New from Texas

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If you have LF (large fowl - also called Standard Fowl) instead of bantams, your nest boxes should be between 12" to 14" inches wide and about 12" or so tall. Chickens usually wait until the current occupant is out of the next box or use another box, but that is not always the case - I've had 2 standard hens try to fit into a box at the same time, and I've heard others on here have more than that try to use the same box concurrently. Hens usually want a darker, more enclosed space to lay an egg - so don't make the box big enough for two...3 boxes for 9 LF hens will be plenty.
 
I'm about to go to the feed store to find out what breeds I've got, one was black barred, and I think they are both large fowl. (Having seen some adults and pullets(?) at my mechanic's, whose shop is 3 doors down from the feed store.)

I had planned 12 nest boxes, 3 upper, 3 lower, on each side of this chicken house, with horizontal hinged door access for cleaning, the center foot of the house is chicken wire and will have 1 by 2 slats over it. Perches planned to be over that wire...(I don't have a lot of time - trying to minimize cleaning). 3/8 inch plywood for construction to minimize weight - I'm working on this alone with 2 kids, ages 5 and 9. My grown childrens' interest in helping mom with projects died around the time they turned 21. Fortunately my power tool collection went up around the same time. I didn't have a plan for an indoor feeding area, although I've made a rough automatic feeder for the inside of the brooder I built out of 3/8 plywood and pondliner (for waterproofing). It's a 1.5 gallon lidded bucket with 3 half inch holes drilled out of one side, sits on a big bucket lid with a rim that keeps the feed "on the plate". Chicks still haven't figured out how to eat out of the holes, I have to shake food out for them onto the lid.

The original drawing was in pencil and blew away in the wind last week. I guess. It disappeared anyway. But I kept the design simple, my roofed run is 6 ft high, and by the time the house is done, the roof peak will be right at 6 ft. Hopefully this image insert will work. If I'm not going to need 12 nest boxes, how can I best use the space I've got laid out, and where would the best place for the nest boxes be?
51708_chickencoop.gif
 
Good job posting the photo! Post of pics of your little chicks on the "What Breed or Gender Is This" forum and you'll probably get answers on what breeds you have. On your coop questions, I suggest posting your last query on the "Coop & Run - Design & Construction" forum. A lot of people with more construction knowledge will see it there and have better answers. To get to any of these forums, click "Index" on the blue bar up top and find the correct forum in the list. Good luck!
 
they won't hold still for pics - I just took them back outdoors. I tightened up some wind gaps on the brooder and put the light on, without the flooding we had yesterday, they may be Ok outside tonight. They do have feathers, but the temp is going to 32 also. I have to work tomorrow. thanks for all your help - I posted on the coop design forum. Thank you for the tip about checking index to find the other forums. Learning the site.
 

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