Ok Coop?

[CrazedGirl]

Hey everyone!

We are looking at having a coop built- a couple options I have posted below.

The red one is 5’ x 6’

The grey one is 5’ x 8’

We are looking to have about 15 chickens (I’ve told hubby 10 ) Does anyone see any issues with either of these two coops?
We are going to construct our own run for them and they will also have free access to our 3+ acre property during the weekends/our off days for extra foraging.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

From what I've learned here on BYC was you need a minimum of 4 sq ft per bird inside coop. So, if you want 15 birds, you'll need a minimum of 60 sq ft. Neither of those coops provide that much square footage.

Take it from someone who made the mistake of building a coop too small...don't go with anything smaller than the minimum required. I'm planning to upgrade to a Wood's coop that is 8' wide by 12' deep this Spring. Building twice in a year is no fun....at all...

 

[CrazedGirl]

So a 6’ x 10’ would probably be best then. We found someone on craigslist to make them (the grey coop) and a 6 x 10 seems reasonably priced for a hobbyist builder compared to getting it Amish made.

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

So a 6’ x 10’ would probably be best then. We found someone on craigslist to make them (the grey coop) and a 6 x 10 seems reasonably priced for a hobbyist builder compared to getting it Amish made.

That's 60 sq ft...divided by 4 sq ft per bird = 15 birds. I wish I knew that equation prior to my build...**sigh**. Live and learn...

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

Read up on ventilation on here too...you may need to have the builders add more...

 

[cholland]

Definitely build a little bigger than you think if you can. If you plan on raising chicks again you may want enough space to section something off for a brooder pen, or even to separate an injured or sick bird. Also consider how much room they will have in bad weather.
And chicken math happens...

 

[Rob Tof]

Think future a good coop needs three basic things proper size. A place to keep your supplies and a place to seporate and or brood chicks. For 15 chicks I would make a 10x16. Plenty of room.

 

[CrazedGirl]

Read up on ventilation on here too...you may need to have the builders add more...

Ah..yeah I knew there were questions with ventilation when it comes to building. Hmm.. would you suggest adding a vent low on one side and then one higher up?

 

[JMotuzick]

Agreed, just like your garage or work shop. (For the laddies your closet) double the size your thinking and you’ll be close!

 

[CrazedGirl]

Looks like it is back to the drawing board to figure out how to get the correct lay out of one before I get the girls!