Total newbie - is this coop OK, and for how many?

fpgill

Hatching
9 Years
Jun 9, 2010
9
0
7
I am just getting started (no chickens yet). I have a homemade coop through freecycle and I wanted to ask if it was sufficient, and for how many birds.

Here's the basic idea:
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Coop measures 37" by 30" (footprint). As you see the roof is sloped, height at the top is 39", height at the lowest point is 26". There are 3 nest boxes mounted inside the coop, against the tallest wall, raised above the floor so that there is 14" of head space under the boxes:
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The interior is lined with (deteriorating) foam which I am removing - I'm not sure insulation is necessary. My plan is to stick this coop inside a 8x10 dog kennel with some sort of roof to prevent hawks from picking them off. I also think I will raising the coop up more with another round of cinder blocks so they can walk under it for more room and shade.

So any advice - how many birds can I put in this coop? I'm not interested in bantams, and would appreciate any suggestions on breed - my main concerns are getting a breed that is cold hardy (I'm in MA zone 5b/6a) and that is productive for as many years as possible.

Thank you for any suggestions. I'm sure I will be back with more questions.
 
i would say 2 standard breeds or 4 banties if they only sleep in it and thy are aloud to be outside the whole day with no rain or snow
 
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Thank you. My plan was indeed to have them outside during the day, shut them in at night. I was hoping to stick with this coop, but I was hoping to get may be 4 hens.

Most of the ones I've looked at online are really expensive (The local Agway's cheapest one was $800+!!). I checked out the Ware line, looked at the Chick N Barn at a store but it seemed kind of flimsy and didn't even include nest boxes.

Any suggestions on breeds, per my second question above? Or where you can buy a reasonably priced coop? No, I'm not handy and have no carpentry skills.
 
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from Ohio. Your coop looks good, for a starter coop. Stick with two standard-sized hens, if you possibly can.
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Most of us get hooked, and simply MUST have more. LOL!
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Keep logging in, researcg the coops section, then you'll see how to build onto your coop, making a home for your increasing flock.
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BEST OF LUCK TO YOU, MY FRIEND!
 
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im not sure about buying coops but if i were you i would get silkies
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i would say you could fit 4 silkies in their and they are very friendly and great mothers
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or you could get a bantam layer breed if you want more eggs (silkies hardly lay any) like a leghorn or maybe orpington.
if it were me i would get 4 different bantam breeds which would probably be brahma, silkie, cochin, and barred rock. although i love orpingtons and jersey giants and sussex.
i was planning on getting 4 chickens too although i added on to the coop and ended up getting 7 chickens and 1 goose
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