New guy in the coop

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Browning2013

Browning2013

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6 Years
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Hi every one. I've been told to check out the site by at least 3 people in the last two days. Been reading up. I owned some gamecocks in my early teens but most of the work was done by my step father. We had a big cock house, a brood coop and then the rest were tied in the yard with a-frames.

I have a 21 month old son and want to get a few chickens and think he'd enjoy having some around. My issues are I need to build a coop. Fiancee wants to buy one cause they're pretty but I know they're mostly garbage and won't last long. Been searching google for free plans but most sites lack info or what your money.

We don't want a huge one right now and only plan to have one rooster and a couple of hens. What I want is something off of the ground, but with a little wired run underneath for days they can't roam the yard. I also plan on having a ladder for them to get in and out of the yard to the coop. I figure if I do build one I might as well think a little into the future and make at least 3 nesting boxes to allow for another hen. Do they share nests or is it a "I use mine you use yours type of thing?"

I have some questions that I am sure are here on the forum but I haven't discovered the answers yet since I've just been browsing coop pics for the most part so far.

1. Is a light necessary in the winter? I'd rather not have to run a cord if I don't have to.
2. If I do a run under the coop should the ladder be hinged for closing if needed?
3. How does one train a chicken to actually use the coop at night? Our game fowl roosted in trees when loose.
4. How do I properly vent the coop while keeping it warm enough for winter?
5. Are you annoyed yet? lol


I'm sure I have more and will continue reading the forums. This will be a whole new ball game to the chickens I kept years ago.

Edit- I found a free rooster to get me started but have nothing to keep him safe until a coop is built.
 
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Greeting from Kansas, Browing2013, and
welcome-byc.gif
! Great to have you aboard! I'll try to address some of your questions.
Depending on how many hens you plan on having one day in the future, One nest box per 3 or 4 hens is sufficient. I have 6 nest boxes and 18 hens....3 of the boxes never have eggs in them. The remaining 3 have ALL the eggs in them.

1. Light isn't necessary but chickens need about 14 hours of light per day to keep up their laying cycle. Some folks provide artificial light to keep the laying going. Others don't, figuring the shorter days with less daylight are Mother Nature's way of giving the hens a break. I had a few two or three egg days in the dark days of winter....right now I'm getting 14 on average from my 18 girls.
2. Yes, make the coop as predator proof as possible. If a raccoon or something gets into the run, don't make it easy for it to enter the coop and kill your birds - lock the coop up tight!
3. Lock the birds in the coop for three or 4 days - no free ranging - maybe not even into the run. They will recognize the coop as "home" and return to it.
4. Ventilation is important - "clean" air is a must. I simple vent hear the ceiling/roof will suffice. Drafts are bad for chickens - ventilation is good. In terms of cold...chickens handle it better than they do heat. Here's my favorite article about that:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/421122/think-its-too-cold-for-your-chickens-think-again

5. Never annoyed!!
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You ask great questions!! Keep them coming - BYC is full of great info and helpful folks. Good luck to you!!!
 
Great advice above so just wanted to chime in & say hello & welcome to BYC :) There is also great info in the learning center tab.
 
Thanks redsoxs.

So if I never plan on more than 4 hens, 2 nesting boxes would be plenty.

1. I know they need the sunlight which is why I was planning on doing a small run in the bottom. I would like for them to be in the yard as much as possible, yet have some space for winter days and days like bday parties, etc where they might want to have their way on tables and such. I hope for them to be as people friendly as possible.

2. The predator things brings me to a new question. Regular chicken wire seems very flimsy. Would it be wise to get some thing a bit stronger for the under the coop run? Should I also bury it a few inches underground to avoid digging and to prevent ruts from rain? I may have to build in an area that has a small slope but it's not enough to bother the chickens.

3. That's a great idea.

4. I was thinking one of these on two sides of the coop. Would this be the only venting needed? http://images.orgill.com/200x200/7510266.jpg

5. Thank you.




What is the correct type of wood for the coop to be made from? Do I also stain/seal all pieces for added protection inside and out? Not sure if this is the size I'll go with but I'd like a 4x4 coop, with a run under neath that is 4x6. On one side I want the nesting boxes and and on the front will be a huge door for cleaning with a smaller door inside of it for the chicken to come and go. I need to work out a door for underneath as well for both me to access the run and for the chicken to go from run to inside the coop.

Might be easier to explin if I try to draw it up. I'm way ahead of myself with trying to get my garden going, need to spread a nbig pile of dirt to get some grass growing in an area and plus tossing together a home before4 some one else gets this rooster lol


Here's the guy I'd like to get but I might not get a coop done in time
haULTLv.jpg
 
welcome-byc.gif
You don't need many nesting boxes because no matter how many you have, the hens will usually fight over using the same one. They will either wait for the occupant to leave, or they climb on top and lay eggs anyway.
 
2. The predator things brings me to a new question. Regular chicken wire seems very flimsy. Would it be wise to get some thing a bit stronger for the under the coop run? Should I also bury it a few inches underground to avoid digging and to prevent ruts from rain? I may have to build in an area that has a small slope but it's not enough to bother the chickens.

...Great question. Yes - chicken wire is great at containing chickens but does little to deter a determined predator. Invest in hard wire cloth (welded wire mesh). It's a bit pricey but I only use it around the ground perimeter and up about 15". And yes, many folks bury it a few inches to keep digging varmints out.

4. Yes, that would be fine for ventilation.
 
Welcome to BYC!!!
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Glad to have you aboard!!
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redsoxs said:
2. The predator things brings me to a new question. Regular chicken wire seems very flimsy. Would it be wise to get some thing a bit stronger for the under the coop run? Should I also bury it a few inches underground to avoid digging and to prevent ruts from rain? I may have to build in an area that has a small slope but it's not enough to bother the chickens.

...Great question. Yes - chicken wire is great at containing chickens but does little to deter a determined predator. Invest in hard wire cloth (welded wire mesh). It's a bit pricey but I only use it around the ground perimeter and up about 15". And yes, many folks bury it a few inches to keep digging varmints out.

4. Yes, that would be fine for ventilation.
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Thank you. Not sure what it would cost to build a coop that I want but I think it would be wise to go that route. I found this for $100 locally but it's not off the ground(coop), lacks vents and nesting boxes



I imagine I could build this for less, or beter. Asked if they were firm and they said yes because they have about that into it


Happy Houdan said:
Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us!
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Mr MKK FARMS said:
Welcome to BYC!!!
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Glad to have you aboard!!
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Click to expand...
Thanks. Glad to be here
 

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