Progress into coop

[LaceNewb]

I have been reading up on what everyone has been asking and the responses being given. I have embarked on owning chickens now with my son's girlfriend. We together have 18 chicks. They are in a huge trampoline box with food, water, and a heat lamp while I am building their coop. I want to make sure where I do not have it finished yet that I make any adjustments now before the roof goes on. I have build 18 nesting boxes which I was under the impression this is where they sleep but now I have learned that this is ONLY for egg laying. I will be making adjustments to the coop so that I can block these off while they are still chicks once they get transferred to this. It is 8ft long and 4 ft wide. 12 nests (2 stories) on the main back wall and 6 (2 stories) on one small side wall. I will be putting perches inside the coop after learning this is where they actually sleep. I have 2 chicks now that are able to "fly" out of the box so I'm trying to make all the finishing touches to the coop. Where I live it is still not above 65 degrees so I'm guessing that the heat lamp will need to be put in the coop with them as they adjust to the coop for a couple weeks. I will keep the nesting boxes closed off till they are laying eggs and remove the heat lamp once either majority of feathers are grown in or the weather permits. If all of this sounds like I'm in the right direction please let me know and if I need to tweek some things please also let me know. I want happy healthy chickens. What do I need to put in the nesting boxes for them to lay eggs in/on and what time do I block and remove the blocks for them to lay eggs. How much space do the chickens like between them and another on the perch, how far away from walls do the perches need to be? I guess I am just looking for some guidance to where I am not in this process and to where I'm going and end up for these ladies to be happy.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Photos of build? I'd really consider eliminating some of those boxes, especially if any of them they eat up valuable floor space. You only need 1 box for every 3-4 birds.

Are all the chicks going in this coop or your son's GF taking some with her?

Rather than put the heat lamp inside it'd be better to wean them off heat in the brooder, then move them to the coop. No reason to risk burning down the new coop!

For the nests, fake eggs will show them where to lay, and you'll want to put in some padding to prevent breakage. I use a folded feed bag topped with wood shavings. I have never had to block my nests though, I've never had an issue with chicks sleeping in them. You can use plywood or cardboard to block them off if needed, and can keep them blocked until around week 14, 15 or so, to give the birds time to explore them before onset of laying.

Roosts should be at least 12" from wall, 14-16" away from another roost, and offer 12" linear space per standard size bird.

 

[3KillerBs]

The usual guidelines are to have 1 linear foot of roost per adult, standard-sized hen.

Sometimes it's good to have two separate roosts or an L-shaped roost so that lower-status hens can be separate from the dominant hens.

 

[aart]

Some good info given above.

Where I live it is still not above 65 degrees so I'm guessing that the heat lamp will need to be put in the coop with them as they adjust to the coop for a couple weeks.

Heat lamps are very dangerous in a coop.
Pics of what you've got built would help immensely here.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @LaceNewb
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Windrider]

It sounds like you are planning to have ALL 18 chickens living in this 4 x 8 foot coop, right? That's going to be mighty crowded! I think aart is right (6-8 chickens) unless they are going to have a big, secure and weather protected run attached. You get at least some snowy days, right?

Those are beautifully made nest boxes, but I agree that the chickens will need the floor space rather than all the boxes. I think I'd keep the set of six that you have on the small wall and take all the ones on the long wall out.

That will give you room for two roosts running the length of the coop, one on either side. Maybe you can get them a bit higher than the top set of nest boxes, but not much, to help alleviate roosting in the nest boxes (to avoid poopy eggs in the future). Most people use a 2x4 roost, either side up, depending on preference.

Now, I have bantams, and they would absolutely try to roost on those beams you have supporting the monitor. Not a lot of headroom there for full sized girls, but mine would cram themselves up there.

 

[3KillerBs]

I feel I need more nesting boxes bc in feel like they are going to start laying eggs in the yard or something bc not all will have a spot to lay off all the boxes are being used. I guess I don't understand how the laying process goes but as you can see I will be putting roosts thought the entire thing now.

The usual recommendation is 1 nestbox for ever 4-5 hens.

I have 2 boxes for 5 hens and while there is sometimes a line for the favored box I haven't had a floor egg since the last-to-lay pullet stopped being surprised by her egg.

 

[aart]

How big are those nests?
They should minimum 12x12x12".

You only need 1 nest for every 3-4 birds.
With a 4x8' foot print in your coop = about 6 birds = about 3 nests.

 

[aart]

I think I'd keep the set of six that you have on the small wall and take all the ones on the long wall out.

OhGeez, I didn't even notice those!
Good Eye...and good suggestion.

 

[LaceNewb]

Thank you all for everything that is being talked about. Ok so I have removed all the nesting boxes along the long wall as you can see, and I left the 6 on the small wall. I am putting this whole thing on a tabletop like stand to give them a nice shady area with dirt for dirt bathing and then I am going to have a huge enclosed run with grass surrounding this all. I feel I need more nesting boxes bc in feel like they are going to start laying eggs in the yard or something bc not all will have a spot to lay off all the boxes are being used. I guess I don't understand how the laying process goes but as you can see I will be putting roosts thought the entire thing now.

 

[LaceNewb]

The usual recommendation is 1 nestbox for ever 4-5 hens.

I have 2 boxes for 5 hens and while there is sometimes a line for the favored box I haven't had a floor egg since the last-to-lay pullet stopped being surprised by her egg.

So the chickens really just lay in the nest, lay their egg, and then leave it? The 6 boxes that I do have is actually more then need still lol