What is the minimum height for a coop?

[mylilchix]

We're getting ready to build a small coop for our roos. I'm wondering what the minimum height for a coop can be? There are 4 roos, I'm thinking of building something at least 20 sq. ft, but I don't want to make their roof too low. Thanks for the advice.

Sonja

 

[keljonma]

Minimum height - How Tall Are You? Add 6" - 12". That would be my answer.

 

[mylilchix]

I'm thinking of building something with a hinged roof, so I can just pop it open to add food and water.

Sonja

 

[BearSwampChick]

20 sq. feet of roofing is going to be pretty heavy, I would think, unless you're using lightweight materials.

 

[keljonma]

Okay, but how will you clean it?

 

[scooter147]

If they are standard breeds I would make it at least three feet. You should provide a roost as well so you will have to consider this in the height.

Make sure that you can lock them out when you clean otherwise they will investigate what you are doing and fly over the walls.

 

[Jenski]

You are welcome to check out my small suburban setup (designed for four heavy breed laying hens) ~ our coop is 2' off the ground, 3' high, 4' deep and 5' long. The inside has a ladder-style perch, 2 nest boxes, a small waterer and feeder.

http://theworldofjenotopia.com/cmsjoomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=27

(The article is 2 parts, one for the run and one shows the finished coop.)

The coop is up on legs to save run space and to provide shade for the girls. The whole front of the coop opens on hinges for easy cleaning, and there is a large back door with double locks for egg box/cleaning access. We have good cross ventilation, and in summer we use a double-reinforced screen door at night.

Hope that helps!


Jen in Tn

 

[patandchickens]

You can perfectly well build it raised off the ground (for your convenience) and 'cabinet-style', so that it is a wall that opens rather than the roof. Seems to me this is probably more common than hinged-roof for small box-style coops like that. Just remember that reaching more than 3' into the coop gets obnoxious and messy, so design the coop proportions accordingly.

I'm with scooter147; I would not make it shorter than 3' to allow a roost bar. You really ought to have a roost of some sort IMO, if only so they can sleep with their butts up out of the poo

Also, much less than 3' (and remember you have to add a little bit of allowance for bedding) and they are liable to have problems stretching up and crowing, which is such a natural part of being a rooster that it seems unfair to me to interfere with it.

Good luck,

Pat

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

We are building a small bantam coop which will be 4x4 and 3 feet tall. We plan on having one whole wall open for easy cleaning and the food/water dishes will be hinged on the door that opens for easy fill and clean.

 

[arlee453]

I vote for raising it up about 18" off the ground and making one whole side open up for cleaning. That would be a lot easier than a roof.

Check out the ChickNBarn by WARE if you are thinking smaller coop you can open the top. It's small and light enough just to move it when you want to clean under it. Both sides are hinged to peek in and it does have a roost. It might give you more design ideas if you are wanting the coop small and still on the ground.

Don't buy it if you can build though. You can build something very similar for a lot less! Build a larger run too - the attached run is not large enough for more than 2-3 chickens max. That sized coop would work OK for 4 roosters in a batchelor pad if they have a larger run.

http://www.critter-cages.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=85