Still in the Pre-Planning Phase

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
It is true that I would like some space for storing supplies. My main thoughts for the fancy version are:

around 5X6 feet
nest boxes to the exterior of those dimensions
siding left over from our house
chicken door (probably automatic)
window (antique) with hardware cloth to open up in summer
built in venting
insulated
lino in pull out droppings "drawer" that is the bottom of the coop - for easier cleaning
2X4 roost
PVC water-er and feeder
one whole side swings open
elevated 2 feet off ground to give shady place for hens to hide under
whole thing 3 feet high (total elevation of roof 5', elevation at top of nesting boxes 3.5)
built in step to access roof'
rooftop garden (Green roof) of salad greens
vertical plantings on exterior (outside of run) to house strawberries (keep up from slugs!)
6' run made with hardware cloth and 2X4s and 4X4s.
Branch for them to play on
chicken garden

our lot is only 25' wide. We cannot have the coop any closer than 3' from the property lines, and I don't want them *too* close to the house because they attract rats etc. I will probably not be able to give them more than 50 square feet of run. I am trying to eek out more for them by planting on the roof and wall

I am trying to get a lot of food from our city lot, it's a difficult line trying to balance lots of space for the hens, for a better life, and not losing too much garden space. I am building their run to include the stump from the tree we just had to fell. I'm thinking it will be something for them to jump on and peck at, and it will not be a useful spot for gardening anyways.

Sounds like you got a plan.... VBG. WRT extra space for gardening. I myself have been toying with the thought of doing some Aquaponics. Growing Tilapia in a pond and circulating the pond water enriched by the fish through out growing troughs along the fence. Two things going on Veggie garden And fish to eat. Plus the garden would be above the ground leaving the ground for growing things too.

My application will be for growing greens for the chickens to nibble on. And the occasional tomato for myself too. Plus the fish are cool... Id be doing some Koi as well.

 

[wolfandfinch]

wow that sounds AWESOME! No one has managed to keep fish alive here, too many raccoons and eagles.

 

[gottadance]

I'm also in the planning stages...have some supplies I've been getting off of craigslist and freecycle, but I'm sure I'll have to buy a bunch. I was thinking the same thing as you - do I start small or do I just build a bigger one. I'm unincorporated area of Chicago burbs - don't think there's a limit on chickens, but right now I'm not planning on more than four. Here's what I'm thinking:

10 x 12 coop (birds may need to spend a lot of time indoors in winter) next to garage
Ground floor using deep litter method
Slanted roof at same angle of garage w/shingles
Windows with hardware cloth inside- one facing south, one facing east
Two vents near peak opposite each other - east/west
Roof extends out 18 feet over run
Run enclosed with hardware cloth to roof.
Nest box opening and chicken door on west side, facing run
Insulation in all walls
Hardware cloth at least 12" into ground
Electric outlet through garage wall into coop - just in case
People door - not sure where to put this - still trying to figure out how cleaning floor will work

I'm not building this - hiring someone to build it, but hoping to barter, to keep down costs.

 

[Paraclete]

Quote:
Ah the raccoons, I was in Langley BC a couple of years ago, used to go there a couple times a year. Anyways, I was with my friend and we were walking about at night, there were raccoons like in every bush or dumpster we passed, it was so funny. Funny because I think they're cute but my friend was scared to death of them. XD
And you're going about it all wrong, you have to jump head first into building your cage and then start figuring out the important stuff mid way through. Just try to avoid building the coop around you and locking yourself in.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Eagles... wow. Same goes for the fish as the chickies. Nice welded wire lid works. Something high enough above the water the racoons cant reach through. Local cats too for that matter. Tilapia get big so they would need probably some deep water too which will protect them.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Sounds good I like your description I can really visualize it. YOu gotto share pix when its done for sure.

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
Ah the raccoons, I was in Langley BC a couple of years ago, used to go there a couple times a year. Anyways, I was with my friend and we were walking about at night, there were raccoons like in every bush or dumpster we passed, it was so funny. Funny because I think they're cute but my friend was scared to death of them. XD
And you're going about it all wrong, you have to jump head first into building your cage and then start figuring out the important stuff mid way through. Just try to avoid building the coop around you and locking yourself in.

Yep they crawl out of the palm trees and Eucalyptus at night around here going for the cat and dog food in the back yards. What wierds me more are Opossoms.... Nasty Snarling monsters out of a science fiction horror movie. They are just as responsible for chicken predation as raccons. Though they dont have the arms that skeletal Grin connected with that pasty grey fur and deep sunk eyes and those giant rat whiskers...

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
I think it is a very personal thing and depends on what you're like and what your situation is.

If funds are real tight, build something small and simple and not permanently attached into the ground, you can always sell it later if you build a bigger thing.

If funds are not so limiting and energy/time are available, build something big because even if you don't end up using it all for chickens it is always really good to have extra storage/work space

Most of all, do whatever you would least regret if you should decide later you shoulda done it the other way

Seriously.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat