Your opinions on my coop please!

[Lemon-Drop]

Worked for me on copy/paste? https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-clutter-and-coop-‘extras’.76527/

That’s so weird! No matter how many times I try it won’t work... even on other threads.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I went and copied it again maybe it’ll work this time? https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-clutter-and-coop-‘extras’.76527/

Sorry I don’t mean to Hijack your thread op.

 

[3KillerBs]

For 4 chickens you need:

• 16 square feet in the coop.
• 4 feet of roost
• 40 square feet in the run. 4'x10' or 5'x8'. 6'x6' is a bit too small, 6'x8' is more generous and easier to build than 5'x8'.
• 4 square feet of ventilation. 1, 2'x2' window is theoretically enough but in practice doesn't create any air FLOW so better to spread the venting around (and even better to exceed the minimums, especially in warm climates).
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

The most popular modification to make these little prefab coops work well is to turn the entire thing into a coop and add an appropriate run. Here's an example of how that can be done: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

In your climate as in mine, ventilation is CRITICAL and the Open Air style is a good option. I don't have a photo, but a person about a mile down the road from me took out everything but the roof, added panels from a dog kennel, and uses tarps on the windward sides instead of solid walls.

Don't waste money on parrot toys. As creatures of the forest floor rather than the forest canopy, chickens have completely different instincts. They want to dig, scratch, and perch rather than climb and chew. Their favorite "toy" is a big pile of raked up leaves, pine straw, or other yard waste.

 

[Nadilli]

Hello everyone! I don't know if anyone is even watching this thread anymore, but here goes nothing!
I have selected the area for the new coop and run, the total footprint is going to be 92.5 feet sq, 11 ft x 8.4 ft, and I believe my posts are 4 feet so thats going to be the height. I am considering inclosing the premade coop as ThatTeowonna did in https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

So, my chickens are currently 5 total, 3 bantam silkies, 1 tiny gold seabright banty (my picture), and 1 small gold sexlink. All are about 16 weeks old now, and are not laying.

I was wondering if they would use a bucket of water? for like a bath, or should i stick with sand?
I am also ordering a shade cloth, to cover half of the run.

Let me know what you think, and PLEASE give me some advice if you think of something <3
Thank you!
*edit, they also get yard clippings when I mow, so I am thinking that they are wanting more room to play. I plan on making shelves, stairs, and whatnot for them to play on.
and planning on putting hardware cloth on the top parts of the coop for ventalation.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was wondering if they would use a bucket of water? for like a bath, or should i stick with sand?

Stick with sand, dirt, wood ash, etc. Chickens don't bathe in water, and can drown in deeper containers such as drinking troughs and buckets.

 

[Nadilli]

Stick with sand, dirt, wood ash, etc. Chickens don't bathe in water, and can drown in deeper containers such as drinking troughs and buckets.

Thank you, I have a bucket that I will fill with sand for them. Would children's play sand work?

 

[Iluveggers]

I would definitely enclose the prefab coop, and the run would give them plenty of space at that size! Don’t put a bucket of water, it’s dangerous, but a bowl of sand would be good!

 

[Nadilli]

Yeah, I wasnt sure about the water, but it was an idea since its can get sooo hot here and wild birds like baths.
I will totally scrap that idea and put in a sand box for them!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Thank you, I have a bucket that I will fill with sand for them. Would children's play sand work?

How big is the bucket? For a dust bath chickens would generally prefer something low and wide, like an old tire, a children's sandbox, etc. - it's a social activity so they'd prefer if multiple birds could fit in at once, so they can all bathe together.

Not sure on the children's play sand, as I don't use sand at all. I know people have a lot of opinions on what type of sand is best, so hopefully someone weighs in on that.

Yeah, I wasnt sure about the water, but it was an idea since its can get sooo hot here and wild birds like baths.

They will need help to deal with heat: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

As I generally don't get very hot weather, I'll put out "foot baths" for my chickens (large clay planter saucers filled with cool water) so they can soak their feet and cool down. The saucers are ideal for me because they're too heavy to flip over, are very shallow for safety, and offer good traction so birds don't slip when standing in it.

 

[Nadilli]

How big is the bucket? For a dust bath chickens would generally prefer something low and wide, like an old tire, a children's sandbox, etc. - it's a social activity so they'd prefer if multiple birds could fit in at once, so they can all bathe together.
View attachment 2752349

Not sure on the children's play sand, as I don't use sand at all. I know people have a lot of opinions on what type of sand is best, so hopefully someone weighs in on that.


They will need help to deal with heat: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-extreme-weather-spiel.75893/

As I generally don't get very hot weather, I'll put out "foot baths" for my chickens (large clay planter saucers filled with cool water) so they can soak their feet and cool down. The saucers are ideal for me because they're too heavy to flip over, are very shallow for safety, and offer good traction so birds don't slip when standing in it.

14 x 17 x 7 deep is the container that i was planning on using for a dust bath.