Size of new coop questions

[JULIE L CORWIN]

I figured that the new coop I wanted would be 8 by 8. My husband is going to build a 16 by 12.
The front would have 4 feet for supplies. So the actual coop for the chickens would be 12 by 12. I plan to put heat lamps in plus windows of course waterers and feeders. WE would have 20 chickens.
So how many windows with screens in them would be a good match. Possibly either sky lights or something like a window. with screen in the roof for air transfer. How many heat lamps for winter. For 20 chickens how many feeding stations and water troughs and of course how many beds for 20 chickens The floor will be cement. This coop would be on the north side of the property. We get a strong
south wind in spring and summer. Also a strong north wind in winter. Don't want to under do it for air transfer. I need ideas. As you can tell I'm excited when my husband told me his idea. Thank you for your time

 

[WesleyBeal]

Knowing your location would help, as would the breeds of chickens.

I'd recommend forgetting about the heat lamps. Just risk of fire, without much benefit to the chickens.

I get by with 1 feeder and 1 waterer, both hanging tube style, and both large; 5 gallon waterer, and I think a 40 lb feeder. The large size was not to be able to store more feed or water, but to be large enough that multiple chickens could be using them at the same time.

I kept 26 chickens this past winter with that set up.

Personally I aim for 12 inches of roosting space per bird. Less in the winter, more in the summer.

 

[JULIE L CORWIN]

I live in Marion Ohio. Actually in the country. Close to a small town called Waldo. About 45 minuits north of Columbus Ohio. A small hobby farm with about a little more than 4 acers. I plan on all females. With a mix of chicken breeds this time. For the last 2 times have raised Golden Buffs.. Want to try something new this time. So how many nest would you advise for 20 chickens?

 

[WesleyBeal]

I live in Marion Ohio. Actually in the country. Close to a small town called Waldo. About 45 minuits north of Columbus Ohio. A small hobby farm with about a little more than 4 acers. I plan on all females. With a mix of chicken breeds this time. For the last 2 times have raised Golden Buffs.. Want to try something new this time. So how many nest would you advise for 20 chickens?

There's a rule of thumb - sorta more of an answer to a question that gets asked a lot so people can stop trying to legitimize one answer over another - of I think 1 nest for every 3 or 4 hens.

I've got 6 nests set up for mine, as it seemed to take up about the right amount of space in my coop.

I've been told I could get away with 2. I wouldn't try less than I've got, though. While they do all decide that some nests are "favorites," I still get eggs in all of mine. And the more eggs in a nest, I figure the more chances of eggs getting broken as they get in and out. Several times I've observed hens waiting impatiently for a nest to open up 'cause the 6 are all occupied.

Suppose it's largely a matter of your coop, and what will fit in the location inside the coop that makes the most sense for the nests.

Your winters don't get any colder than mine do. I don't think you need to supplement the heat any. So long as they can roost in an area out of the wind, they should be fine. More important to keep the coop very ventilated and dry than it is to keep it warm. Warmth can make it harder to keep dry, as warmer air hold more moisture, which slows down drying. The exception would be if you were raising breeds that are not fit for anything but warm climates. I haven't got any experience with those breeds.