What do you think? First time coop.

[Rocky86]

Also! How many nesting boxes should I do for the 6 I have out now? Getting mixed reviews.

So the total square footage will not count the nesting boxes.

 

[Rocky86]

Lol my husband decided to do that himself . I plan on doing perching all up top. The ladder is going in the run.

What do you reccomend for perching in the coop? I have dowel rods handy, also may do some natural branches.

Now that I think about it…may have been to give them a bit more floor space. I have platforms in their run and they love laying up there.

 

[mowin]

Also! How many nesting boxes should I do for the 6 I have out now? Getting mixed reviews.

So the total square footage will not count the nesting boxes.

Normally only need one nesting box for every 3-4 birds. Most likely, they will all use the same one. Not uncommon for me to see two one box at the same time with a 3rd chewing them out because they're taking too long.

 

[WIchickMama]

I have 4 nesting boxes for 7 laying hens and 5 up and coming. They lay in 2 of the 4 and probably cross their legs sometimes as they are waiting for just the right one to open up!

As far as roosting, I have 2x4s and 2x6s as I have some larger standards and smaller standards. They like to be flat and cover their feet in the winter to stay warm

 

[Rocky86]

Normally only need one nesting box for every 3-4 birds. Most likely, they will all use the same one. Not uncommon for me to see two one box at the same time with a 3rd chewing them out because they're taking too long.

Thank you!

 

[Rocky86]

I have 4 nesting boxes for 7 laying hens and 5 up and coming. They lay in 2 of the 4 and probably cross their legs sometimes as they are waiting for just the right one to open up!

As far as roosting, I have 2x4s and 2x6s as I have some larger standards and smaller standards. They like to be flat and cover their feet in the winter to stay warm

Haha that is fantastic! Perfect thanks for the dimensions! We have all that so we can get them perched tonight.

 

[3KillerBs]

We have 10 for now! Depending on any more Roos we get.

The coop itself 4x6x4 and the run is 6x8x7.

Thank you!

1 Brahma 1 cochin and the rest are are bantams.

It looked small but then you said "bantams" so it will probably be OK.

What do you reccomend for perching in the coop? I have dowel rods handy, also may do some natural branches.

I *personally* use natural branches of a thickness somewhere between my wrist and my husband's wrist (terribly imprecise, I know). This is because scrub oak and pine saplings are weeds on my property while 2x4's cost money.

Also! How many nesting boxes should I do for the 6 I have out now? Getting mixed reviews.

6 birds should be fine with 2 boxes.

Here's an article on ventilation to help you figure out what you need: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

 

[Rocky86]

It looked small but then you said "bantams" so it will probably be OK.



I *personally* use natural branches of a thickness somewhere between my wrist and my husband's wrist (terribly imprecise, I know). This is because scrub oak and pine saplings are weeds on my property while 2x4's cost money.



6 birds should be fine with 2 boxes.

Here's an article on ventilation to help you figure out what you need: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

Thanks! That’s awesome. Yeah the coop seems huge to me but it’s like 3-4 times the size of the one we got from IFA when we first got the chicks!

 

[3KillerBs]

Thanks! That’s awesome. Yeah the coop seems huge to me but it’s like 3-4 times the size of the one we got from IFA when we first got the chicks!

Here's a photo that helps put coop size into perspective.

These 3 boys in my 4x8 brooder were 18 weeks old and just slightly smaller than an adult hen of their breed.

They had adequate room, but not generous over the long term.