What size coop? And favorite designs?

[Egghead_Jr]

http://www.mansfieldfeed.com/news-updates/build-your-own-chicken-coop-2014-02-3056


This is a good coop design. The plans are 3/4 down the page and will open up when you click the thumb nail picture.

You don't need the sky light and certainly not that many nesting boxes. I'd go with two nest and that way they can be placed lower. Move pop door to side and have the nests at same level. Better to have nests lower so birds wont roost in them.

I've kept 9 birds in a 4x4 coop. Felt that 6 or 7 was a better fit for that size. That coop design can easily be expanded to 6x4 or 8x4. I'm about to make on 8x4 and put it on skids to tow about with lawn tractor. The biggest you can make the run the better. My management is not to keep birds in coop so they only use it to lay eggs and roost.

 

[aart]

http://www.mansfieldfeed.com/news-updates/build-your-own-chicken-coop-2014-02-3056


This is a good coop design. The plans are 3/4 down the page and will open up when you click the thumb nail picture.

You don't need the sky light and certainly not that many nesting boxes. I'd go with two nest and that way they can be placed lower. Move pop door to side and have the nests at same level. Better to have nests lower so birds wont roost in them.

I've kept 9 birds in a 4x4 coop. Felt that 6 or 7 was a better fit for that size. That coop design can easily be expanded to 6x4 or 8x4. I'm about to make on 8x4 and put it on skids to tow about with lawn tractor. The biggest you can make the run the better. My management is not to keep birds in coop so they only use it to lay eggs and roost.

What do you do in the winter when the snow piles up and the temps drop with high winds?

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I open the coop door and let the birds out.

The prevailing wind corner or sides I use a tarp to make a wind break. If the run gets icy I put down a layer of hay. This year I'll have a roof over the winter pen so wont have to shovel out the snow. The birds will stay in the coop waiting for temps to get up to -10F. That only occurs 4 or so times a year and the latest I've ever had birds stay in coop is 11 am. This is their choice as the coop is opened every morning. On the seriously brutal mornings I toss handfuls of sunflower in the coop for them. Water and food are outside only.

 

[jimbob86]

What do you do in the winter when the snow piles up and the temps drop with high winds?

So long as they are out of the wind, dry and there is adquate ventilation (I understand from reading here that 1 square foot x number of birds is the rule of thumb, with more being better.), food and water in a liquid state, they'll be fine.

 

[aart]

I open the coop door and let the birds out.

The prevailing wind corner or sides I use a tarp to make a wind break. If the run gets icy I put down a layer of hay. This year I'll have a roof over the winter pen so wont have to shovel out the snow. The birds will stay in the coop waiting for temps to get up to -10F. That only occurs 4 or so times a year and the latest I've ever had birds stay in coop is 11 am. This is their choice as the coop is opened every morning. On the seriously brutal mornings I toss handfuls of sunflower in the coop for them. Water and food are outside only.

Ahh your run is covered, wish mine was. We had many 'inside' days this last winter, despite an open pop door.....glad I had about 7-8 sqft per bird.

Quote: I have plenty of ventilation...but floor space can become an issue.

 

[Emma Miriam]

I am downsizing from 45 free ranged birds not really worried about "chicken math" but thanks

In that case, 4x6 would be the minimum size you want. Honestly, though, if you're going to the trouble of building a new coop, you might as well build a bit bigger. To quote the second link in aart's signature:
"If I give them extra space I have to deal with fewer behavior problems, I have more flexibility in managing them or in dealing with problems that come up, and I don’t have to work as hard."
That's very true, and something to keep in mind. Personally, I'd recommend a 4x8 coop for your number of birds.

As for a run, first of all, I'd definitely cover it. It will just be so much easier not to worry about mud/snow as much. Bare minimum run size would be 60 square feet, but again, I'd highly recommend going bigger. I currently have 3 pullets in a 55 square foot covered run, and I wouldn't put more than 4 in there. My recommendation, if you can swing it, would be at least 80 square feet.

Hope that helps.

 

[RJSorensen]

I prefer walk in coops, but perhaps a over and under is right for your current needs. It seems that little coops can cost a lot, pre-made. If you are handy you could knock out something for a great deal less, and could still look nice. I don't like the mental image of the old dark, dank, chicken shack, and do what I can to not have that in my back yard. I suspect you have something in mind at this point. It is way cool you can take/keep some of your birds.

Best to you and your birds,

RJ

 

[123RedBeard]

Square feet minimums are usually for average chickens ... What's an average chicken?

Some are tiny, little, med, large, extra large ... Some handle confinement better than others ...

If your taking your free ranger's and confining them ... I'd make it bigger than the minimum ...

What kind of chickens will you have?