New guy here. Need help on coop

[JesusFreak824]

Yea it’s still unclear as to how I would have it with the pics of the coop I posted earlier. Anyhow...I’ve heard a lot about 3 open sided coops. What about wind? I also see a bunch of posts about people putting up plastic and stuff to protect from wind. I’m trying to avoiding having to makeshift anything. He said he could make about a foot Vents at the top on the two sides if I decide not to go 3 open sides. Ideas ? Sorry I know I’m asking a lot and I really appreciate it

 

[saysfaa]

The wind can only blow "through" the coop; it can't blow "into" the coop if the other three sides are solid so that it can't go on through. It works best if the coop is deeper than it is wide at about a 1 to 1.6 ratio... most buildings are about the right proportions to just leave the short side open. The Woods coop is worth looking into - that is based on books by Prince T Woods. I think an easier to build than his design will also work as far as the ventilation goes because it did in barns on the farm I grew up on. I will know when the first storm blows through this summer - mine is being built now. I'm putting soffit and ridge vents and windows in as well as the open side because I want the air to flow through during the summer. Those will all be closable for winter.... not with make-sift plastic although I haven't worked out all the details about that yet.
Edit to add: sorry, I read a couple of days ago that you are that far south but I forgot when I wrote this... yes, you want the airflow.

 

[3KillerBs]

Anyhow...I’ve heard a lot about 3 open sided coops. What about wind? I also see a bunch of posts about people putting up plastic and stuff to protect from wind.

The people doing this are in the north and worrying about blizzards filling their run with snow. They put up plastic to keep the run as clear as is feasible so that the chickens aren't stuck in the coop alone all winter.

This is my southern winterization: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/winterizing-coop-and-pen-nc-sandhills-version.1431885/

The wind can only blow "through" the coop; it can't blow "into" the coop if the other three sides are solid so that it can't go on through. It works best if the coop is deeper than it is wide at about a 1 to 1.6 ratio... most buildings are about the right proportions to just leave the short side open. The Woods coop is worth looking into - that is based on books by Prince T Woods.

The Woods Coop is an excellent design for the north and for temperate areas.

The south needs more airflow for our brutal heat and humidity. You want air to blow through the coop above the birds' heads while they're sitting on the roost.

This coop is good inspiration for any of us hot-climate people: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/texas-coop-build-pic-heavy.1371038/

 

[21hens-incharge]

The slide out poo trays are a poor design. Inevitably that poo will be taller in a spot then the slot. If hardened the tray won't slide. If wet then it smears.
For removing trays most find it easier to have them sitting on supports so they lift out. When I had poo trays I only had to take them out occasionally to scrub them. Most of the time I only had to do that daily clean up without removing them.

A couple pics to give you a visual of open sofits and the why of all the plastic being used.
Open sofits.



Here is the why of my use of plastic.

 

[AprilsZoo]

I know there’s a million of them but it really is a good idea to go over to the “coops” section of this site & look at a bunch of the coops that people are using successfully. Many people have gone to the trouble of writing up the specifics of their coop build— & have done it well. So you can get an idea of what is working for them, & what they wish they’d done differently.
Also, it’s helpful to read the comments, because other people will discuss the design of the coop, and often there are great ideas there that could be implemented easily.
From the examples there, you’ll be able to come up with your own version, loosely based on what your “coop guy” already offers. Or you might come up with something you’d be able to construct for yourself.

Here‘s a link that might help: Coops

 

[Hens1952]

I’m brand new to the chicken world. I actually don’t have any yet nor do I have a coop. But my wife and I want to start with about 4-6 chickens. What the best coop you can buy as a starter, that’s inexpensive? Say <$600?

Tractor Supply has great options!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Tractor Supply has great options!

Most people on here won't recommend those. They are prefabs with all the usual issues.....to small for # of birds listed, no ventilation, poor quality materials, not predator proof and a real pain to try and clean.

 

[Indoroowet]

How handy are you doing things on your own?
Read this article, on how to build one for not much money. The "plans' also contain info on how to make a feeder and a waterer.

Download the file and if you have questions, PM me

https://www.facebook.com/groups/815991971910073/permalink/1343477995828132

 

[ordermatters]

I’m brand new to the chicken world. I actually don’t have any yet nor do I have a coop. But my wife and I want to start with about 4-6 chickens. What the best coop you can buy as a starter, that’s inexpensive? Say <$600?

I am fairly new to having chickens. But luckily pretty good in building stuff. At first, before I got my 4 " ladies" I thought let me buy one of those " marvelous" chicken coops. Please, stay away from those overpriced, more or less useless toys. Not only are they made so cheaply. Also, any preditor could easily get in. And the way they think. Adult chickens must be half the size in reality. The photo they show with chickens is ALL fake. Real chickens would never fit in there. I bought one of those coops for 6 chickens, I had to alter the nesting boxes to 4 because 1 chicken could have never fit in one. Also, I had to replace all the locks because a raccoon could have easily ripped them off at once. As I said, they are made to look nice, but are made very cheaply!Just be careful and do your research. I learned from my mistakes.

 

[Chicken Farmer Pastor]

I’m brand new to the chicken world. I actually don’t have any yet nor do I have a coop. But my wife and I want to start with about 4-6 chickens. What the best coop you can buy as a starter, that’s inexpensive? Say <$600?

The coops you see at local farm supply stores that cost about $200 and are a kit that requires you to build them are really not big enough for even 1 chicken. There is very little space for them to roam the small free space at the bottom. Don’t waste your money on something like that. I got a large dog kennel (metal with large door opening). I got the roof kit as well. Then I built a simple box structure with wire mesh sides for the chickens to go in and relax (left doorway open). On top of the box I put a medium-size dog grate and put a chicken heater in it and some homemade roosting bars. My chickens love sleeping up there. They lay eggs in any of the three nesting boxes I hung on the side walls of the kennel. I put a little fence area outside the kennel do the hens can go out and forage during the day. At night I close the kennel door. It works nice and cost less than $600. It provides more room and it is easy to clean compared to the kits in the farm supply store.