JuliaSunshine
Songster
I'm building a run and a coop again and hoping third time's a charm.
The new covered 12'X22' run will be completely predator proof with hardware cloth and the chickens will have access 24/7 to the run from the coop.
It's pretty mild in the winter here, usually around 40F. The lowest was 10F and it's very rare.
I have 9 hens and might have up to 20 in the future but more likely 15 in winter.
I know you need 4 square feet per bird in a coop but does that rule apply when they can access a secure run all the time? The coop's sides can be covered with clear plastic to block wind.
I think they'll use the coop mainly for sleeping. They will have a free range space outside the run as well.
I was thinking of building a 12'X8' coop, raised 18"off the ground, in the run with a wall splitting the coop in half so they'll be using the half 6'X8' for sleeping and the other half will be used by occasional injured or broody chickens and these guys will have a seperate run space. I'll also raise handful of chicks once a year in there.
When I don't have any of those, this space can be open to the chickens to come in and hang out even though I think they'll usually prefer being outside.
But I'm wondering if it will be okay to build a smaller coop like 12X6, which will make their sleeping space 6x6 but it'll add more space to their run.
Or will it be better making the sleeping area bigger?
What are benefits of building a big space for sleeping?
The new covered 12'X22' run will be completely predator proof with hardware cloth and the chickens will have access 24/7 to the run from the coop.
It's pretty mild in the winter here, usually around 40F. The lowest was 10F and it's very rare.
I have 9 hens and might have up to 20 in the future but more likely 15 in winter.
I know you need 4 square feet per bird in a coop but does that rule apply when they can access a secure run all the time? The coop's sides can be covered with clear plastic to block wind.
I think they'll use the coop mainly for sleeping. They will have a free range space outside the run as well.
I was thinking of building a 12'X8' coop, raised 18"off the ground, in the run with a wall splitting the coop in half so they'll be using the half 6'X8' for sleeping and the other half will be used by occasional injured or broody chickens and these guys will have a seperate run space. I'll also raise handful of chicks once a year in there.
When I don't have any of those, this space can be open to the chickens to come in and hang out even though I think they'll usually prefer being outside.
But I'm wondering if it will be okay to build a smaller coop like 12X6, which will make their sleeping space 6x6 but it'll add more space to their run.
Or will it be better making the sleeping area bigger?
What are benefits of building a big space for sleeping?