Ok Coop?

[KettermanHillCoop]

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?

I'm by no means an expert here...I'm just learning myself. However, this thread is almost always referenced when discussing ventilation. I've taken many notes on the subject from reading it.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/ventilated-but-free-of-drafts.1048597/

 

[KettermanHillCoop]

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!

I've killed about 3 trees worth of graph paper doodling designs, tossing in trash, start over...doodle...trash...doodle trash. lol I came to the conclusion to just do a Wood's coop and be done with it. It's proven...effective...and there's a book to follow! lol Plus...a few great peeps here have the Wood's coop and have shared their plans and are always very helpful.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The overall design on those doesn't look bad but for 15 I would scale up to at least 6x10, more if you have space/budget for it. As far as ventilation I think the minimum recommended is 1 sq ft per chicken or 10% of floor space (whichever is greater), so if these are being built to order see if the builder can add more vents or windows.

I'm also having a 6x10 coop built and we're doing windows on 3 sides, plus gable, roof and floor vents.

 

[Rob Tof]

One year ago I started as a noob with a reclaimed kids play house. It started with a 5 x 8 foot print. I call this now faze one. Actual coop size was 5 x 4 x 4 foot tall. I lasted 2 weeks ducking threw the door to clean feed and so on.

Faze 2.
Up and out. Making it easier to clean and feed.
Faze 3
Nest box and poop shelf.
Note if I was going to build nest boxes again I would build them lower.
Paint the coop.

Faze 4
After heavy rains roof almost collapsed in I need to make it safe for the girls. I look all over the internet and settle on a yurt inspired design. Guy in photos is not me he’s one of my dear friends I can count on.

Faze 5
I now want to increase my chicken #s to 20 from 8. All the work I did over the summer is for nothing my coop can’t handle 20 birds so now I’m facing a whole new coop build. I will be building a coop 12x16 for the girls.

 

[aart]

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!

A very good idea!!

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.

Ditto Dat^^^
But really @Rob Tof ....link your build thread or article instead of all the photobombing

I've killed about 3 trees worth of graph paper doodling designs, tossing in trash, start over...doodle...trash...doodle trash. lol

Better to modify design on paper than in lumber!!

 

[CrazedGirl]

Okay - after going back to the drawing board, I looked into woods open air coops. I live in Northern MD and our winters can vary to mild, or temps in the teens with wind chills below zero, and snow a few inches to several feet.

Living on a massive hill also means some enegering is required to keep it level.

Based off the weather here, would this design still be a viable option? The more I read about it the more I think yes; but, having opinions from those with experience is worth it! I was thinking about having it 8x8 instead of 6x10 and adding in an extra area for storage.

Editing to add- looks like the recommended size of a Woods Coop is 8x14. Someone come to my house and help me figure out where to put this because where I thought it could go, wont work.

 

[aart]

Based off the weather here, would this design still be a viable option?

One of the best examples of a Woods coop is @JackE's who is in Maryland.

 

[CrazedGirl]

Back again!

I reached out to one of the people we were looking to buy our coop from (who builds on the side and would deliver the coop) they are stating that their 7x10 coop could hold 30 birds (WHAT?!) How is that possible without them being crammed in like sardines?

Even if they aren’t packed like sardines, the 7 x 10 may actually be a good fit. I discussed adding more vents (which hubby said he would be able to do if the builder doesn’t)

“ I can not haul a 8x8 due to none of my trailers can haul that wide. An 8x8 will hold 28 birds. My 7 x10 (6x10 house) will hold 30. Have you looked at my FB page at my other style roofs..."A" frame (gable) or barn style? Both of those could have a loft built inside for storage or are you wanting to set cans inside on floor. I can build about anything you want. For ventilation concerns, I add ventilation at peaks on each end. You could add more Windows if desired. 7x10 comes with 4 Windows and two vent Windows over nest boxes”

What is also difficult is the fact that we are on a hill and the spot that we want to put the coop is still slanted but less so than anywhere else on the property. I’d rather have someone come out and build but that is going to cost more than just hauling it onto the property and placing it.. I think.

Am I making this more complicated than it needs to be? Lol

 

[JMotuzick]

I think his math is wrong... 7x10 is about right for 18 chickens. (17.5 really) and 8x8 is good for 16.

My coop is 12x8 right now we have 13 hens and one rooster. I feel this is to small! I know I’m short on venting. I’m planing on adding a new southern exposure covered run with vents into the run.

Really the biggest problem is this time of the year. We have about 10-12 inches of snow on the ground and it’s still cold. The chickens want to go out even in the cold but won’t get there feet wet. The smaller size is ok if they have access to a covers run 24x7. Then more space when your there to “babysit”.

My plan is a lot more venting (4x8 feet worth in the side wall) before next winter a secure 24/7 covered run. Both of these should help to keep the fights down.

As for your hilly area bring someone in with a back hoe bobcat etc. have them grade the area and bring in the proper gravel base. It might cost a bit more now, but it won’t be falling over in a few years like mine is right now! .... another project for this summer is to fix the lean.....


Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[rosemarythyme]

The builder is figuring about 2 sq ft per bird which might work for some people but 4 sq ft is generally the recommended minimum on here (especially in areas with cold/rainy climates where the birds may not want to come out of the coop at times).

For the 7x10, 4 windows + vents should be good as long as they aren't tiny, though if your husband is able to add more later (if needed) that's not a huge concern.

As far as your slope, depending on how sloped it is you can level the base using posts on concrete pads and beams to support the floor, or you can cut into the slope and use a retaining wall to create a stable flat area, though the coop builder probably won't do that for you, so you'll have to see about doing that yourself or hiring someone to help install the coop.

Yes it is a little complicated trying to decide on a coop (I redid my layout several times and then after all that, the company said they couldn't cost effectively do it as I had it, so I had to redo it again) but you'll be happier with the end result when you're putting this much work into it!