Roosting layout for kennel coop

[Arnie_101]

Hello,

We've recently bought a plastic kennel to convert into a coop (we started out with a pre-fab which which is rather snug, as we'd have known if I'dhave joined here pre chicken ownership!) and are looking to fit in some roost bars.

The kennel is 30" deep by 32" wide (22" high before roof starts).

Based on this, wondering what experienced folk on here would recommend as a layout? Assume 2 bars would be maximum, and would be best to maybe do 8" from front and back with 14" between them? Potentially 12" off the floor?

We have 4 chickens at present- unsure if 2x 32" bars would enable future expansion to 6?

 

[DobieLover]

Hello,

We've recently bought a plastic kennel to convert into a coop (we started out with a pre-fab which which is rather snug, as we'd have known if I'dhave joined here pre chicken ownership!) and are looking to fit in some roost bars.

The kennel is 30" deep by 32" wide (22" high before roof starts).

Based on this, wondering what experienced folk on here would recommend as a layout? Assume 2 bars would be maximum, and would be best to maybe do 8" from front and back with 14" between them? Potentially 12" off the floor?

We have 4 chickens at present- unsure if 2x 32" bars would enable future expansion to 6?

You should have 24 sq FEET for 6 birds.
Can you post pictures of the kennel? I sounds like a dog crate. And it's still easy to small. And not predator proof.

 

[ChickyCh00k]

we started out with a pre-fab which which is rather snug, as we'd have known if I'dhave joined here pre chicken ownership!

How big was the prefab?! I can't imagine it was smaller than your kennel (unless it was not made for chickens).

30in x 32in is not big enough for 2 birds, let alone 4 - 6!

Like Dobie said, a dog kennel doesn't sound predator proof, and you'll need 24 square FEET of space for 6 birds (That's 4ft x 6ft, or 3ft x 8ft). 30" x 32" is about 6.5 sq. ft. - that's enough to humanely house 1 adult chicken. Can you post pics of your setup?

As for the roosts: The recommendation is 1 linear foot of roost space per bird (so 32in length could fit 2 - 3). If you're placing the roosts 12" from the ground and the kennel is 22" high, the birds have less than 10" of head space (when you figure in the thickness). How will they jump onto the roosts without smashing their heads?

 

[Arnie_101]

You should have 24 sq FEET for 6 birds.
Can you post pictures of the kennel? I sounds like a dog crate. And it's still easy to small. And not predator proof.

We have it ordered, but not picked-up yet. We can change size/order a bigger one if needed (sounds like it is). We had read comments from peple who had converted a similar size into a hen house, though again, sounds like they're underspacing. To clarify- this will be secured with hardware cloth (leftover from securing the wider undercover 6ft by 8ft area per earlier advice) and a door built into it. Any predator would need to get through/under the outer layer first too.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.

We can change size/order a bigger one if needed (sounds like it is).

One of my Rules of Thumb in re: chicken coops is that if it's measured in inches it's too small.

For 6 birds you need something at least 4 FEET by 6 FEET.

Also, a plastic kennel is exceedingly unlikely to have anything like the ventilation your birds will require. 6 birds need 6 square FEET of ventilation. Here's my article on the subject: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

Converting a shed or building a hoop coop is likely to be a better option than anything you can buy.

Shed Conversions

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-mulligan.74743/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-scoop-on-a-rubbermaid-big-max-coop.76444/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/toy-shed-conversion.64879/

Hoop Coops

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

 

[Arnie_101]

How big was the prefab?! I can't imagine it was smaller than your kennel (unless it was not made for chickens).

30in x 32in is not big enough for 2 birds, let alone 4 - 6!

Like Dobie said, a dog kennel doesn't sound predator proof, and you'll need 24 square FEET of space for 6 birds (That's 4ft x 6ft, or 3ft x 8ft). 30" x 32" is about 6.5 sq. ft. - that's enough to humanely house 1 adult chicken. Can you post pics of your setup?

As for the roosts: The recommendation is 1 linear foot of roost space per bird (so 32in length could fit 2 - 3). If you're placing the roosts 12" from the ground and the kennel is 22" high, the birds have less than 10" of head space (when you figure in the thickness). How will they jump onto the roosts without smashing their heads?

The kennel is 22" at the edge of the roof, ends about 12" higher. Moot given sounds we need a bigger building. My mistake was I assumed the area they'd sleep in was dependent on the roosting space per chicken, not the 4 sq foot, if it's part of a wider secure set-up.

 

[3KillerBs]

My mistake was I assumed the area they'd sleep in was dependent on the roosting space per chicken, not the 4 sq foot, if it's part of a wider secure set-up.

It can be confusing when you're in the learning stage. Here are the Usual Guidelines:

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

And here is an article explaining why those are *guidelines*, not hard and fast RULES. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

 

[Arnie_101]

Welcome to BYC. Where, in general, are you? Climate matters, especially when it comes to housing.



One of my Rules of Thumb in re: chicken coops is that if it's measured in inches it's too small.

For 6 birds you need something at least 4 FEET by 6 FEET.

Also, a plastic kennel is exceedingly unlikely to have anything like the ventilation your birds will require. 6 birds need 6 square FEET of ventilation. Here's my article on the subject: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

Converting a shed or building a hoop coop is likely to be a better option than anything you can buy.

Shed Conversions

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-mulligan.74743/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-coop-page.65912/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-scoop-on-a-rubbermaid-big-max-coop.76444/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/toy-shed-conversion.64879/

Hoop Coops

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-tractor.69336/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hoop-coop-brooder-with-roll-up-sides.75720/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-biddie-bordello-a-hoop-coop-run-combo.72189/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/permanent-hoop-coop-guide.47818/

Thanks for this- So we're UK based, and our set-up is similar to the hoop tractor picture (using 2x old plastic greenhouses). What we're trying to do is then create a more sheltered area purely for roosting at night with winter coming. Currently they roost on various perches, or in the prefab. We want to move to using the prefab for isolation etc. If needed.

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks for this- So we're UK based, and our set-up is similar to the hoop tractor picture (using 2x old plastic greenhouses). What we're trying to do is then create a more sheltered area purely for roosting at night with winter coming. Currently they roost on various perches, or in the prefab. We want to move to using the prefab for isolation etc. If needed.

Could you show us photos of your setup so we can better help you?

What kind of temperatures are you looking at for nighttime lows?

What kind of storm winds are you likely to get and from what directions relative to the current coop?

 

[Arnie_101]

Could you show us photos of your setup so we can better help you?

What kind of temperatures are you looking at for nighttime lows?

What kind of storm winds are you likely to get and from what directions relative to the current coop?

This is an old pic, pre hardware cloth upgrade. Plan was to install something back left to provide winter roosting. Temps go to around -5C at worst. Winds tend to come from left and back of the picture, so they're protected from brunt of it. They're allowed to roam the garden too.