Why are coops built so stout?

[Mtn Laurel]

As another poster advised, the rule of thumb for full sized birds is 4 sq. ft. in the coop and 10 sq. ft. in the run. The Learning Center here at BYC is a great place to get all sorts of info starting out.

One thing I'd like to add that isn't always addressed is storage space. If you figure the size of your coop based on how many birds you ultimately plan on having, please add in extra space to account for feed storage, supplies, a few bags of pine shavings or bales of straw, etc. It's amazing how quickly the space in a coop can be eaten up with supplies.

"Chicken Math" is something you'll want to take into consideration, too. That's when you plan on getting 15 birds but you ultimately end up with 30. Not unusual that this occurs and it can happen almost overnight. Chickens are very enjoyable and are a bit like potato chips - you can't have just one. Or 15. ;-)

Best of luck!

 

[HighStreetCoop]

As another poster advised, the rule of thumb for full sized birds is 4 sq. ft. in the coop and 10 sq. ft. in the run. The Learning Center here at BYC is a great place to get all sorts of info starting out.

One thing I'd like to add that isn't always addressed is storage space. If you figure the size of your coop based on how many birds you ultimately plan on having, please add in extra space to account for feed storage, supplies, a few bags of pine shavings or bales of straw, etc. It's amazing how quickly the space in a coop can be eaten up with supplies.

"Chicken Math" is something you'll want to take into consideration, too. That's when you plan on getting 15 birds but you ultimately end up with 30. Not unusual that this occurs and it can happen almost overnight. Chickens are very enjoyable and are a bit like potato chips - you can't have just one. Or 15. ;-)

Best of luck!

OMG, yes! I'm going to end up adding a shed out near the coop for all that stuff, LOL! And I *wish* I had space for chicken math. My yard is just too small so my coop is small. But if you have the room, build it bigger than you think you're gonna want so when you decide you need green eggs or some new cool chicken breed, you have ROOM!

 

[aart]

As another poster advised, the rule of thumb for full sized birds is 4 sq. ft. in the coop and 10 sq. ft. in the run. The Learning Center here at BYC is a great place to get all sorts of info starting out.

One thing I'd like to add that isn't always addressed is storage space. If you figure the size of your coop based on how many birds you ultimately plan on having, please add in extra space to account for feed storage, supplies, a few bags of pine shavings or bales of straw, etc. It's amazing how quickly the space in a coop can be eaten up with supplies.

"Chicken Math" is something you'll want to take into consideration, too. That's when you plan on getting 15 birds but you ultimately end up with 30. Not unusual that this occurs and it can happen almost overnight. Chickens are very enjoyable and are a bit like potato chips - you can't have just one. Or 15. ;-)

Best of luck!

Yep, and then add on another 4-6 feet(with a separate door and maybe run) to partition off for your growout, broody, 'bad' or new birds isolation space.

 

[Scruffyfeathers]

Thanks HighStreetCoop, and actually, everyone that has replied. I am not a lazy man and I enjoy reading but as most of you may know, being new to this site it can be rather intimidating with regards to where to look for specific information. I will follow your lead:To the learning center I will go! There is just so much I need to learn. I have read about "Pasty Butt" This is generally when I change drawers that week; but with chicks I understand it could be a serious health issue if not addressed properly and immediately. So much to learn!

 

[Scruffyfeathers]

Hey

, noted. I suspect I will fall into that "Chicken Math" syndrome quite easily. I love caring for animals (even those that may face the ultimate sacrifice to support our existence). I do have the space but using it wisely and beneficial to the flock will be the primary concern.

 

[Scruffyfeathers]

Thanks, Flock Master, for the new terms I need to understand: Growout, broody, 'bad' or new birds isolation space. I will be quite busy just a huntin' and a peckin' through this site to discover what I actually don't know about what I am setting out to do.

 

[aart]

Thanks, Flock Master, for the new terms I need to understand: Growout, broody, 'bad' or new birds isolation space. I will be quite busy just a huntin' and a peckin' through this site to discover what I actually don't know about what I am setting out to do.

Grow out....for chicks to 'grow out' until they are big enough (3-4 months) to join the main flock.
Broody... a hen that sits in eggs until they hatch then raises the chicks.
Isolation....some birds are badly behaved, sometimes you have to many roosters, and new bird are 'isolated' from the rest of the flock for a few weeks before joining the rest of the flock.

 

[karens907]

Hmmm, and don't forget the bears! If you live in bear country you better build it solid! A friend of mine had 7'x8' coop that had a door with the 9 pane window. A bear got into her coup and she shut the door, thinking the birds would run outside and she could call fish and wildlife to come get the bear. Well, that bear jumped up and went thru just one of the 9 panes in the window. Yes, only one pane broke! It was not a baby bear either!

 

[Sonya9]

I know nothing about the various types of birds nor their size and the space requirements for each. I wish to raise layers and meat chickens but don't have a clue as to how to make an informed decision regarding which breed to choose for their specific roles. The tractor will be for the meat birds - I think. Again, I don't know enough about this venture just yet but I am willing to listen and follow up on suggested research.

When choosing birds do you plan to buy chicks or hatch your own from eggs? If you plan to hatch out chicks yourself then you want to choose a "dual purpose" laying breed so you can eat the cockerels that will be hatched out. For instance Leghorns are considered one of the best layers however they are small birds, if you bought pullets you would be fine but if you hatched out your own leghorn eggs the cockerels wouldn't produce a good sized meat bird.

For meat birds also realize some varieties cannot survive into adulthood, their bodies grow so fast they just lay around and can't behave like "normal" birds, they will often develop serious physical problems (even gangrene in their muscles) if they are not processed at a young age. To avoid that instead of getting Cornish X birds (that have short life expectancies) you could choose a meat bird variety such as Red Ranger or Freedom Ranger, those birds won't outgrow their bodies at a young age and can even be kept as layers. They also live normal lives and can run around and forage to entertain themselves.

If you plan to keep them in relatively small areas and you are doing this for food production I would be very careful about mixing breeds, some of the "production" laying breeds can be aggressive towards softer breeds with mild temperaments.That means select a good laying breed in advance and don't just handpick a variety of "pretty" laying breeds that may be seriously picked on by more aggressive birds.

If you buy from a large hatchery spend a few extra pennies and get vaccinated chicks, that can save you a lot of heartache in the future.

 

[tracecom]

Hmmm, and don't forget the bears! If you live in bear country you better build it solid! A friend of mine had 7'x8' coop that had a door with the 9 pane window. A bear got into her coup and she shut the door, thinking the birds would run outside and she could call fish and wildlife to come get the bear. Well, that bear jumped up and went thru just one of the 9 panes in the window. Yes, only one pane broke! It was not a baby bear either!

I have trouble visualizing a bear passing through a one square foot opening. Maybe the door was pushed open when the bear hit the door?