Coops & Runs for San Diego County

[margiedickinson]

Hi BYC Members,

I am a complete newbie to chickens. I want to start a flock at our semi-rural residence in San Diego County, Vista to be specific. I have done a lot of reading on care and feeding, but I can't decide the best type of coop and run to get. I want to start with 4 chicks, but have room to expand to 8 or so. What type of coop is best for this climate and predator threat -- coyotes, hawks, racoons, skunks, snakes, etc? Do I get a coop that I can stand up in for ease of cleaning? Is a raised coop better for keeping out predators? Please share your advice and mistakes. Many Thanks!

 

[igorsMistress]

Welcome to BYC!

I’m going to suggest you do the stand up option for ease of cleaning. Bigger than you think you need is always better because chicken math is a real thing.

You can use a skirt buried under the ground around your coop, and run if you’re building one, to keep out digging predators. A run covered in 1/4 HWC to keep out all but the smallest snakes will also prevent raccoons from reaching in and help with mice. Same goes for any windows on the coop. A padlock on the door would keep out raccoons.

I have no suggestions for a coop, my climate is very different. Here’s a link to the coop articles , give it a browse because there are tons of great ideas
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/categories/chicken-coops.12/

 

[aart]

What type of coop is best for this climate

What is your climate, winter&summer highs&lows, precipitation etc?

...in San Diego County, Vista to be specific...

Welcome to BYC! @margiedickinson
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[vall]

You don't need a typical coop like the prefab ones since the weather is mild. Keep it open and airy with as much hardware cloth (instead of solid walls) as possible. If you have a shady spot in your yard, locating it there is a plus for the hottest days. @igorsMistress actually your coop should work here

 

[igorsMistress]

You don't need a typical coop like the prefab ones since the weather is mild. Keep it open and airy with as much hardware cloth (instead of solid walls) as possible. If you have a shady spot in your yard, locating it there is a plus for the hottest days. @igorsMistress actually your coop should work here

Good to know, thanks. I’m not super familiar with the weather patterns there.

 

[perkolator]

I have a bunch of family in Vista and it’s very mild SoCal climate, with a few microclimate areas that can get colder. I know coyotes are a common larger predator there.

My sister wants chickens and for her coop we determined using dog kennel fence panels, chain link panels, or a cattle panel hoop coop would be good choices without having to fabricate much, and provide good strength against a coyote once it’s got hardware cloth perimeter and skirt installed on it.

Inside the run for a coop she’s going to use either a kids playhouse, an upcycled furniture type structure (armoire, dresser, cabinets, etc), or a simple pallet wood coop…or just go open air with maybe a windblock wall or something simple.

 

[3KillerBs]

Welcome to BYC.

IIRC, you're in a warm-to-hot climate, right?

Consider an Open Air coop -- a big wire box with a 3-sided shelter at one end.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/jens-hens-a-southern-texas-coop.75707/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-positive-local-action-coop.72804/
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/california-living.68130/

I don't have a coop page for my own Open Air coop yet, but it's featured in my hot weather article: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

Some basic information in re: coops,

The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

4 hens

• 16 square feet in the coop. 4'x4' is the only really practical build for this given the common dimensions of lumber.
• 4 feet of roost
• 40 square feet in the run. 4'x10' or 5'x8'. 6'x6' is a bit too small, 6'x8' is more generous and easier to build than 5'x8'.
• 4 square feet of ventilation. A 2'x2' window is theoretically enough, but in practice doesn't create any air FLOW so better to spread the venting around (and even better to exceed the minimums, especially in warm climates).
• 2 nest boxes, to give the hens a choice

8 hens

• 32 square feet in the coop. 4'x8' is approaching the limits for a non-walk-in coop even with the access door in the middle. 6'x6' should be walk-in because even the tallest chicken-keeper won't be able to reach the far wall.
• 8 feet of roost
• 80 square feet in the run. 8'x10' is a nice looking number but, remembering the common dimensions of lumber, a roomier 8'x12' is actually easier to build. 6'x14' looks good on paper but would require a lot of weird cuts.
• 8 square feet of ventilation.
• 2-3 nest boxes.

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