Planning an 8x8 Coop

[Brooke215]

I'm planning a coop and wanted to start a thread for input and documenting my progress. I'm thinking of housing for up to 16 chickens. I want to work with these dimensions because plywood comes in 8 foot sections.

Coop: 8X8
Run:8X16

I'm in the very early stages of planning. I don't really have any particular restrictions since it'll be on our land out in the country. I plan to use hardware cloth instead of chicken wire because we do have predators to be concerned about.

Here's what I have so far.

 

[Welshies]

Don't forget your roosts, ventilation, nest boxes, and chicken door Good luck!
Also, an 8x8 coop is big. Which is good, but it likely means you'll be later getting more chickens. Make your run bigger than you think you need. 10-20sq ft of space per bird. You can house up to 16 to 20 chickens in that space, but I really suggest you make it even larger because chicken math. Your run is a good size but only for 16 chickens.

 

[Alaskan]

I would have a double perch poop tray on each side the entire length of the coop and put the brooder underneath one and nest boxes under the other.

I would roof the run, and set up a sheltered location in the run for the feed and water.

Make the run larger.

I can't tell how much ventilation you have, but where you are I think the summers get hot... so I would try to make the wall that adjoins the run as much wire as possible (roofed run means no rain will blow in), then a wire window that you can close in storms on a different wall.

 

[Mr Pink]

My coop is an 8x8 old utility shed { got it free ) we refurbished ... I added outside collect nest boxes and chicken access door ( automatic )and a window , have 18 birds and it's a good fit ... Our run is a good bit bigger

 

[Welshies]

My coop is an 8x8 old utility shed { got it free ) we refurbished ... I added outside collect nest boxes and chicken access door ( automatic )and a window , have 18 birds and it's a good fit ... Our run is a good bit bigger View attachment 1224049 View attachment 1224050

Beautiful!
I have a 6x8 coop and my run is 450 square feet. Even then, my 14 birds need expansion... they love foraging. Yes, it is more than "big enough" by "10 sq ft" standards, but my birds are demanding more, because they flatten it down so quick and run out of forage.

 

[junebuggena]

My coop is an 8x8 old utility shed { got it free ) we refurbished ... I added outside collect nest boxes and chicken access door ( automatic )and a window , have 18 birds and it's a good fit ... Our run is a good bit bigger View attachment 1224049 View attachment 1224050

What did you do for ventilation?

 

[Mr Pink]

My run is 24 x 36 deep litter so my birds have plenty of outside room

 

[Welshies]

Personally, I think there is no such thing as "too big" with a run. I am only limited by fencing supplies, that's all!

 

[Mr Pink]

What did you do for ventilation?

I have ventilation holes cut in both peek ends ... I hadn't done that yet when those pics were taken

 

[Mr Pink]

Personally, I think there is no such thing as "too big" with a run. I am only limited by fencing supplies, that's all!

I'd say the same except for the size I made mine is just right for the amount of deep litter I want done at any one time