Chicken coop question

[Mousefield]

I went with ventilation at the top for our coop. seems to work good and they where happy this winter. I let ours free range, today let them out but they decided there was to much snow on the ground so they played for a bit and went back in. Our chickens will actually come up to us and ask, through body language, to be picked up. Folks that have visited think it's funny.

I did the same, about 18" X 24" covered by heavy wire mesh. It is located at the high point of the inside wall, almost 12ft up. We have 4 windows in the coop, depending on the weather outside we do partly close them but leave them open at least 2" to help with ventilation.

 

[RobertBrown]

Prokop,
I designed a coop using information gleened from this very informative website: Coop Designs

I felt it was key to have the coop set up right from the beginning. It's something that has to be cleaned and maintained regularly, so a proper design will save a lot of time over the long run.
Hope this helps

 

[brokenknee]

Downloaded these plans from backyardchicken. I haven't built it yet, my dog killed the three chickens we had last year. I am going to try 6 more this year, just won't be able to free range them with the dog around.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/25809725/Chicken Coop/chicken coop.pdf

 

[tallyho8]

Side funny wife note - can you guess how many breeds are in that pack of 25?

I guess 12. The last time I ordered 25 chicks I had 13 different types. :confused2:

 

[20 20]

Fox had two of ours the other night, first time we didn't lock them upo for ages, how did the bloody fox know?

I'd bet that ole fox knows more about what's going on at your house then you do. Most animals don't concern themselves with time lines when they're looking at a buffet. Sure they'll go elsewhere and get a happy meal but they won't forget where the steak(chicken)house is.

 

[czechsonofagun]

Actually 8 breeds. I would stick to two or three max since from my understanding of things i believe the bigger group is better, but the wife had such a merry time with the catalog - I let her go off.

Building the coop to make for efficcient operation is the most time consuming part. I want it very accessible when open - to get in with a power washer once a year, litter box under roosting bars and I want it to look good too.

Will post pix eventually.

Thnx for the support guys.

 

[bigbull338]

the best thing for the eves is hardware clothe.an hardware clothe for the windows as well.frame it with 2 by 4s an use sheet iron for the sides an roof.

 

[tcreeley]

Provide plenty of nesting boxes to collect your eggs. You'll be getting eggs this fall.
I insulated my 8x12 chicken coop for my 12 barred rocks. (walls, ceiling, floor). The temp can easily get down to 15 -20 below. I've got a lowered ceiling with a vented air pocket above. I've got a 3" vent pipe to get rid of the excess moisture through the ceiling above. I have a heated base 8 gallon water tank/fountain for them and a 100 watt ceramic infrared heater to take the edge off. Their 4-5 inches of build up on the floor provides warmth as well. I shut them in at night against the racoons. I have two large insulated glass windows (yard sale) for light and summer ventilation.
Good luck. Before I insulated I used to see frost bite blackened combs after real cold days.

 

[MotorSeven]

Czeh, I left a 1" space between rafters for ventilation, but I did put 1/2" foam board down under the tin to keep them warmer in winter/cooler in summer.

As for predators, I can say without a doubt the best prevention is an electric fence around the coop. I lost a ton of birds over the years until I went eeeee-lectric.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/199912-solid-cedar-predator-resistant-chicken.html

 

[tcreeley]

Czeh, I left a 1" space between rafters for ventilation, but I did put 1/2" foam board down under the tin to keep them warmer in winter/cooler in summer.

As for predators, I can say without a doubt the best prevention is an electric fence around the coop. I lost a ton of birds over the years until I went eeeee-lectric.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/199912-solid-cedar-predator-resistant-chicken.html

I think weasels can get through a 1" space. I'd consider some hardware cloth over that to allow the air without the vermin!