Planning a new coop

[Dogginfox]

Im trying to work out the details before I start building a new coop. I think im going to go with a 12x15 or 15x15 size with a simple flat/slanted metal roof. I have a few questions.

Should I dig holes and cement 4x4s into the ground or would the pre made concrete supports work just as well?

I just bought some turkey poults and will need a door big enough for them. I doubt they will be able to fit through a 12x12. How big should it be?

I am thinking about getting 2 pygmy goats, how large of a door would they need if I wanted them to sleep with the chickens.

Is it preferable to have a raised floor or a dirt floor with hardware cloth around it?

Thats all I can think of for now,

Thanks

 

[MidnightChickenLover]

Hello,
I have heard that the pre made concrete works just as well. It depends on what type of turkeys you are getting. Pygmy goats are about the size of an average (medium) dog. I have Saanens which are about 1/3 of their size bigger ( they are massive goats) and they nicely fit in our homemade gate. I'll get the measurements for you tomarrow. I suggest dirt floor if you are going to use hardware cloth foor the ground, especialy with goats in there too. I'll PM you the measurements which should be ideal for turkeys (definetely if you received broad breasted) and your pygmy goats.

A few things that you may want to consider.
1. Vents
2. (If you are going to raise them for egg laying) Nest boxes that can be collected from the outside.
2. Closed run, they are good flyers, or just high fencing
3. Storage Area?
If goats can access area you may want the feed in a spot where they can't reach.. they will devower turkey feed!

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Is this going to have a raised floor, or will the floor be the ground (slab, dirt, pavers)? If a raised floor then I strongly suggest a pole building -- do not necessarily have to cement the posts in but they need to be sunk below frostline and tamped very securely. (You could in principle do a raised floor with the corners up on blocks, but it would have to be quite heavily engineered, to avoid needing any blocks partway or in the middle, which will never stay flat over time and will start pushign your structure apart)

If it's going to be floorless, just the ground as floor, (but make sure the roof is engineered for that wide a clear span...), then you might try getting away with blocks. I wouldn't though. Posts would be a surer bet for that size shed. Only disadvantage is if you would ever want to move the building.

I just bought some turkey poults and will need a door big enough for them. I doubt they will be able to fit through a 12x12. How big should it be?

What kind of turkeys? I have 14 wk old BBBs, and their pen door is 20-22" high which is plenty high enough. I think they'd be ok going through 18" or even 16" if they had to. You'd likewise want a bit more than a foot wide, for comfort and easy clearance. A 18wx24h door would be plenty big for most turkeys; or squinch down on that however much conscience dictates, if the larger door would be inconvenient.

Is it preferable to have a raised floor or a dirt floor with hardware cloth around it?

It's a tradeoff. Cheaper to build the dirt floor, a little harder to predatorproof (although you've got the main concept there

, but you won't have problems with rats or raccoons or skunks setting up shop underneath like you can sometimes with a raised floor. Dirt floor is more vulnerable to flood/mud, I wouldn't do it anywhere there is ANY question about staying dry 365 days of *every* year. Dirt floor is cooler in summer, and in winter although you have to bed it deeper than a wooden floor it will help keep the coop slightly warmer for at least the first half of the winter.

So, depends on your exact situation.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat​