Stumped here need suggestions on 8x14 coop floorplan.

[Ridgerunner]

I intend to order 12-15. I figure a small loss so I figure I end up with 10-12 at most.

Over the years I've ordered a total of about 75 chicks from three different hatcheries. Every one of them arrived alive and lived. It is very possible you can lose one or some. It happens but I would not count on it.

 

[teddyjames]

Over the years I've ordered a total of about 75 chicks from three different hatcheries. Every one of them arrived alive and lived. It is very possible you can lose one or some. It happens but I would not count on it.

Not counting on it! However I do count on getting more roosters than I want, I think the min order is 5 some places, 3 the other. Some places only offer straight run which means mostly roosters. I intend to give some away or sell some to friends... Then you must think ahead to when you hens get too old too lay, and your too attached to the birds to kill them, and your too accustomed to those yummy fresh brown eggs.. would be nice to have a brooder to keep fresh birds on hand.. Im not totally opposed to a brooder outside the coop, but I have zero space anywhere else unless its my living room floor. no ty on that.. lol

 

[teddyjames]

Plus I like the fact that they get "born and raised" in the coop, always know where home is..

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is that going to be an enclosed run outside the coop? You could always just put the brooder in there, that's what I do. When it's not in use I just leave it open and the birds use it as rain shelter.

 

[Penpal]

Looking at your photos, it looks like it is open where the roof beams meet the wall. That is also ventilation, and in the right place. You just might want to tack some hardware cloth up there to keep predatory birds out.

 

[StinkyAcres]

How about something like this?

 

[teddyjames]

How about something like this?
View attachment 4017488

Yup, this looks great!

 

[teddyjames]

Looking at your photos, it looks like it is open where the roof beams meet the wall. That is also ventilation, and in the right place. You just might want to tack some hardware cloth up there to keep predatory birds out.

Not totally finished... seems perfect right now in winter, but with the heat of the birds + the sun in summer might have to cut out another spot for ventilation. Options always there. We don't want other birds flying into the coop and spreading disease right?

 

[teddyjames]

Is that going to be an enclosed run outside the coop? You could always just put the brooder in there, that's what I do. When it's not in use I just leave it open and the birds use it as rain shelter.

View attachment 4015555

Not totally finished but should be by spring. I have more to cover and do before birds are turned loose in run. Me having a plastic top, I don't think I could trust chicks overnight as raccoon could chew threw that plastic in about 20 seconds. I just thinking brooder in coop for safety purposes but on the other hand its gonna take up space in a small space already lol. As others have suggested, PUT THE BROODER UNDER THE ROOSTS... I'm going to have a heat lamp in the brooder, and if I allow 24 inches of space between lamp and chicks, add in a 1ft chain to hang it from, thats three feet. That only leaves 4ft to ceiling. Say I make a poop catcher and put the roosts 1ft above that, that leaves 3ft to ceiling. Them birds be ducking their heads on the roost, which would be 6ft off the floor. Would this be good?

 

[teddyjames]

Is that going to be an enclosed run outside the coop? You could always just put the brooder in there, that's what I do. When it's not in use I just leave it open and the birds use it as rain shelter.

View attachment 4015555

Do you have a heat lamp in there? Looks like a lamp would be touching the birds when they feathered out enough to be loose..??