New coop, need advice!

[midwestdiva]

I'm new to the site, just did an intro yesterday, but I wanted to post pics of the coop my DH is making me.

We're close to being done, so now I have to figure out my run. My coop is 4'x4'x4', stands 2' off the ground. The run will start under the coop, will be 4' wide, but I'm not sure how long or tall to make it. I have 3 standard pullets, and I don't plan on having more than that at any time. We're located in NE Wisconsin, we get lots of snow in the winter.

Any suggestions or ideas are welcome! Here are some pics of the coop, I am not too limited in space for the run, I just don't want it to be too big I guess.

 

[Gargoyle]

I'd like to see more ventilation in the coop. Otherwise the buildup of ammonia from their poop can get hazardous.

 

[mickey328]

I'd recommend about 10 sq ft per bird, so if you make your run 4 x 7 or 4 x 8, that should give them plenty of room. You can tarp it as needed in the winter to keep snow from accumulating too much, but I would recommend having some sort of openings in it so you can move the snow to the edges so they don't have to walk in much depth.

 

[midwestdiva]

I'd like to see more ventilation in the coop. Otherwise the buildup of ammonia from their poop can get hazardous.

I was wondering that myself. The plans we followed didn't have any ventilation besides the window and the pop door. How big of a vent is typical on a coop that size?

 

[Gargoyle]

I was wondering that myself. The plans we followed didn't have any ventilation besides the window and the pop door. How big of a vent is typical on a coop that size?

I don't know what is typical or recommended, but here is what I've found with my situation.

Mine is a bit bigger than yours, 6 x 4' x 5' high. I have 10 square feet of open windows (covered with 1/2" hardware cloth). I'm in a similar climate to you, the walls and roof are insulated. In the summer I have to run a little ventilation fan, otherwise when it's above 80 degrees out the birds are panting on their perches. The last two winters I just had a small heat lamp and water inside, the lamp is enough to keep the water from freezing; however this year I moved the water outside, so I'm not sure yet what I'll do for supplemental heat when it gets below 20 or 25 degrees. I'll probably keep the water outside and get a heated water dish.

Even with 10 sq. ft. of open windows, if I don't clean their poop regularly the ammonia starts building up.

 

[midwestdiva]

I'd recommend about 10 sq ft per bird, so if you make your run 4 x 7 or 4 x 8, that should give them plenty of room. You can tarp it as needed in the winter to keep snow from accumulating too much, but I would recommend having some sort of openings in it so you can move the snow to the edges so they don't have to walk in much depth.

Thanks! I was thinking making it between 4x8 or 4x10, so that should be good.