Newbie Questions...Help!

[IndigoChicken12]

Ok, so I'm getting my first flock in June, and I just have a couple newbie questions...

1. What can the MINIMUM height of my coop be?
2. If my coop is multi-floored, should I put the roosts on the top floor, or the bottom floor?
3. When is the earliest I can put my chicks in the coop? (I live in Texas, so our summers are pretty hot)
4. I've heard that a 2x4 works good as a roost, but which side should be facing up?
5. How high off the ground should the roosts be, at a minimum?

Sorry for all the questions, but my whole family is totally new to this....
Thanks!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, IndigoChicken12, and

! Great to have you in our community! As to your questions...
1. Unsure if there is a minimum height
2. I'd put the roosts on the top - chickens want to be as high as possible on the roost.
3. If your coop is well-ventilated I guess you can put them in whenever. They will go in on their own at dark.
4. The narrow side of a 2 x 4 (which is really only 1 3/4") seems narrow to me - so I'd use the wide side. I use about 3" tree limbs.
5. Again, not sure if there is a minimum - they will occupy the highest point in the coop they can comfortably roost. I do know that your lowest roost should be higher than the highest nest box so they don't roost in the boxes.

Good luck to you and have fun!

 

[IndigoChicken12]

Thanks a ton redsoxs! Ok, then I'm going to change my first question.
1. How tall is the average hen? (I'm getting an Australorp, a Wyandotte, an Easter Egger, a Plymouth Rock, and a Partrige Rock)

Thanks!

 

[DDNONIN2016]

Hello and welcome ..... so glad you joined BYC

Good luck with your coop construction. Check out the coops page, there are some awesome one's to peruse

 

[IndigoChicken12]

Ok, thanks DDNONIN2016! I'll be sure to check out some threads!
Also, just a super random question, but how do you add an emoticon?

 

[miquwid]

It's great to have you!

I would decide first how you will be able to clean and the coop out and then decide all the rest.

1. What can the MINIMUM height of my coop be?

I would say 2-3 feet to give yourself some room to clean and move around.

2. If my coop is multi-floored, should I put the roosts on the top floor, or the bottom floor?

I don't see why not just remember the rule above about the nest box.

3. When is the earliest I can put my chicks in the coop? (I live in Texas, so our summers are pretty hot)

as long as you can keep the heat up on them the first 3 - 4 weeks of their life outside is fine. But at this time of year even in NY it's warm enough to be outside!!

4. I've heard that a 2x4 works good as a roost, but which side should be facing up?

Agree with above use the wider side.

5. How high off the ground should the roosts be, at a minimum?

just higher than your nest box, and depending on your breeds as well. For example silkies can't fly so they have to be able to jump on to the roost.

I wish you the best of luck with everything and I hope you have as much fun as I did and do with building coops!

 

[IndigoChicken12]

Thanks miquwid, I was really looking for that!

 

[miquwid]

Happy coop building I can't wait to see pics!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't think anyone has recorded average heights of chickens - I assume you mean to the top of their heads. Chickens spend so much of their time with their heads near the ground I don't think they would mind having to stoop a bit on the roost.

Regarding roost height, big, heavy breeds can land hard jumping down ,possibly injuring themselves. I'd lower the roost if that is what you have. Birds like Silkies prefer to pile on in a corner and sleep on the floor. Their big crests and beards prevent them from seeing well & their silkied wings are NOT much good for flying.

 

[miquwid]

Second that, though my silkies have to roost on the highest one because the other birds do, I made extra ramps for that purpose.