Please allow me to introduce myself

[paul777]

My name is Paul and I'm going to build a chicken coop for a friend. I joined BYC to glean information about design and space requirements etc for the coop. I'm on the fence about building one for myself so my friend with get version 1 if all goes well I'll get the upgrade.

Thank you BYC and members all for the information you've already posted. It is much appreciated.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Welcome to BYC, Paul!

 

[Island Coppers]

So, you get a practice run on building a coop. It's just the sort of thing that will benefit greatly from a bit of experience. Lucky you.

Welcome to BYC Paul.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello Paul, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

The rough numbers:
4 sq ft floor space, 1 linear foot roost space, and as close to 1 sq ft of PERMANENTLY open ventilation per bird plus 1 nest box per 4-5 hens in the coop.

15 sq ft of space in the run if they aren't free ranging or enclosed in a large pen.

Walk-in is always better.
Poop boards are the stuff of gods.
Keep roosts 1 ft away from the walls and each other horizontally to minimize poop splatter on the walls and bombing chickens roosted nearby. I can be hard to get poop out of feathers.

Chickens are viscous little raptors particularly at roost time so if all the roosts are at the same level, there is one less thing to fight over.
Lots of windows that hinge top and are backed with 1/2" hardware cloth so they can be suspended open during rain without worry of water infiltration into the coop.

There should be no opening greater than 1/2" anywhere in the secured coop when locked down. All ventilation needs to be secured with 1/2" hardware cloth too.

 

[AGeese]

My name is Paul and I'm going to build a chicken coop for a friend. I joined BYC to glean information about design and space requirements etc for the coop. I'm on the fence about building one for myself so my friend with get version 1 if all goes well I'll get the upgrade.

Thank you BYC and members all for the information you've already posted. It is much appreciated.

Good to hear someone is starting with the coop first rather than the chickens, welcome aboard!

 

[User690263]

Welcome to BYC! Feel free to make yourself right at home

 

[N F C]

Hi Paul, good luck with the coop (or coops!) build. @DobieLover has provided some great tips. If you'd like to read how other members have built their coops, you can find them here: Coop Articles

Make yourself at home, keep us posted on how the build goes!

 

[TOMTE]

Welcome Paul!! I hope you have fun building!

I wish I had enough room in our prefab coop to add poop boards like @DobieLover mentioned... And to have the roosts farther from the walls and nest box. Poop splatter is so real

 

[paul777]

Hello Paul, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

The rough numbers:
4 sq ft floor space, 1 linear foot roost space, and as close to 1 sq ft of PERMANENTLY open ventilation per bird plus 1 nest box per 4-5 hens in the coop.

15 sq ft of space in the run if they aren't free ranging or enclosed in a large pen.

Walk-in is always better.
Poop boards are the stuff of gods.
Keep roosts 1 ft away from the walls and each other horizontally to minimize poop splatter on the walls and bombing chickens roosted nearby. I can be hard to get poop out of feathers.

Chickens are viscous little raptors particularly at roost time so if all the roosts are at the same level, there is one less thing to fight over.
Lots of windows that hinge top and are backed with 1/2" hardware cloth so they can be suspended open during rain without worry of water infiltration into the coop.

There should be no opening greater than 1/2" anywhere in the secured coop when locked down. All ventilation needs to be secured with 1/2" hardware cloth too.

Awesome info and so concise. Thank you.

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC, Paul!