Prince T Woods Coop build with additional run?

[UnderThreeAcres]

A carpenter buddy is coming over today to help us plan our coop.

We just moved to Central Alberta where we get lots of snow and temps down to -45C (at least a few times each winter) and we get Chinooks. The temps often fluctuate from the negative to positive in under 24hrs. (Eg. -25C one day and 5C the next)

I think we've decided to build a 10x16 Prince Woods Open Air coop. We are a family of 10 and eat a lot of eggs. We figure we will need 30-40 hens to meet our needs at least until our 18 & 20yr Olds move out.

We have never had chickens before, so we are complete newbies. I have done a lot of research, but nothing beats 1st hand experience.

Is an open air coop a good idea for our weather? Does it need a run?

We have eagles, hawks, owls and foxes in the hood. We have sighted all of the above, so free ranging may be out of the question. We have a LGD puppy, but I am not sure if she will ward off predators from the sky.

Has anyone built a Prince Woods Coop with a run?

Any advice and suggestions is welcome. We want to build something that lasts and looks appealing. I want to avoid newbie mistakes because it's going to cost quite a bit to build. Our buddy can build anything, but has no idea about chickens.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Are you able to have a rooster? Roosters will help watch for areal attacks and warn the ladies to get into the coop when he spots something.

 

[UnderThreeAcres]

Are you able to have a rooster? Roosters will help watch for areal attacks and warn the ladies to get into the coop when he spots something.

Yes. We live in the country and its allowed.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Yes. We live in the country and its allowed.

When I first started a flock, I swore I would never get a rooster. Then a couple years later a rooster needed rehome so I though I would adopt him. I will now always have a rooster! When you get chicks, I would recommend keeping a rooster if one is in the bunch, he will do a lot of protecting of his ladies.

 

[aart]

Is an open air coop a good idea for our weather? Does it need a run?

Yes!!
Probably a good idea....especially in the dead of winter.
I wouldn't count on a cock/erel for protection.

@Ted Brown can advise you on both.
...and probably share a good link to a cleaned up version of the plans.

Central Alberta

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[Ted Brown]

Welcome to BYC! Especially with an interest In a full size Woods KD.

I have one, follow my "My Coop" link for a build pictorial.

I am also well advanced on building an adjacent covered run (~12'+ by 15'+), see here

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/expanded-run-build.1427582/

I live on the Quebec-Ontario border near Shawville; avg winter temp is -15C, periods of -25C to -30C up to a week normal; healthy snow fall.

 

[Ted Brown]

@dingleberryfarm

"...
We just moved to Central Alberta where we get lots of snow and temps down to -45C (at least a few times each winter) and we get Chinooks. The temps often fluctuate from the negative to positive in under 24hrs. (Eg. -25C one day and 5C the next)

I think we've decided to build a 10x16 Prince Woods Open Air coop. ...

We have never had chickens before, so we are complete newbies. I have done a lot of research, but nothing beats 1st hand experience.

• I was a newbie in August 2019 when I started the build after more than a year of research/think.

Is an open air coop a good idea for our weather?

• a Woods KD is brilliant for Canadian winters/summers.

Does it need a run?

• Yes you need a run:
  • Depends on number of birds; for anything other than very few you need a run.
• I originally raised my 10' by 16' Woods three feet in the air, used the space underneath as a run for a year.
• Now adding adjacent 12' by 15' covered run.

Happy to discuss anything about my rationales and build experiences.

Ted

 

[UnderThreeAcres]

Thanks @Ted Brown! We are excited to begin our adventures with chickens and I have been researching a lot and feel like the 10x16 Woods KD is a great place to start.

Would you suggest that we build ours 3ft off the ground to start off? Or just build an adjacent run? Your thoughts and experience is welcome.

 

[Ted Brown]

...Would you suggest that we build ours 3ft off the ground to start off? Or just build an adjacent run? Your thoughts and experience is welcome.

In your case assuming, near term 30-40 flock size , put the coop on ground or concrete deck blocks and build an attached run asap. Use 10 square feet per bird so 400 square feet to calculate run size.

I am shifting from "free range" to a "contained" roofed coop/run space;

• motivation is bio-security
• recent Northern Fowl mite infestation experience
• easier to prevent infestations/critters in a controlled space

 

[UnderThreeAcres]

Those are great points. This is important to consider when we are looking at the placement of the coop.