Newb starting a backyard chicken coop

[mym1414]

Hello, I am planning to start a backyard chicken coop. Chicks are ordered and I will brood in a mesh pen that I am ordering from amazon. I am looking into this chicken coop . https://aivituvin.com/collections/c...n-house-with-run-air46?variant=44743597752601

Eventually I plan on keeping 10 chickens . Has anyone here ordered this coop before? Is it any good?

 

[nuthatched]

Sadly, that coop is only big enough for 6 birds, maximum.
You don't need a mesh container to brood, a cardboard box or dog kennel will work for the first week abd then they can be brooded in the coop.

 

[mym1414]

Sadly, that coop is only big enough for 6 birds, maximum.
You don't need a mesh container to brood, a cardboard box or dog kennel will work for the first week abd then they can be brooded in the coop.

Thanks for the advise . Will I be able to keep more if I make a chicken tunnel/ extended chicken run ?

 

[ella2025]

Thanks for the advise . Will I be able to keep more if I make a chicken tunnel/ extended chicken run ?

Yes, but the coop space is still super small. A prefab coop usually can hold max 1/2 the amount advertised. For your coop I wouldn't recommend keeping more than 5 in there.

 

[mym1414]

Sadly, that coop is only big enough for 6 birds, maximum.
You don't need a mesh container to brood, a cardboard box or dog kennel will work for the first week abd then they can be brooded in the coop.

A brooder plate won’t cause a fire in a cardboard box?

 

[Airyaman]

A brooder plate won’t cause a fire in a cardboard box?

Not unless there is a short in the cord! The typical surface temp of a brooder plate is 125F, and cardboard has a smoke point of ~450F, so it's all good.

 

[nuthatched]

You do

A brooder plate won’t cause a fire in a cardboard box?

Not unless something has gone horribly wrong. They aren't supposed to get hot.

 

[nuthatched]

Thanks for the advise . Will I be able to keep more if I make a chicken tunnel/ extended chicken run ?

No. The coop itself is too small, poorly designed and under ventilated.
I'd recommend looking for a shed to convert or diying it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you're planning on 10 birds max at the very minimum you'd want a coop of 40 sq ft not including nests and additional 100 sq ft in the run. Plus 10 ft of roost and 10 sq ft of open ventilation in the coop open 24/7 in moderate climates.

A shed would be a more realistic starting point for a coop, and a large dog kennel or two a more realistic starting point for a run, if you can't build from scratch.

 

[PertyGertie]

I found a good video on YouTube. It’s a huge coop but would be easily scaled down. Most coops at farm stores or online are junk. Ask me how I know.

I’m currently helping a friend build a coop like this. It’s coming along nicely.