Size of coop?

[callen0912]

So wherever I decide to place them they should right at ground level so to speak then. That answers my question! Would you recommend having enough boxes for each hen to have their own? I've read conflicting info on this as well; I've seen 1 box per bird, then I've seen 1 box/3-4 birds. This is the coop I'm wanting to build. Well attempt to build anyway lol.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/jonny-anvils-chicken-coop

 

[dheltzel]

So wherever I decide to place them they should right at ground level so to speak then. That answers my question! Would you recommend having enough boxes for each hen to have their own? I've read conflicting info on this as well; I've seen 1 box per bird, then I've seen 1 box/3-4 birds.

I figure on 4 hens per box, but they still all want to use the same one, so I think you could go with one box for 20 hens and it would work. Or maybe without a choice, they would lay on the floor.

I keep the nest boxes well below the height of the roosts, though young hens often use the boxes to sleep because they aren't comfortable flying up high (4 ft) to the roosts. Most will use a "training roost" at a lower height, but some still like the boxes.

 

[callen0912]

...

I figure on 4 hens per box, but they still all want to use the same one, so I think you could go with one box for 20 hens and it would work. Or maybe without a choice, they would lay on the floor.

I keep the nest boxes well below the height of the roosts, though young hens often use the boxes to sleep because they aren't comfortable flying up high (4 ft) to the roosts. Most will use a "training roost" at a lower height, but some still like the boxes.
The coop I'm wanting to attempt is a 4x8 size, would that hold about 8 hens? Or is 8 stretching it? If 8 is an ok number for a 4x8 coop, would having 4 nest boxes be ok to have in the coop then?

 

[dheltzel]

Quote:
I would think that is plenty, you might get by with just 2.
Read about "poop boards" under the roosts (search here on BYC) they are really helpful in reducing maintenance. I put the nest boxes under the poop boards, that's why I don't need a roof on the top nest.

 

[callen0912]

I would think that is plenty, you might get by with just 2.
Read about "poop boards" under the roosts (search here on BYC) they are really helpful in reducing maintenance. I put the nest boxes under the poop boards, that's why I don't need a roof on the top nest.

Depending on what materials I can get my hands on (I'm hoping to find something that's reusable to cut down on costs) I may end up down sizing, maybe to a 4x4 coop. That would probably bring my numbers down to about 6 hens wouldn't it?

 

[Concrete101]

If you have a ReStore near by check it out. I got over the stove cabinet for a nest box for $5. Works great for 8 hens. They also discount lumber.

 

[21hens-incharge]

Depending on what materials I can get my hands on (I'm hoping to find something that's reusable to cut down on costs) I may end up down sizing, maybe to a 4x4 coop. That would probably bring my numbers down to about 6 hens wouldn't it?

I had a 4x4 for a grow out coop. I had trouble fitting feed and water in the coop. I could only get one 4 foot long roost so that limited the hens it could hold as well. If you do not want fighting then I would go with a larger space. It stinks when you realize you need more space but do not have it and have invested in something that ends up being to small.

If you can get some pallets you could use 2 for the base and make a coop about 4x8. I forget what the standard pallet size is but I know it is just under 4x4.
There are a lot of creative ways folks have used reclaimed pallets and made pretty cool coops out of them.



edited to add what I ended up doing for a feeder in the 4x4 coop I had.




As you can see it is really quite small inside. I could only keep 3 full size hens in it as adults. The hen entering is only 10 weeks old in this pic and is only half way up the ramp.