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I see you corrected this to 16 sq ft -- you were doing *cubic* feet the first time, weren't you
'Sokay, happens to everyone sometimes
If the coop is 4x4 footprint and thus 16 sq ft, it is marginally-ok for 4 birds.
If it is 3x4 footprint and thus 12 sq ft, it is starting to get on the pretty small side, though you can certainly try it and cross your fingers. They really are happier and more natural-acting with more space, though... and especially when you have nasty winters, just 3-4 sq ft per chicken is kind of a kick-me sign for difficult management AND risk of cannibalism arising. If there is ANY way to build the thing bigger, it'd be a real good idea...
I see you corrected this to 16 sq ft -- you were doing *cubic* feet the first time, weren't you
If the coop is 4x4 footprint and thus 16 sq ft, it is marginally-ok for 4 birds.
If it is 3x4 footprint and thus 12 sq ft, it is starting to get on the pretty small side, though you can certainly try it and cross your fingers. They really are happier and more natural-acting with more space, though... and especially when you have nasty winters, just 3-4 sq ft per chicken is kind of a kick-me sign for difficult management AND risk of cannibalism arising. If there is ANY way to build the thing bigger, it'd be a real good idea...
For ventilation, we plan on two 12" x 5" ( l x w) vents on the back 5' wall. One 12" x 12" window that will open on the 6' wall.
That's cutting it pretty fine. It will be too hot during the summer, I can just about guarantee you... and that is not really enough winter ventilation to be confident of coping with <whatever> circumstances, either. I am not sure how it is "based on" my tractor ventilation, but it is a lot *less* than the tractor had...
I would suggest, first, making the window considerably larger and perhaps FULLY openable (ie. not double-hung, but rather hinged at the top or something like that). Second, put vents at the top of at least 3 walls (you can skip the N wall if you want) so that no matter which way the wind is blowing in winter you can have SOME vent open -- perhaps your two 12x5 vents on each of three or four walls.
But you know if you could make the coop bigger, not just 4x4 footprint, it would be a LOT easier to ventilate in wintertime. These "broom closet" type arrangements are really tough because there just isn't anywhere to put wintertime ventilation that does not blow (or draft) directly at the roosting chickens. You can do baffles and such, but there is a limit to how much good that will do -- you may find yourself frequently in a situation where it is just too windy in the coop and you *have to* shut the vents all down, with the attendant problems of humidity etc.
I'm not saying you can't keep chickens alive in N ID in a 4x4 coop, it can be done of course, but it will be much harder and less pleasant than if it were (say) a 4x8 coop...
That's cutting it pretty fine. It will be too hot during the summer, I can just about guarantee you... and that is not really enough winter ventilation to be confident of coping with <whatever> circumstances, either. I am not sure how it is "based on" my tractor ventilation, but it is a lot *less* than the tractor had...
I would suggest, first, making the window considerably larger and perhaps FULLY openable (ie. not double-hung, but rather hinged at the top or something like that). Second, put vents at the top of at least 3 walls (you can skip the N wall if you want) so that no matter which way the wind is blowing in winter you can have SOME vent open -- perhaps your two 12x5 vents on each of three or four walls.
But you know if you could make the coop bigger, not just 4x4 footprint, it would be a LOT easier to ventilate in wintertime. These "broom closet" type arrangements are really tough because there just isn't anywhere to put wintertime ventilation that does not blow (or draft) directly at the roosting chickens. You can do baffles and such, but there is a limit to how much good that will do -- you may find yourself frequently in a situation where it is just too windy in the coop and you *have to* shut the vents all down, with the attendant problems of humidity etc.
I'm not saying you can't keep chickens alive in N ID in a 4x4 coop, it can be done of course, but it will be much harder and less pleasant than if it were (say) a 4x8 coop...
The pop door (10" x 8"). Speaking of which...how big should the pop door be? We're going to be raising B Orps which I know are big birds.
If they are hatchery stock i.e. not especially huge, they will *fit* thru that size, but a bit larger would not be a bad idea. Make sure it's on the side that is usually downwind in winter! And I would recommend cutting the opening at least 6" above the actual plywood floor of the coop (mine are mostly more like 12-18") to minimize the am't of bedding that gets kicked out.
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
If they are hatchery stock i.e. not especially huge, they will *fit* thru that size, but a bit larger would not be a bad idea. Make sure it's on the side that is usually downwind in winter! And I would recommend cutting the opening at least 6" above the actual plywood floor of the coop (mine are mostly more like 12-18") to minimize the am't of bedding that gets kicked out.
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
