Coop Interior Input Needed!

[MuthaCluckas]

Hello! I am in the midst of building my new (&first personal) coop. I have combed through forums & articles for more specifics/input on how to design the interior, but there's so many different ways that work differently for everyone. Considering the basics needed/required (minimums per chicken to keep it simple); 4 sq. ft. [coop floor], 1 sq. ft. [roosting space], 12"x12"x12" [nesting boxes (4 chickens per)] - if you can think of anything you've done that you would change, or didn't do that you wish you did, PLEASE take a second & help me by taking this poll (w/possible reasons why or why not)! Tyia!
[[[This is all under the assumption you are not currently able to free range]]]

 

[nuthatched]

I'd definitely do bigger next boxes 12x12 is tiny. As much ventilation as possible.
How many birds are you planning on?

 

[StinkyAcres]

I agree with allowing for as much ventilation as possible without introducing drafts and building larger nesting boxes.

Considering your climate and the fact your coop will have a partition, I voted interior nesting boxes placed in the partition wall so the eggs are still accessed from outside the coop portion, but they are more protected from freezing temps/bad weather.

As for questions E and F, I don't really have a preference. Nesting box curtains, however, do have a practical purpose and are not just decorative.

 

[StinkyAcres]

As for questions E and F, I don't really have a preference.

Just know that if you do add decor it will get dusty and disgusting fast, even if it's in an adjacent room. It will be more work to keep it clean.

 

[MuthaCluckas]

I'd definitely do bigger next boxes 12x12 is tiny. As much ventilation as possible.
How many birds are you planning on?

My coop plans are 11'x8' (5' of personal/storage area making it 16'x8' altogether) with a 21'x12' run. I have 18 chicks coming this May. There is a poll up above for responses as well that would be helpful! (I like researching my statistics lol) I saw several sources state 12"x12" as standard, do you have insight to why it should be bigger? And what would you recommend?

 

[nuthatched]

My coop plans are 11'x8' (5' of personal/storage area making it 16'x8' altogether) with a 21'x12' run. I have 18 chicks coming this May. There is a poll up above for responses as well that would be helpful! (I like researching my statistics lol) I saw several sources state 12"x12" as standard, do you have insight to why it should be bigger? And what would you recommend?

The poll, to be honest, doesn't provide enough options, even then not many of the options are realistic.
Chickens stand up to lay, I'd opt for a 16x16 nest box. :]

 

[MuthaCluckas]

I agree with allowing for as much ventilation as possible without introducing drafts and building larger nesting boxes.

Considering your climate and the fact your coop will have a partition, I voted interior nesting boxes placed in the partition wall so the eggs are still accessed from outside the coop portion, but they are more protected from freezing temps/bad weather.

As for questions E and F, I don't really have a preference. Nesting box curtains, however, do have a practical purpose and are not just decorative.

I hadn't even considered the boxes being on the partition wall....genius! And forgive my choice of wording for "decor". On this journey of doing this all myself, I still have my MIL's objections that I'm "doing too much" or "being too extra" with things such as I listed. I don't actually consider them as sole decoration. I'm not totally aware of what exact function a nesting box curtain provides.. but common sense tells me it's extra security for laying hens (please educate me if I'm wrong!) that I can make look appealing to my own eyes. Or like wallpaper...just for an easier surface to clean as I know it'll be splattered with poop lol...but appeasing to look at in the meantime!

 

[MuthaCluckas]

The poll, to be honest, doesn't provide enough options, even then not many of the options are realistic.
Chickens stand up to lay, I'd opt for a 16x16 nest box.

The options listed in the poll are just the last things I really needed insight & information for as I'm nearing the part of construction where these will be the focus. Other things I've seen in similar "what would you have done differently" posts like a 'brooder/introduction pen', secure feed storage area, and similar concepts - I've found enough research and input on to make a well-informed decision on implementing into my build. I will definitely keep in mind the standing to lay (the poll should've said 14"x14"x16") and was leaning more to bigger myself.

 

[AlbusAbaforthFrodoSerius]

I'm in the middle of building a garden in my chicken run so that my chickens have healthy greens that prevent disease I was just wondering what plants I should put in with Oregano

 

[DobieLover]

I'm in the middle of building a garden in my chicken run so that my chickens have healthy greens that prevent disease I was just wondering what plants I should put in with Oregano

You will have no garden in your chicken run OR your chickens will lose the space in their run to the garden. You can't have both. Chickens will destroy a garden in a run.