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DobieLover said:
Either make the coop larger or make the run FULLY secured, attached to the coop and 'winterize-able'. Then you never have to close the pop door between the coop and run and they have A LOT more space:
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That is gorgeous!

I will be drafting up some plans soon (with the help of the coop section) and sure to post!
 
Meg-in-MT said:
Hello! Welcome to BYC!! :frow

I agree with @DobieLover and @sourland . Go bigger than you think you'll need. I would not size down based on 3'-4' recommendations, especially living somewhere that gets inclement weather. Covering and securing your run will make your winter life much easier. Good luck on your adventures!​
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Thank you!! Very excited and ready for some busy building weekends :)!!
 
jenemal said:
Thank you very much -- do those breeds tolerate the heat as well? I was thinking of starting with 4 or 5 but trying to permit for 6 to 8.
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@jenemal - good ventilation, shade and fresh water.... mine tolerate the heat but I make sure that they have those
 
Doublegi said:
5x8 is a very big coop for your birds. Keep in mind most large breeds only need 3-4 sq feet of coop space and about 10sq I’d run. That’s enough space for 10-13 chickens in the coop and 8 chickens in the run. For a max of 8 chickens a coop of 24-32 sq feet would be enough, so something like 5x5 or 5x6 would be fine.

If the coop is too big, they’ll have a harder time staying warm in the winter.
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I don’t think a coop can be too big:).... I live in Wisconsin, my previous coop was 8x12 shed and I had as few as 6 chickens in there, never more than 10. More space is beneficial during winter.... nothing worse than crowded birds that can’t or won’t go outside in foul weather and then get cranky and mean to each other. As long as they have dry, well ventilated shelter (but no draft) my chickens have done great. Never lost one due to weather or had frostbite issues. Our summers can be South Florida like but fortunately not for months and months....Personally I believe a minimum of four square feet in coop and 10 square feet in run per chicken is good. :) Just my experience/opinion for weather similar to Ohio
 
jenemal said:
Hello!

My name is Jen and I have been dying to get chickens for years and finally just bought my own home and now can actually get some! I am very new to chickens and have a couple of friends who raise them and suggested I check out this site for all of the chicken knowledge. I pretty much have been non stop reading and trying to soak up as much information as I can.

I am hoping to get some feathered family (primarily for eggs and pets) in the Spring of 2020 but would like to have everything all set and ready for them before the end of the summer so I can monitor and check coop temperatures/ conditions throughout our fall and winter (I live in Ohio).

Right now I work for The Ohio State University with my PhD in Biomedical Engineering but am also a professional cyclist. I have two rescue pups (an "Ohio Brown Dog" and an Old English Sheepdog) and am a huge animal lover. My other hobbies include painting and gardening.

I cannot wait to meet you all and am open to any and all chicken advice :)!
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Welcome aboard
 

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