What goes in the coop?

[yellowswirl]

Ok. So this is what we have so far.

We have 6 chicks, ranging in age from 1 to 4 weeks. The plan is to have a coop with 2 nest boxes and 2 roosts enclosed in an upper area that is 3.5 x4 feet that we would close at night. The run is underneath would be 7x4 feet with walls if hardware cloth. The nest boxes will be added to the back and would not be included in the dimensions of the enclosed part.

I think they would need more room at night. The entire coop/ run will be secure with hardware cloth do they need to be locked up at night inside the coop or can they have free run (as long as the run is secure)? Also, do they need food and water in the enclosed coop at night? Will they be ok if there is food/water in the run part?

Sorry if I sound so unsure, we are just trying to use materials we already have.

Thanks for any help or advise!

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! Six birds will need at least 24 sq. ft. in the coop; preferably more. You will want to make your coop at least as large as the exixting framing you've started, and add a larger run. Make the coop tall enough to stand inside, and add an apron of hardware cloth or a solid dig-proof foundation. In other words, rethink your plans. Mary

 

[Nickbuck10]

you can never have to big of a coop trust me 39 hens are a pain to fit in a coop.

 

[Nickbuck10]

I have a 24' by 12'run and 2 5'by7' coops I need bigger coops I know.

 

[Nickbuck10]

My runs have chicken wire 5'tall in 100'roll and 4*4 corner post and landscape timbers running on the ground wire is secured to them and nothing has dug under it so if secure they can stay out at night.

 

[yellowswirl]

Welcome!  Six birds will need at least  24 sq. ft. in the coop; preferably more.  You will want to make your coop at least as large as the exixting framing you've started, and add a larger run.  Make the coop tall enough to stand inside, and add an  apron of hardware cloth or a solid dig-proof foundation.  In other words, rethink your plans.  Mary

LOL! I thought so. My husband thinks it's fine, but I disagree. I want use the whole thing as the coop and add a run. This is our 1.0 version, so I'm sure we'll add in to whatever we build. Thanks for your advise!

 

[Blooie]

To answer your question about the food and water, I don't leave mine in the coop. Both are kept in the run, but because of my setup the pop door is open 24/7 year round. So as soon as they get up they have immediate access to it. I think that you'll be happier and more satisfied if you go with a larger set up, but I can't make that decision for you.

Most feeders and waterers take up valuable floor space. There are ways around that, to be sure - you can hang them, you can tuck them under the poop board if you have one, or you can use feeders that you build right into the frame of your coop. But your set up looks kinda small to be able to give up any space.

Chickens don't eat and drink at night anyway. Once they are on the roost, that's where they'll stay until morning. So if you are absolutely certain your run is as predator and pest proof as possible, just leave it in the run. They'll head for it first thing in the morning, which brings up another point - if they have to wait for you to get out there and open up the coop for the day, you may want to have a smaller water source in the coop. They can go a little while before they eat, but they really need to drink.

 

[yellowswirl]

you can never have to big of a coop trust me 39 hens are a pain to fit in a coop.

wow, that's a lot of hens. We're starting small, but I can already feel the pull for more.

 

[Nickbuck10]

Yep that is chicken math at work you think more is good for eggs right let me tell you it = more food cost even if you sell your eggs it won't cover the cost of feed I speak from experience.

 

[yellowswirl]

To answer your question about the food and water, I don't leave mine in the coop.  Both are kept in the run, but because of my setup the pop door is open 24/7 year round.  So as soon as they get up they have immediate access to it.  I think that you'll be happier and more satisfied if you go with a larger set up, but I can't make that decision for you.

Most feeders and waterers take up valuable floor space.  There are ways around that, to be sure - you can hang them, you can tuck them under the poop board if you have one, or you can use feeders that you build right into the frame of your coop.  But your set up looks kinda small to be able to give up any space.

Chickens don't eat and drink at night anyway. Once they are on the roost, that's where they'll stay until morning. So if you are absolutely certain your run is as predator and pest proof as possible, just leave it in the run.  They'll head for it first thing in the morning, which brings up another point - if they have to wait for you to get out there and open up the coop for the day, you may want to have a smaller water source in the coop.  They can go a little while before they eat, but they really need to drink.

Thanks! We live in florida, so I'm not worried about it getting too cold. We'd probably leave them to have access to the run too. I have an idea of a good layout.... Thanks again for your input!