What is the number one concern about chicken coops?

[Mervin]

I say the most important things is common sense.

You will hear a lot of opinions on here. This is a family site, but "opinions are like..." You have to take in as much as you can and reason with it. I tend to read a lot of what patandchickens puts out here b/c it seems well reasoned and researched. I supplement that with things I've read in "classic" poultry texts. The modern convenience we have with raising poultry today wasn't available 100 years ago. It's more for the poultryman and less for the poultry IMO. For me it seem unnecessary in a lot of instances, but that's my reasoning. I might tell you that insulation and supplemental heat is superfluous, but maybe you won't sleep well at night if you think you animals are uncomfortable. I might also tell you try a relatively small electric fence charger for protection, but a lot folks won't have one around kids (I get zapped way more than my kids BTW). It works for me, but it might not for you.

Don't forgot to look around you local area. As good a resource as the Internet is, nothing beats local knowledge. Seek out those around you and use their experience to understand chicken keeping in you locality. I also agree with patandchickens on starting small. Build a big facility, if you can, but start with a small flock and build up your skills and understanding. If you start big, you may get overwhelmed.

On a more microscopic level...

1. Ventilation is a big one, for me anyway.

2. Predator protection can be a big issue. Often other people and pets (dogs) are the worst predators.

3. Heat/Cold is not as much of a concern if the breeds are appropriate for your climate.

 

[norristhechickenman]

Thanks for your replies, I am learning a lot here....

Good luck with your new chicken business!

- actually i am just doing this for fun... it eases my stress and everything... but it has a potential to be a business... lol

2. Adequate space

- sir can you be specific about the space? because ive been on a goose farm and it requires 1.5 Sq. Meter area per goose. how about the chickens? any idea?

additional questions...
- in terms of feeding... what you be the best feeding plate for the chickens? hmm.. i have no idea about that one... i only use a dog plate for now... in case i expand what should i use for a plate?

- now i can notice that the water is always dirty on the container... what do you suggest about this? i saw some articles that water needs to be running to maintain it fresh... is it true?

thanks in advance...​

 

[patandchickens]

Quote:
Can I suggest you do some general reading, in this site's Learning Center or just "in general" (online and books), and look at peoples' coop design pages on this site?

That will answer your very general questions such as the above, and you will get a MUCH better idea of what keeping chickens is like and what it requires and what are some different ways you might choose from.

In a nutshell though the answers to your above questions would be "it depends what you're trying to achieve", "various feeder options are possible", "if you raise the water to the level of the chickens' back it tends to stay cleaner", and "no, you don't need running water"

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[norristhechickenman]

thanks!

did the reading thing... now im really confused... lol ahhahah im gonna post a new thread so that my confusions will all be cleared.

 

[BrattishTaz]

My #1 is Predator proofing.

 

[Country Parson]

I agree with all that's been stated, especially the top 5 list. I would add weather protection (obviously). If your building your coop from the ground up, just make sure if fully protects from the weather. Having lived way up in Northern Michigan, I firmly believe in most cases it is unnecessary and a waste of resources to insulate a coop. Just make sure it is draft free. Protect them from the wind and rain and they will be just fine.

But, as the top 5 list noted, have adequate ventilation...this is tricky to learn at first but should be your TOP priority when constructing a coop. I think getting the vent/draft-free issue right may be more tricky for those in the North, as we obviously need ventilation but have to guard against freezing winds. I also think some Southern chicken-keepers underestimate the need for weather protection. An acquaintance of mine in Texas build a raised coop w/ a solid roof but all 4 sides were wire. I told him to give a more weather protection than that, and he said "this is Texas, not Michigan. They'll be fine". Later that year a massive wind/hail storm killed all his birds.

 

[yelim]

Pets or livestock?
It's hard to do business with pets.