I am new to the site and having backyard chickens. The chicks are currently in the brooder, but it is time to start thinking about a coop. Only four of the chicks will get to stay with us due to city regulations, while the rest go to a family member's farm.
Where the coop and run will be located is on a slope. I have been looking at several coops on this site that are on a little built-up area and think we are going to go this route. This will allow us to level up the area prior to beginning the coop and run. At first I were thinking about just buying a pre-made coop due to my limited carpentry skills, but I can't find one that is like what I want. I found a 4'x8' pre-made coop locally for around $1000 after delivery. I would have to make several changes ~ add windows and take out the boxes they have in there because it is just three rows of nesting boxes up the wall~way too many for our little flock. After all the changes and building the run it was quickly becoming more expensive. I decided it was time to search for some plans to build.
I found the Purina coop plan thanks to this site. When I showed it to my husband he agreed that we could probably handle it since it doesn't look too complex. I'm going to be making a few modifications to the plan such as a window, double access doors with screened windows, moving the nesting box, adding a run, etc.
The four chicks that will be living in the coop are cochin bantams. I've read several things that states that you should plan four square feet per chicken. I'm debating if I should make the coop a little larger than the plan. I don't want the girls to feel crowded.
I just wanted to share my excitement ~ it is time to plan the coop!
For those of you who used the Purina coop plans ~ was it a difficult build?
Where the coop and run will be located is on a slope. I have been looking at several coops on this site that are on a little built-up area and think we are going to go this route. This will allow us to level up the area prior to beginning the coop and run. At first I were thinking about just buying a pre-made coop due to my limited carpentry skills, but I can't find one that is like what I want. I found a 4'x8' pre-made coop locally for around $1000 after delivery. I would have to make several changes ~ add windows and take out the boxes they have in there because it is just three rows of nesting boxes up the wall~way too many for our little flock. After all the changes and building the run it was quickly becoming more expensive. I decided it was time to search for some plans to build.
I found the Purina coop plan thanks to this site. When I showed it to my husband he agreed that we could probably handle it since it doesn't look too complex. I'm going to be making a few modifications to the plan such as a window, double access doors with screened windows, moving the nesting box, adding a run, etc.
The four chicks that will be living in the coop are cochin bantams. I've read several things that states that you should plan four square feet per chicken. I'm debating if I should make the coop a little larger than the plan. I don't want the girls to feel crowded.
I just wanted to share my excitement ~ it is time to plan the coop!
For those of you who used the Purina coop plans ~ was it a difficult build?
