Planning Stages of my Coop

[SkyStorm]

I just got some baby chicks and I am planning out there coop. By the time I finish it will probably be time for them to go in it. I had a few questions about the coop.

Would they go to the bathroom in there nesting boxes?
Should I make back opening doors on the nesting boxes to get there eggs and clean it out or could I just do it from inside the coop?
Do you have like wire bottoms of the coop so you can clean out like a bottom tray or will they even go to the bathroom in there "home"?
Should I make more then 5 nestboxes (I have 5 chickens) or should I not make more then they need?
How tall should the actual coop be? I kind of wan't to make it walk in but I am not sure.

Thankyou!

 

[SkyStorm]

suggestions?

 

[QuackerOats]

I would at least make the run a walk in for easy cleaning. I can't imagine it being fun to hunch down in a 4' run to clean.

5 chickens would probably do with 2 nesting boxes. ( I think. ) they won't all be in there at once and from what I read on here, chickens tend to all use the same one anyway!

 

[newchicksnducks]

There are as many coop designs as there are people...take a look at the coop section for lots of great ideas. I personally prefer a tall coop that I can go inside to clean and check on the birds. My coop is 8x8 and about 8' at the peak. For the original 15 pullets, we have 4 boxes. The suggest number is one box for every 4 birds. They often like to lay in a box that already has an egg in it, so the share the boxes My nest boxes do not have an external door. I just go inside the coop to collect the eggs. I use this time inside to check out the feed and water, droppings board, etc and generally check up on my girls. Make a roost for them to sleep on - 2x4 with the 4" side flat makes a great roost. They often like to sit flat footed when sleeping instead of trying to grip a branch. Plus if you live in a cold climate the flat surface allows them to fluff their feathers over their toes, discouraging frost bite. Make the roost higher than the nest boxes, to discourage sleeping in the boxes - this will help keep the poo out of the boxes. I have a plywood floor that is painted w/gloss paint. It then has 4-6" of shavings on top. Yes, they poo in the coop. Using a droppings board under the roost will eliminate the need to clean the coop floor as often. Just scoop the poop off the board daily or every couple days and fluff the shavings with a rake. Do a little research on this site and get some books from the library, store, etc. BYC has a great one for sale too!