Building a coop!

[Pixanthe]

Hi everyone!

So I'll be getting my chicks in May- between 8 or 10 black Australorp hens, and 1 rooster.

My husband is amazing at building, and is insisting on building our own coop, but neither of us really understand exactly how much room is needed for it, or the run.

I'm mostly curious about dimensions and items (including height as well as length or number or roost bars) as we have a style in mind, but I'm also curious about the possibility of having a mobile coop and run?

I ask because my cousin will be getting his own chickens, and doesn't want to have any running free in his yard, but wants to be able to move them daily.

Personally I'm not sure how that'd work, with but maybe you all will have some ideas

*additional information: we live on about 4-ish acres so space, in general, isn't a real issue. My cousin just doesn't want the chickens to scratch all the grass up But I'd personally not mind lol.

 

[nuthatched]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/medium-coops.19/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/over-sized-isnt-just-for-sweaters.77604/

 

[rosemarythyme]

Bare minimum basics to calculate for, per hen (roosters need a bit more space): 4 sq ft floor space in coop not including nests, 1 sq ft ventilation open 24x7, 1 linear ft in roost, 1 nest box per 3-4 hens. 10 sq ft in run. Climate affects those numbers so without knowing where you are/what type of climate you have, consider those minimums to apply for moderate climates only.

Since you have 4 acres I wouldn't skimp on space. Chickens don't have health and behavioral issues with too much space but definitely can have them with too little space.

For point of reference I built for a flock of 12 hens. Coop is 60 sq ft and run is an additional 440 sq ft.

Also you didn't ask about this, but if eggs are your main priority and you are set on a flock of 11 max, best to not get all your chickens at once and stagger flock ages instead for more consistent egg production, as hens are only at max production the first 1.5-2 years of their lives. After that you will have winters with little to no production, and as they age their production overall will decline with each passing year (my flock is staggered at 8, 6, 4 yrs and under 1 year olds right now). But in order to add new layers you will want extra room for integration, so something to keep in mind.

A mobile coop and run works for some folks but they can be heavy and be difficult to move without a tractor, and greatly favor flat expanses of land, so not sure if that'd be an issue for you. They're also harder to predator proof.

 

[aart]

I highly suggest that you sketch out your plans on graph paper before cutting any lumber. Post plans here for help with any tweaking that might be needed.
Knowing your climate will help us help you....so....
Oh, and....Welcome to BYC! @Pixanthe
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Penpal]

You shouldn't have problems with the lawn on four acres. The chickens will want a dust bath, but choose a spot in the yard and dig up a dust bath "box" for them. Add sand over the top. This should attract them to your chosen spot instead of a place you don't want them to scratch up.