Newb

[John hodges]

Hi everyone. My fatherinlaw gave my kids three chicks and a rabbit for Easter. So guess I'm gonna be raisin chickens. No idea on age sex or breed. Doesn't really make a difference. I'm recycling pallets to build a coop/run. I'm thinking a four x four x four elevated coop, with a four x eight run. Nesting boxes that extend to the exterior, and a tin roof. My questions are:
1. I'll have a ramp going up into the coop. Does it need a door at the top?
2. Can wood scraps from my fatherinlaw a planer be used in the coop floor?

Thanks for any and all replies, God bless

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, John, and

! Pleased you joined our flock!! To your questions, I would say yes, the top of the ramp needs a door that can be closed at night and latched to keep out hungry raccoons, possums, skunks, and whatever else might want a chicken dinner. Make the door large enough for a chicken to get in and out of, but not so large that things like dogs or coyotes can get in.
The wood scraps for the floor should be fine as well - try to keep things as level as possible. The Coop and Run forum is great if you have questions or concerns.

Here's a link to the Coops and Run forum:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance

Good luck to you and have fun!

 

[John hodges]

Greetings from Kansas, John, and

! Pleased you joined our flock!! To your questions, I would say yes, the top of the ramp needs a door that can be closed at night and latched to keep out hungry raccoons, possums, skunks, and whatever else might want a chicken dinner. Make the door large enough for a chicken to get in and out of, but not so large that things like dogs or coyotes can get in.
The wood scraps for the floor should be fine as well - try to keep things as level as possible. The Coop and Run forum is great if you have questions or concerns.

Here's a link to the Coops and Run forum:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/9/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance

Good luck to you and have fun!

Thanks for the reply. A latched door it is

 

[Keltara]

I agree that the scrap wood is okay. When it comes to building your actual coop, keep in mind that the coop is the "last line of defense" against predators that often do break into chicken runs. So I agree with redsocks on the locked door. When my husband built our coop, I had him use the best ideas that I had found here, and then apply them to my coop. It has been really great. If you're interested, you can check it out here.

Also, when building your coop, keep in mind that you need 4sq. ft. per bird for the coop, and 10 sq. ft. per bird for the run. You are well within that guideline, but please consider making your coop and run larger because inevitably 'chicken math' will play in. That's what happens to nearly ALL backyard chicken keepers. What it is, is the desire to have MORE chickens the next spring because it was way more fun than you had anticipated, and building bigger from the get go is a lot easier than starting all over next year. Enjoy!!

Kelly

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Our Country Chronicles

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[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!

Glad you joined us!!

 

[Kevin565]

 

[John hodges]

I started breaking down old pallets today (cheap lumber). I'll post pics as I go. Thanks again

 

[Carcajou]