendments and run construction are complete.
Here are our guidelines so far:
1. Everything in the coop will be off the floor for ease of cleaning.
2. We will probably use the deep little method, 5-10" deep, but may also try putting trays under the roosts at some point to see how that works.
3. For a max. of 12 birds we will have a 6X8 coop with at least 120 inches of roosting space, three nest boxes, and a 8X15 run outside.
4. The nest boxes will have an access door outside so the kids can collect eggs without getting their feet dirty.
5. The shed will not have electricity which I am told is okay in Maryland. To improve insulation, the interior walls will have paneling at least half way up. This creates a dead air space, and makes cleaning out the coop easier because the walls meet the floor without all the nooks of bare framing.
6. The coop will have another small door for feeding and watering the birds. This allows us to avoid opening a giant people door in the winter which would let out most of the natural heat.
7. I have installed three small windows on the south side for plenty of light and warmth during the day.
Below is the plan for the layout. Photos coming soon. Interested in any comments or suggestions.
Thanks again, I love this site.
Harold
Here are our guidelines so far:
1. Everything in the coop will be off the floor for ease of cleaning.
2. We will probably use the deep little method, 5-10" deep, but may also try putting trays under the roosts at some point to see how that works.
3. For a max. of 12 birds we will have a 6X8 coop with at least 120 inches of roosting space, three nest boxes, and a 8X15 run outside.
4. The nest boxes will have an access door outside so the kids can collect eggs without getting their feet dirty.
5. The shed will not have electricity which I am told is okay in Maryland. To improve insulation, the interior walls will have paneling at least half way up. This creates a dead air space, and makes cleaning out the coop easier because the walls meet the floor without all the nooks of bare framing.
6. The coop will have another small door for feeding and watering the birds. This allows us to avoid opening a giant people door in the winter which would let out most of the natural heat.
7. I have installed three small windows on the south side for plenty of light and warmth during the day.
Below is the plan for the layout. Photos coming soon. Interested in any comments or suggestions.
Thanks again, I love this site.
Harold
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