Building First Coop/Run

[Gburn770]

Hey there! There is a lot of varying information online. I’ve read and watched a LOT. I’m thinking about building my own. Here’s my thoughts. I don’t have a huge yard but I like the idea of being able to move my coop around. So, I’ll build it on wheels. I want to get 5 hens. Is a 8x5 run big enough? I’m going to build the coop as a 2nd level inside the run. So part of the 8x5 would be under the coop. The coop itself I’m thinking 5x3’ or 4’. I’m going to build out of 2x4. Then Add wheels to the back so I can roll it. Seems small to me? Is it enough space? I want them to be comfortable lol.

 

[TooCheep]

Hey @Gburn770. Please put your general location in your profile. It will help us to help you if you have questions that are affected by location/climate.

The commonly recommended minimums (assuming full-sized chickens) are 4sqft/bird in the coop, 10sqft/bird in the run, 1ft/bird roost in the coop and 2+ nest boxes for a group that size. Your numbers are a little tight, but better than pre-fab coops.

I used a tractor similar to that for the first 4 years in my 1/10th acre backyard. It worked, but was very heavy at 7'x4' and was hard to maneuver. If you have a larger flat property and mostly are pulling it straight, it is much easier than if you are constantly trying to turn it.

Be prepared to park your tractor in winters (assuming you have snow/ice/mud). Those winter parking areas will have all grass killed before you can move it again in the spring. Chicken tractors can be fairly secure, but never as secure as stationary coops/runs since you can't really guard against digging critters very well.

As much as I liked the advantages of a chicken tractor, I gave up on it and I was only dealing with 3 chickens.

Here is a picture of my tractor. It had a 2"x6" base and the rest was an upgraded 2"x2" pre-fab coop.

 

[BDutch]

Hey there! There is a lot of varying information online. I’ve read and watched a LOT. I’m thinking about building my own. Here’s my thoughts. I don’t have a huge yard but I like the idea of being able to move my coop around. So, I’ll build it on wheels. I want to get 5 hens. Is a 8x5 run big enough? I’m going to build the coop as a 2nd level inside the run. So part of the 8x5 would be under the coop. The coop itself I’m thinking 5x3’ or 4’. I’m going to build out of 2x4. Then Add wheels to the back so I can roll it. Seems small to me? Is it enough space? I want them to be comfortable lol.

Even for bantams such a run is very tight. If you can free range a few hours daily, it might work. Depending on the location (cold/heat/predators).

 

[aart]

Seems small to me?

It is.

 

[Gburn770]

Hey @Gburn770. Please put your general location in your profile. It will help us to help you if you have questions that are affected by location/climate.

The commonly recommended minimums (assuming full-sized chickens) are 4sqft/bird in the coop, 10sqft/bird in the run, 1ft/bird roost in the coop and 2+ nest boxes for a group that size. Your numbers are a little tight, but better than pre-fab coops.

I used a tractor similar to that for the first 4 years in my 1/10th acre backyard. It worked, but was very heavy at 7'x4' and was hard to maneuver. If you have a larger flat property and mostly are pulling it straight, it is much easier than if you are constantly trying to turn it.

Be prepared to park your tractor in winters (assuming you have snow/ice/mud). Those winter parking areas will have all grass killed before you can move it again in the spring. Chicken tractors can be fairly secure, but never as secure as stationary coops/runs since you can't really guard against digging critters very well.

As much as I liked the advantages of a chicken tractor, I gave up on it and I was only dealing with 3 chickens.

Here is a picture of my tractor. It had a 2"x6" base and the rest was an upgraded 2"x2" pre-fab coop.
View attachment 4034915

I was contemplating a stationary coop. I could definitely make it a bit bigger if I did. How do you keep the smell down without moving it throughout the yard?

 

[Gburn770]

I was contemplating a stationary coop. I could definitely make it a bit bigger if I did. How do you keep the smell down without moving it throughout the yard?

And I will add that now, thanks for the heads up. I’m in Georgia

 

[TooCheep]

I was contemplating a stationary coop. I could definitely make it a bit bigger if I did. How do you keep the smell down without moving it throughout the yard?

Do some searching on "deep litter" on this site. Basically, you use a high carbon material (wood shavings, leaves, etc) several inches thick. The poo falls into it, dries out and get scratched around. The bedding greatly holds down the smell and the two break down over time and create an excellent organic compost for gardens/etc. I save dried fall leaves each year for this purpose.

 

[BDutch]

I was contemplating a stationary coop. I could definitely make it a bit bigger if I did. How do you keep the smell down without moving it throughout the yard?

Ventilation-ventilation-ventilation

Lots of fresh air + dry -> no smell.