Newbies and Coops

[808momof4]

We are new chicken parents to nine 2 week old standard sized chicks. We are in the design phase of building our coop (it rocks to have a contractor for a husband). We live in Hawaii, so cold weather is not a problem for us. The coldest temps here are still mid to high 50's a few days a year (if that).

We are planning an 8x4 coop, 4 nesting boxes attached with about 56 sq ft run along with mostly free range. 56 sq ft run is just so we can sleep in one day a week. LOL Hawaii does not have any natural predators for chickens. Our biggest problem will be mongoose trying to get the eggs and wild roosters trying to fertilize my girls. (We have a lot of wild roosters and hens here).

Do these plans sound alright?
Because we don't have cold weather, do we need to build a door for the coop? We are thinking of just leaving the entrance open enough for me or our kids to reach in and clean in the same place our girls will use a ladder to get into their coop. We plan windows for good ventilation with or without a door.

What are we missing? We have never ever done this, so need all the help we can get.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Coop is a tad small. 4sqFt per bird is the norm. Don’t forget about your domesticated predators. Cats and dogs are one of the biggest chicken killers and can invade a coop.

 

[808momof4]

I read that 2-3 sq ft per bird for the coop? Are we really too small at 32 sq ft? Darn

 

[Melodychick]

Hi and welcome! Since you’re in a warm climate you can leave your coop door open to a secure run. I’m in a fairly warm area too and have an open air coop. In fact my coop is mostly just for nesting boxes and the chickens stay in the run when not free ranging. This is a pic of my original coop/run. I have since added on (chicken math...) There are solid walls on the north and west because that’s where our cold comes from with a door on it so I can lock chickens in if necessary. Just be sure the run is secure (hardware cloth, skirt and roof) and you should be fine.

 

[Percheron chick]

No need to build a traditional 4 wall coop. Think something more like an aviary. You will need a wall to the prevailing winds and a roof with a nice overhang to keep the rain out. I would be most concerned with where is the runoff going to go. A wet muddy coop and run will be a battle you can never win if the placement, prep work and design isn't right from the start for your typical rainfall . roof the run as well. Dogs are chickens #1 predator so your run still needs to be built with something stronger than chicken wire.
2 nesting boxes are sufficient for 9 hens. Save the work and space.

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

I read that 2-3 sq ft per bird for the coop? Are we really too small at 32 sq ft? Darn

It’s 4sqFt. The 2-3 is not anywhere near enough room. I have 27 birds and have 120sqft in my coop. It prevents some pecking.

 

[808momof4]

No need to build a traditional 4 wall coop. Think something more like an aviary. You will need a wall to the prevailing winds and a roof with a nice overhang to keep the rain out. I would be most concerned with where is the runoff going to go. A wet muddy coop and run will be a battle you can never win if the placement, prep work and design isn't right from the start for your typical rainfall . roof the run as well. Dogs are chickens #1 predator so your run still needs to be built with something stronger than chicken wire.
2 nesting boxes are sufficient for 9 hens. Save the work and space.

We were thinking about chain link fencing for the run because of dogs and cats and some chicken wire along the bottom to keep the mongoose out.