suggestions on our first coop

[hlhutchinson]

we are looking at building a 4x4 or a 4x5 for 2-3 chickens (is this a good size?), it will be raised for easier cleaning. I want to have vents in between the rafters at the top, then for windows i'm thinking they will be closed in the winter we live in WY and gets really cold. will the upper vents be enough. And then for the windows can they just be a hole with hardware cloth covering them then can be covered by a wood panel, or do i need windows to let light in during the winter when the windows will be closed
thanks

 

[shelby h]

We built an 8x8 shed for our four girls, and put vent holes along the entire top area on two sides about 6 inches apart and an inch big, as well as a window covered with chicken wire (the window is near the roof). If the windows for yours are closer to the ground, i would definitely use hardware cloth that is securely in place. We have everything for them in there since our winters are wet and gross (western Washington) - feeder, gravity waterer is fed in from the outside to the inside, a dust bath, roost bar and their nest box. We will be hanging a low wattage light in there soon, seeing as the days are getting shorter and winter days are more likely to be gloomy than sunny around here. I almost wish we had built bigger. Hope i was able to help some!

Oh. Our chickies free range in our backyard, so we don't have a run. And chickens have lots of warm feathers. As long as their feathers aren't rustling in the wind, yours should be good, and i figure the more airflow the better, so there's no ammonia build up. But if you have a covered run, i think you might be ok?

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! I think that a walk-in shed makes the best coop; bigger than you think you will need, but totally practical and big enough for flock additions (which will happen!). A Woods coop is wonderful, or a garden shed modified with much bigger windows, vents, and hardware cloth everywhere. A dirt floor is fine, but dig-proof is essential, either with concrete, or hardware cloth. Electric wire or fencing in bear country. A big covered run, and free range days when possible. Cold hardy breeds for your climate. mary

 

[Emma Miriam]

I agree with all the above. Build bigger than you think you'll need. To give you an idea, a 4x4 coop can fit 4 birds. But let's say you start with three girls, and, two years down the road, their egg-laying rates sre starting to slow down. So you want to add some chicks. You can't raise 1 chick alone! So you get three, and now you have six girls in a coop for four. If you're going to build your own coop, I'd build 4x6 or larger, so you can fit at least 6 chickens.

If your coop is raised, I'd recommend you make it 2 feet off the ground so you can access underneath the coop.

Vents under the eaves are perfect. To give you an idea, two rules of thumb for ventilation are 1 square foot per bird, or 1 square foot per 10 square feet of floor space. Whichever is smaller is the minimum you want. For a 4x6 coop, if you put a 2 inch vent on all sides, that would give you 3.33 square feet (20 feet x 2 inches) of year-round ventilation. That sounds good to me. Play around with numbers to find what works for you.

I would cover your windows with acrylic to let in light in the winter. Light is what stimulates egglaying, so the more light in a coop, the more productive your hens will be! In the summer, you can remove tbe acrylic to allow for more airflow.

One other suggestion: make your coop tall! Walk-in if possible. It will be much easier for you to access.

Oh, and personally, I wouldn't get only 2 chickens. Chickens are flock animals, so if one were to depart during chickhood, you'd need to rush out and find a companion for your remaining chick. Starting with 3 or 4 chicks is much easier.

Hope that helps! Let us know if you have any other questions.