post your chicken coop pictures here!

[TJordan]

Not sure yet. I would like a sand bottom. Mix in some sweet pdz for Oder control and just cat litter scoop it. I've been reading that a sand bottom is good. Hay or pine straw in nest boxes.
I figure it will be pine shavings though. Cost wise. I think a v cover over the vent might keep it clear. Make it removable for cleanup.
Still working out those details

 

[Hummer-Derek]

Bought this on ebay for 160. Figured I would spend at least that much building one myself. No real directions to assemble but if you are handy shouldn't be a problem. It looks like it could hold up to 5.

 

[junebuggena]

Bought this on ebay for 160. Figured I would spend at least that much building one myself. No real directions to assemble but if you are handy shouldn't be a problem. It looks like it could hold up to 5.

2 or 3 at most, 5 if bantams. Needs more ventilation and roost bars should be elevated off the ground level.

 

[MelissaNY]

New to chickens in Upstate NY, and don't have any yet. I just ordered this to be used as our coop,(different colors, so being built for April delivery). 2 windows on front, one on either side. 2 ident I called doors for light,b one front, one back, and chicken door being put under front window on the porch. Our game Pl Lan is to insulate, fiberglass board the inside with linoleum floor for ease of cleaning. Nesting boxes, 6 planned made of plastic totes to be removable and washable, roost bars over a pan, to also be removable etc. There are vents at the top, as well as aling v the center roof line. Thoughts? Suggestions? It is 12x22, to house 18 hens. It will have a large outdoor run, and the whole thing will sit inside a large 6ft stockade fence as extra predator protection when we are not home. We plan on free range when we are home.

 

[Hummer-Derek]

I have 3 Americana in there. Seems like alot of room in the coop for them. I will work on the ventilation. The four roosting bars are off of ground level in the coop area. Should they be higher? Not sure I understand?

 

[MelissaNY]

New to chickens in Upstate NY, and don't have any yet. I just ordered this to be used as our coop,(different colors, so being built for April delivery). 2 windows on front, one on either side. 2 ident I called doors for light,b one front, one back, and chicken door being put under front window on the porch. Our game Pl Lan is to insulate, fiberglass board the inside with linoleum floor for ease of cleaning. Nesting boxes, 6 planned made of plastic totes to be removable and washable, roost bars over a pan, to also be removable etc. There are vents at the top, as well as aling v the center roof line. Thoughts? Suggestions? It is 12x22, to house 18 hens. It will have a large outdoor run, and the whole thing will sit inside a large 6ft stockade fence as extra predator protection when we are not home. We plan on free range when we are not home.

And of course. I can't get image from phone to load. Argh

 

[MelissaNY]

 

[junebuggena]

I have 3 Americana in there. Seems like alot of room in the coop for them. I will work on the ventilation. The four roosting bars are off of ground level in the coop area. Should they be higher? Not sure I understand?

If the roosting bars are the same level as the nest boxes, there maybe issues with them sleeping in the nest boxes instead of the roosts. That means lots of poo covered eggs. With prefab coops like that, the roost bars are usually just above the floor. There is little actual floor space, and they have to climb over the roosts to get to the nests. The roost bars are also frequently not appropriately sized for full-sized adult birds. Roosts should be at least 3 to four inches wide, and at least 6 inches above the nest boxes. Venting should be at least a foot above roosting level. With small, prefab coops, these measurements can be an impossibility. Which is why most of us here advise new keepers to steer clear of them. You can usually build something bigger, better, and longer lasting for the money.
Also, the run portion is much too small. You need a minimum of 10 sq ft per bird, when it comes to run space.

 

[junebuggena]

You'll need to add a lot more ventilation. Chickens need a lot more ventilation than typical shed/house structures provide. Don't bother insulating, it would be completely pointless if adequate ventilation is provided.

 

[MelissaNY]

You'll need to add a lot more ventilation. Chickens need a lot more ventilation than typical shed/house structures provide. Don't bother insulating, it would be completely pointless if adequate ventilation is provided. 

More ventilation? There are the 2 wall vents front and back, as well as a roof vent under the tin roof that runs the full 22ft, and 4 windows. How much more would be suggested? Ultimately it gives the 18 birds just under 15sq feet per bird, so I was thinking the low population vs the high Sq footage, would be adequate..how much more would you folks put?