Now I'm sad.

[skatcatla]

Looking at all the awesome chicken coops some of you have built, I'm feeling seriously henhouse-challenged! I', starting to wonder if my henhouse is just too small for four hens (I ordered it when I thought I'd only have 2-3 chickens).

I can't seem to find anything online that's the right size that's not a fortune. Dog houses are inexpensive, but it seems they would be very hard to clean and get access to. Playhouses are expensive. I think I'm going to have to see if I can hire someone to build something for me!

Anyone have any great plans they want to share with me?

 

[speckledhen]

Maybe you could have a local carpenter build one for you. Here is the link to the construction photos of my original 8x8 coop, called the Clutch Hutch. The shed roof design is actually very simple to build if you hire someone, nothing really complicated. We have changed the roosts in there and added on 12' to the length now, but the original coop worked very well. There are several pages of details and pics:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coops/clutch-hutch/index.php

 

[nccatnip]

Hey, at least you started!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to build another few coops for my 50+ babies and no clue where to start.

 

[skatcatla]

Thanks Speckledhen! I think your design might be a tad too big for the room I have, but you are right, I should just bite the bullet and see how much a local carpenter would charge me to build something. I see BuffHooligan has a design that would probably work great in my yard...

 

[speckledhen]

You can still use that basic design, but cut it down, make it 4x6 if you want. Shed roofs are the simplest ones to frame up, IMO, and therefore, cheaper to have someone do. There are so many wonderful coop designs here that you could take an idea or two from several and make it fit your own needs.

 

[McGoo]

I've got a doghouse conversion for 4 chooks and the size is really right. You could purchase a basic doghouse and have someone add nesting boxes out the side and cut a large entrance in the back for cleaning. Here's a photo of what we've used.

You can't tell from this photo, but the coop is about 1 1/2 feet off the ground. We built a drawer so that we could take out the poop from below the roost.

We are moving to a bigger coop soon, but basically because of my wanting more hens. This has worked well for everyone.

 

[Henrietta23]

Quote:
That's very similar to what we did with an old dog house. And we are in the same position of having to build larger because I want more chickens this spring!
We'll keep the old dog house coop as a separate place if we need to keep any of the chickens apart.

 

[McGoo]

Henrietta,
Yup, that's our plan too. I want little ones this spring

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Sometimes it's easier to start from scratch, but you could also think about trying to make modifications to your coop. Can you add a nest box to the outside of your coop, to free up a little more space inside the coop? You're in L.A., right? So, your chickens should have MUCH better weather than ours.

You could also roof part of your run next to the coop, so they have a nice area when it does rain. They could be out in the "porch" area, instead of in the coop on those days. You could even consider a small addition to your existing coop, if that would work. Like building on an extra room.

 

[skatcatla]

Woodland woman: Yes that's very much what I've been thinking, in fact I've already built a nest box to attach to the outside, which should free up some space inside.

And yes, fortunately our climate is mild much of the year so insulation isn't generally a problem. I do have a tarp covering the run so that it remains dry and shaded for them. I think I was just worried about the inside space being too crowded, but then again, they all seem to sleep piled up on each other like puppies, so maybe it doesn't matter!

McGoo: I saw your doghouse conversion earlier, its really great! I particularly like the drawer...very cool!