Question for the experienced folks

[NMbirds]

I am trying to decide between a fixed, permanent site coop and a movable one. I want a dozen or so chickens, space is not an issue but essentials are the usual, access to nestiing boxes from outside, predator proof (we have most of them) and place to store feed inside. Have ideas for ventilation, lighting, all the rest and have the materials. Will start building this winter for Spring (June) move in. I know each has its respective advantages/disadvantages but eager to know your thoughts and experiences. Thanks in advance!

 

[newchickmom]

I prefer a permenant coop. Mine is big enough to walk in (8 X 16) and has plenty of room for the girls even when they have to be shut in. I also have an atached run and allow free-ranging outsid the run when I am out there in the evenings.
I don't want to stand out in the cold or wet to collect eggs or feed and water them.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

I think the more chickens you want to house, the tougher it is to use a tractor, because of space requirements. If you have flat property and machinery to move a large tractor, you can go larger, easier. If you are moving one by hand, they work best for smaller numbers of chickens.

If you are talking a dozen or more, then I think a permanent coop and run might be a better way to go. It will also give you the storage area you're looking for.

 

[Anny]

my favorite idea is always the "pad lock" design a stationary coop with 2 or more "run" attached you rotate which run you allow the hens in. This allows you to grow a garden in one of the pad locks if you choose. Or allows you to keep grass in the run! I hope to do this if I ever move to larger piece of land.

 

[bills]

Anny's idea is a great one, and can work very well. The rotation of the runs around the coop, annually is ideal if you have the room to do it.

Since you are in the early planning stages, it would be simple for you to build a coop in a place in the yard where you can do this. Don't forget to add extra chicken doors on the sides where the rotational runs will be placed.

I like the added advantage of building a permanent coop, as you can put the extra effort into predator proofing it. Burying the hardware cloth, closing in the foundation area to prevent rats, etc..

JMHO

 

[scooter147]

I think in the long run you will be happier with a permenant coop.


The rotational run idea is a great one if you have the space and money to do so.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

If it is only a dz or so chickens I would go with permanent.
The only reason we have tractors is to separate the breeds to get more chicks and with all the land it makes it easy to put a tractor in different paddocks and pastures and let them free range from those. We have several permanent coops and that is much easier to deal with all together than the tractors.

 

[mikefromnh]

I have a six hens and went with a moveable coop on skids. It is heavier than I thought it would be but my small (22hp) tractor moves it without a problem. I like being able to move the girls when one area is gets too trampled. I plan to move it into my garden soon so that they can help fertilize and till

 

[silkiechicken]

I'd love a perminant coop for my layers but everyone is in a trctory style coop. The layers are in a 8x8x5, with removable 8x8x 5 trangle top so rain doesnt fallin anymore tractor that takes 3 to move. Meat birds though, I'd neve want to keep those in a perminant coop. Much eaiser to move those from garden spot to garden spot. However, I free range, so it doesn't always make that big of a difference. They are much earlier risers than the humans so do wear down the inside of the tractor before they are let out in th emorning.

 

[NMbirds]

Thanks for these observations, suggestions and thoughts, exactly what I was hoping for. I do have plenty of land so am now thinking about that permanent coop, predator proofed for sure and with rotating runs, maybe even free range when outside with them. I might design a coop with all four sides able to be used and rotate them according to the seasons.
And provide plenty of area for the run as well. Thanks again, good chicken people.