New to this! Building a Coop? I have some Questions!

[farmerbly]

Hi, I'm in the process of building a chicken coop. Its 8X8X8. It's a simple design using standard size lumber with very little left over odd size scrap. I have some questions. With all of the reading I understand ventilation is important. I put in 7 windows 12"x12". Is that enough? When it comes to the roost....Do all the roost need to be the same height? And what height should they be? I have 8' walls? I do understand that the nesting boxes do not go under the roost! But what height in relation to the roost do they need to be? And how many boxes? The windows are 5 1/2ft high. There are 2 windows per side, one on the front and a full size door and a chicken door. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Oh yea looking at getting about 12 hens and a rooster.
Thanks
BillyP

 

[DanEP]

As far as ventilation you should be fine as long as the windows open and you will want to cover the windows with some type of wire fencing because regular screening won't stop a coon or a cat.
I have a 8x8 coop too and it has 2 roost 5 ft long one is about 30 inches high and one is 48 inches. this allows heavier breeds to get up and down easier and give the girls lower on the pecking order a place to sleep. The nesting boxes should be lower than your lowest roost or the chickens will want to sleep in them not a good idea. I use this coop for a grow out coop so I seem to always have young pullets in there so I cover the nest boxes so they can't get in them till their about 16 weeks by then their roosting and it gives them time to explore them before laying.With 12 girls 3-4 boxes will be plenty. I have 10 girls in there right now and they only use 2.

Good luck and enjoy you new girls when you get them Dan

 

[farmerbly]

Hey thanks Dan for the info. I think i'll put up some good wire mesh and then screen on that too. We have bad mosqitoes here but the wire mesh is a great idea. Didnt think about that. Thanks for all the info.
BillyP

 

[farmerbly]

How many hens can a 8x8 coop support?