Okay, so we are getting ready to build our new coop, the winter home next week and I thought I would gather all the experience from you all before I put my hand to something I know nothing about. We had just planned on a square shed type building but am not sure how to arrange the roosts, nest boxes waterer, feeder etc. And wondering about dimensions also. We have 11 hens, (2 large, 8 standard and 1 silkie) so I am wondering if a 8x8 will be large enough with an outside run of course. Also, is ventilation supposed to allow cross flow or does that constitute a draft? Thanks in advance, Suz
New Coop
I love to go to backyardchickens.com and look at the coop section on the message board. So many ppl post pics of what they are building, it's great for ideas !!!
Size wise I think you will be fine.... take into consideration if you think you will have more next year so you don't have to expand etc.. Remember the silkie will need a nest box/roost down lower than the standards.
Roosts can go opposite the wall that holds the nest boxes if you like and you can use a variety of things for that. Many folks like to use hefty branches as the dimensions and texture can be good for a birds feet. You can do the simple ladder style or pick something that is just straight across if that works best for your space. A lot of ppl use a droppings pit system to help cleaning under the roosts.... I guess it all depends on how adventurous you are and the skill level you have during building...lol.
A wall mounted feeder can be a space saver... I have the pvc white plumbing pipe and like it a lot. Either hang the waterer or have it sitting off the floor to help with it getting not so dirty.
I think ventilation should allow cross flow above where the birds are. If it is directly where they roost etc it is more draft then ventilation. Either small windows or wired vents that can be closed make a good source for ventilation in my opinion.
Your climate is very different than mine so I don't know if you might need more ventilation as in an exhaust type fan to move hot air or not.
Electricity in the coop is a bonus if you can swing it and in my opinion running water and storage for feed in or near the coop make it a palace !!
Julie
I posted a bunch of links for info on building coops, free plans, etc. a long time ago.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/747814/
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/728016/
this is the thread where I posted my coop. i LOVE it.
also, do you get sub freezing temps? If so, you might want to think about getting two or three more silkies so your silkie will have someone to roost with when it gets chilly.
BackyardHens,
WOW! What an amazing coop. You are one smart woman! I will definitely use yours as a model when we build ours.
Thanks for posting it!
Thanks! *blush* I'm happy to help in any way I can in terms of advice, etc. It took me forever to work it out and I am pretty happy with it overall!
Went away for my B-day weekend out to the coast and came home to some GREAT ideas. Thank you so much!! Yes, I would love another silkie as we just had to take one back because she was really a he but we just tried introducing a newcomer a few days ago and the first day was really rough on her. I think our flock has established itself. So it will have to wait until next spring. Our other gals all seem to get along fine and they all sleep together, will that change when they are in their coop and all grown up?? Our weather here in the foothills of CA is up to 105 in summer and down to 30s in winter. Very little snow only every few years. I love your coop Backhyard hen, very nice. So, how did you do the floor?? And did you put up wire in the rafters below the roof to keep critters out? Does 1/2 inch plywood sound reasonable to use? Unfortunately, we will not have the luxury of electricity or water so we will have to make it so enough sunlight will get in as possible. I really do appreciate all your help and suggestions.!! Suz
I am so excited!! We go to buy the building materials tomorrow and contruction starts this weekend on the Happy Hen Hotel. Glenda, if you don't mind, I think it is going to look an awful lot like yours, but 8x8. We will have doors on both sides to make it easier to access and more light. So YEAH! My babies will have a new home soon!
Okay, we started here.
Then our friends gave me this disgusting rusting, rotting box.
And after a weekend of sweat and blood, my babies got to move into the beautiful new and improved transition coop while we start on yet another bigger and better hen resort.
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Sorry, thought that would work.
All new wiring and wood and a pretty coat of paint does wonders!
Kewl !!!
I tried to make a "silkie condo" since they don't seem to like to go into the big girl house with the standard hens. They prefer an old rabbit hutch that I put in the run. Anyway they don't like the silkie condo either.... I thought cuz it was high up off the ground even though I have seen other ppl with the same kind of design.
Anyway I will be back to the drawing board trying to make my silkies happier I guess. But it wasn't a waste as one of my EE's and a BO have both taken to laying in the condo the last couple days.
Julie =0)
And now for the Big winter coop. We are starting with 8x4 just like Glendain Michigans then we will add another 8x4 just like it about 20 feet away and wire in the space between them for a run. I found two brand new windows on craigs list yesterday for 25$ yesterday. And we found beautiful siding for the walls. I have some groved siding to put around the door, that plexiglass will fit into so I can still in and they will be protected from wind or rain. We should finish the first one this weekend and move it out to the yard and get the babies into it!!
that's awesome! keep the pictures coming as you finish the project!
gotta love craigslist!!
The sun room/breakfast nook (okay, it's just some wire, but it will let the morning sun in :) ) , flooring, and window got put in.
And then the door. Both the door and the sun room will have solid doors that cover them. So now the nesting boxes!! My DH wants to build ones with slanted bottoms so the eggs roll out the back. I'm having a hard time picturing this. I'm envisioning my hens trying to lay eggs staring up at the ceiling in a recliner. LOL. Anyone have any plans or ideas for how that could work? I can't seem to find anything on it on the net.
IT'S DONE!!!!!!! We finally moved it outside on pvc pipe and finished the inside and then put the siding up today. I was two hinges and a latch short, so I didn't get the thrill of moving them in today, but tomorrow after church we will get them in their new home!! Yeah!!!
Both the big front door and this screen area will have siding doors that cover them so it will be completely enclosed for bad weather.
Yikes, LOL just realized this one is on it's side and I don't know how to rotate it. Sorry!
