What size coop would you suggest? (update)

[Free Feather]

I would not go with a coop that small unless you lived somewhere really warm or you were sure they would never have to be in there for more than sleeping. Never. I would personally would not do it.

You don't need large coop for your 15 chickens. The 4' x 7' coop with 4-6 nest boxes will do. However, you do need a large run. Keep in mind... the predators are your chicken #1 enemy so focus more on the run to keep them safe. I wish that I have 3 acres of land and the coop will be in the center that allow me to rotate to new run as see fit. Of course, the unused run will be growth vegetable or poultry feed to cut down the cost.

 

[speedy2020]

I would not go with a coop that small unless you lived somewhere really warm or you were sure they would never have to be in there for more than sleeping. Never. I would personally would not do it.

I personally don't like to walk on the poop. All my tasks are outside as much as possible. The chickens in there only sleep and laying eggs. I am consider move the roost outside to reduce bi-weekly clean up as possible this summer.

 

[Free Feather]

Then do not have chickens. They crap. Unless they never have to be in, they should not be stuck in a place that small. Is the door open all the time?

 

[speedy2020]

Yes, I do have a lot of experience raising chicken. My folk have a walk in coop, but require constant cleaning. My chickens refer stay outside in the run than stay in the coop.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/537861/automatic-feeder-attached-to-the-coop

 

[ShrekDawg]

It would not be too heavy. Just use 4x4s at each corner. I would raise it up like two feet or three.

That's a good idea, I'll suggest that.

Or do it old school and go to the library

Also can't say how successful it might or might not be, but you might be able to go to a book store and find some books with plans in them... Most book stores fully welcome you to read the books in house, and with a few phone pictures you can take your memories home...

Why didn't I think of that?? lol you're too smart xD

I showed it to my dad, btw, and he was like "oh yeah, that's easy. piece of cake" and was examining the photos, spouting off what some of the things were (like "x piece of wood, this, that" etc.), so that's good he did agree that the only thing it's nice for is the material lists but that's easy enough to figure out and/or we could just look on here or take pictures of books, like you said.



Anyways, as for the size of the coop, while it's true they don't -need- that much space and the regulations are actually about that, only 2-3 sq ft per bird, i think it's 2, I want to give them as much space as possible so at least 4 sq ft, I would do 10 but that might be a bit excessive. Even 4 could be excessive but I want them to have room. Especially in case I expand xD but thank you

Oh and also, I'll probably wind up getting less than 15, maybe only 8 or 10.

That's another thing, talked to my uncle's neighbor's son at the New Year's party tonight (well, my dad asked) and he said the chickens are so easy, once they're big. the only thing you need to do is lock them up at night but they go in on their own, just gotta luck them up. and he said he has 50 and my dad was surprised and asked how many I wanted and we both sort of talked at the same time, I said 10 as he was saying 6 was a good number to start out with and compensated by adding "6-10" so that's good to know I was about right. and my mom pinky promised on the car we're gonna get them but we didn't mention it at the party, but I showed my dad the coop pictures, just to see if he thought he could build it, as a general inquiry, and he didn't seem opposed to it at all, unlike this past spring, and, as I said, even asked Ross (the guy) about his chickens so I'll take that as a good sign I basically just need a job or at least my license and effort towards a job and/or selling things on eBay and chickens can be all mine

 

[Free Feather]

Good to hear. I guess you could just lock them up at night, but somehow I end up spending all of my time around the coop area... Some kind of mystery...
Sounds like you have a cool mom.

 

[MeepBeep]

My folk have a walk in coop, but require constant cleaning.

I have a big walk in coop and mine does not require constant cleaning, once a week for a quick swap of the poop catch tarp under the roosting area is about it... The rest of the coop is covered in deep litter and takes care of itself pretty maintenance free, maybe twice a year cleaning on the deep litter...

IMO a small coop or run can require more frequent maintenance be it inside or outside...

 

[ShrekDawg]

Good to hear. I guess you could just lock them up at night, but somehow I end up spending all of my time around the coop area... Some kind of mystery...
Sounds like you have a cool mom.

Thanks and aw wait you don't lock yours up? where do they sleep? I'll probably spend a lot of time with them during the day xD and haha yeah well I was going on and on about the chicken breeds and have been talking about chickens for like a week (and before this, months) so finally she just gave in and said we'd get chickens XD

I have a big walk in coop and mine does not require constant cleaning, once a week for a quick swap of the poop catch tarp under the roosting area is about it... The rest of the coop is covered in deep litter and takes care of itself pretty maintenance free, maybe twice a year cleaning on the deep litter...

IMO a small coop or run can require more frequent maintenance be it inside or outside...

Yeah, I feel like a small one might be more work because they would make it dirtier faster

 

[Free Feather]

They do have a coop, I meant I end up doing way more than just locking them up. I am down there all day.

 

[ShrekDawg]

They do have a coop, I meant I end up doing way more than just locking them up. I am down there all day.

Ohhh I see. Yeah, I'll probably interact with them more too and I'm sure he does more too, I think he just meant that's the only real major thing you have to worry about/do