Starting my coop tomorrow!

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Welcome to BYC!
You'll want to make your coop area twice the size you think you need (make it for 8 chickens instead of four) because chicken math! You will want more chickens.
Here are some things that might help!
  • 4 square feet per chicken inside the coop
  • 10 square feet per chicken in the run
  • Use hardware cloth or welded wire fence, not chicken wire
  • 10" of roost space per bird
  • Lots of ventilation- if you live where winters get cold, make lots of it openable and closable.
  • Post pictures!
  • 1 nest box for 5-8 hens
  • Have fun!
Best of luck!! :)
 
I would like to THANK YOU for posting your location!!! Hopefully you will document your progress in building your coop. It is always entertaining and educational to see what others are doing. Ask questions, you will get a ton of opinions that will guide you along the path to enjoying chicken time. Your kids will love this. Good luck, BB
 
Thanks for all the support!

I am a prolific picture taker- I am sure you will see far more than you would like (even for the chicken fans).

I am going to modify one of the highly rated plans here on BYC. I've been reading up, and I have a good friend with chicken knowledge.

I hope to be able to update you through the weekend...it is a 3 day weekend for me, and I would love to make some progress. But first I need to remove a garden bed which has 3 yards of soil...and that is step 1.

I really do appreciate all of the info and guidelines. I will post progress pics and hopefully get feedback along the way.

I have included a photo (taken from this website) of the coop I want to emulate.

Unlike many of you who are talking about the cold...my biggest problem will be heat. I'm thinking about covering the western side with redwood lattice, in order to provide more shade.

Unfortunately 4 x 10 is about the largest I can go right now. Most of my yard is 'decorative' (and I like it that way!) so in my garden is the best spot. And as much as I think I will like chickens...I also LOVE my tomatoes, cantaloupe, basil, etc.

Oh! And there is a fig tree that is right next to the coop location. I'm hoping it will be fine for the chickens to eat the figs that fall?!!?

Thanks again-
 

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KarlK said:
Thanks for all the support!

I am a prolific picture taker- I am sure you will see far more than you would like (even for the chicken fans).

I am going to modify one of the highly rated plans here on BYC. I've been reading up, and I have a good friend with chicken knowledge.

I hope to be able to update you through the weekend...it is a 3 day weekend for me, and I would love to make some progress. But first I need to remove a garden bed which has 3 yards of soil...and that is step 1.

I really do appreciate all of the info and guidelines. I will post progress pics and hopefully get feedback along the way.

I have included a photo (taken from this website) of the coop I want to emulate.

Unlike many of you who are talking about the cold...my biggest problem will be heat. I'm thinking about covering the western side with redwood lattice, in order to provide more shade.

Unfortunately 4 x 10 is about the largest I can go right now. Most of my yard is 'decorative' (and I like it that way!) so in my garden is the best spot. And as much as I think I will like chickens...I also LOVE my tomatoes, cantaloupe, basil, etc.

Oh! And there is a fig tree that is right next to the coop location. I'm hoping it will be fine for the chickens to eat the figs that fall?!!?

Thanks again-
Click to expand...
We love pictures! I am so excited to see your progress!
Heat can be a big problem with chickens. If you have really hot summers, a large-combed chicken breed will thrive. Remember- lots of ventilation!
I am not sure about figs, but I know that tree will provide much needed shade!
 
Welcome to BYC!
As a very open community, we will be very glad to help you. You seem like you have many different types of animals, and that's great! People assume that this is a chicken-only website because of its name, but lots of us specialize in ducks, quail, and lots of other poultry! I am sure that there will be others willing to talk about other animals too. You must be really excited to have chickens.
Chickens are amazing, incredible, and smart creatures. Your kids will love to play with them too! Be sure to post many pictures of your coop and chickens and other animals in the future, I would love to see them!
:welcome

Welcome to BYC,
Lauren
 
KarlK said:
Thanks for all the support!

I am a prolific picture taker- I am sure you will see far more than you would like (even for the chicken fans).

I am going to modify one of the highly rated plans here on BYC. I've been reading up, and I have a good friend with chicken knowledge.

I hope to be able to update you through the weekend...it is a 3 day weekend for me, and I would love to make some progress. But first I need to remove a garden bed which has 3 yards of soil...and that is step 1.

I really do appreciate all of the info and guidelines. I will post progress pics and hopefully get feedback along the way.

I have included a photo (taken from this website) of the coop I want to emulate.

Unlike many of you who are talking about the cold...my biggest problem will be heat. I'm thinking about covering the western side with redwood lattice, in order to provide more shade.

Unfortunately 4 x 10 is about the largest I can go right now. Most of my yard is 'decorative' (and I like it that way!) so in my garden is the best spot. And as much as I think I will like chickens...I also LOVE my tomatoes, cantaloupe, basil, etc.

Oh! And there is a fig tree that is right next to the coop location. I'm hoping it will be fine for the chickens to eat the figs that fall?!!?

Thanks again-
Click to expand...
OK, Proceed!
:pop

It is chilly now, but I'll be with you soon, Texas never stays cold for long...
 
KarlK said:
Hello All-

I've been wanting to jump in to the world of chickens for a looong time. I am finally starting tomorrow!

I've been a gardener for many years, and I've had rabbits, cats, dogs, fish, etc. My kids (6, 6, 9) are in 4H, but this chicken project is strictly for family fun.

I have many questions, will be doing a lot of research. But my current plan is to build a coop with a 4 x 10 run. (One of the popular coop designs here....) I'll probably start with 4 chickens. I'm not really excited about the 'chick' stage, but I'm sure my kids will like it.

Oh! Probably the most exciting thing for me is that I will be able to see my coop from the window where I take my shower each morning! That means every day I get a chance to look at, and think about the chickens. This same window overlooks the garden (which is where my coop will be) and it's already great for that...keeps my garden in my mind, and well maintained.

In the photo I attached, the coop will be replacing the bed that is the far left of the photo, next to the bench.

Really looking forward to this!
Click to expand...
welcome.gif Welcome to Backyard Chickens!
I live in Woodland too.

Your plans sound fine. Make you you do not have any roosters though. They usually catch you eventually....:oops:
 

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