javaferret
Chirping
Ground was broken, this thing is finally gonna get done! I have a few questions, we decided to agree on 8x8 raised coop with an 16x8 enclosed covered run, giving them 24x8 ft of space to roam when counting the under the coop space. I had wanted bigger but my husband who is actually building it made me downscale (he reminded me material cost money).
Going by what I have been reading will this set up work for max 20 standard chickens? The math for the run giving each hen 10 sqft is about 19, and the coop 21 by going by 3ft. I plan for just 8-16 chickens..but ya....planning just incase
Because we live in Oregon, we plan to do some kind of drainage for the run (coop will be off the ground) and will have a roof. What do you guys recommend for substrate, I read a thread on the wonders of sand, but I have never used it.
Second question is nest boxes, I would like to have them on the outside to give more room in the coop as well as prevent me from having to go in there all the time hunting for eggs
, how high should they be, floor level or up a bit off the floor? A friend says he has two rows of nest boxes and his girls like the higher ones to lay in, but they do sleep in them at night. I plan to do the roosts above a poop board of some sort, and would not want them to use their nests as mini poop trays!
Going by what I have been reading will this set up work for max 20 standard chickens? The math for the run giving each hen 10 sqft is about 19, and the coop 21 by going by 3ft. I plan for just 8-16 chickens..but ya....planning just incase

Second question is nest boxes, I would like to have them on the outside to give more room in the coop as well as prevent me from having to go in there all the time hunting for eggs
