Our big coop

[Micaelasaintlaurent]

We are in the process of re-designing our coop. We have 20 adult chickens with 15 new babies. Our coop, at first was huge, but now is fitting the family just right. It is still large enough that they definitely have all the space they need to sleep and not be near each other if they didn't want it. Insulated with also vents at the top since summer here is about 106 to 111. The coldest in winter is about 40s to 50. Thoughts about any changes? We are thinking about removing the nesting boxes on the side, we originally had two, but decided to build a set of 8 outside the coop. We took the roof off since we are moving it. Took about 900 to build from scratch with materials left over

 

[Spartan22]

How big is the coop? And do you free range? With your temps I'd put a lot of ventilations, windows for cross breeze. Definitely build the nests w/ outside access so it will not eat up sq footage inside. With 35 layers 8 nests should be plenty but depends on your coop size.

 

[Mahlzeit]

Coop looks nice. I agree though, you should add more ventilation. It's very important.

 

[Micaelasaintlaurent]

our birds are free-range, there is a grass field in front of the coop. It is vent really good actually, there are vents across the top. We have a temp recorder inside and it is about 70 inside when 100 plus outside. Our girls dont really go into it unless it is nighttime and I was thinking about removing the 2 nesting boxes for that reason. I thought about lowering it closer to the ground, but am not sure since it is a nice protection from the hawks.

 

[Micaelasaintlaurent]

How big is the coop? And do you free range? With your temps I'd put a lot of ventilations, windows for cross breeze. Definitely build the nests w/ outside access so it will not eat up sq footage inside. With 35 layers 8 nests should be plenty but depends on your coop size.

okay that is really good to know. That was our first model of coop. It measures about 8.5 feet long and 6 feet wide

 

[PetesChicks]

8.5x6 is only 51 square feet. The standard minimum requirements are 4 square feet per bird, you really should consider adding on to your coop. It does depend on how much time they will spend inside, and how much room they have outside, though. If they will spend much time inside besides roosting at night, you might run into problems.

 

[Micaelasaintlaurent]

8.5x6 is only 51 square feet. The standard minimum requirements are 4 square feet per bird, you really should consider adding on to your coop. It does depend on how much time they will spend inside, and how much room they have outside, though. If they will spend much time inside besides roosting at night, you might run into problems.

just remeasured since I was going off another measurement and it was actually 10 by 6.5 which I figure is still somewhat short. The man I guess decided to extend it and didn't follow his original plans. Do you think it will be okay if we just use it for our current hens? Our babies have their own coop. Our chickens are rarely inside their coop. That is why when we go out at night we figured it was too big because they just all go together in one section and leave this entire other half of the coop. We leave them outside the entire day, but leave the door open just in case they feel the need to run inside. We open the door at 630 am and close it at about 830 to 9pm. We dont have any issues with predators except for hawks.