MN Coops - how big is too big?

[Brown Chicken Lady]

16 chickens… large (Plymouth Rock, Delaware, Sussex, Bielefelder, amerucana)

I will be building my first coop EVER this month. I have found plans for a 10 x 10 ft Lean to Shed on construct101.com

My question is the back wall is 9’ the front wall is 11’.

That feels excessively tall for chickens. My worry is winter…in MN we often sit below zero for weeks. -40 is not unheard of.

Is this too tall for them to keep warm with just their body heat? I am not going to heat it - planning on the deep litter method so there may be some heat there.???

Maybe insulate?

 

[Anime2lover]

16 chickens… large (Plymouth Rock, Delaware, Sussex, Bielefelder, amerucana)

I will be building my first coop EVER this month. I have found plans for a 10 x 10 ft Lean to Shed on construct101.com

My question is the back wall is 9’ the front wall is 11’.

That feels excessively tall for chickens. My worry is winter…in MN we often sit below zero for weeks. -40 is not unheard of.

Is this too tall for them to keep warm with just their body heat? I am not going to heat it - planning on the deep litter method so there may be some heat there.???

Maybe insulate?

There is no to big. Build as big as you can afford if you wish to.

 

[Anime2lover]

16 chickens… large (Plymouth Rock, Delaware, Sussex, Bielefelder, amerucana)

I will be building my first coop EVER this month. I have found plans for a 10 x 10 ft Lean to Shed on construct101.com

My question is the back wall is 9’ the front wall is 11’.

That feels excessively tall for chickens. My worry is winter…in MN we often sit below zero for weeks. -40 is not unheard of.

Is this too tall for them to keep warm with just their body heat? I am not going to heat it - planning on the deep litter method so there may be some heat there.???

Maybe insulate?

Chickens usually huddle together for warmth if they need it. Unless you live in the arctic heat shouldn't be needed.

 

[aart]

16 chickens… large (Plymouth Rock, Delaware, Sussex, Bielefelder, amerucana)

I will be building my first coop EVER this month. I have found plans for a 10 x 10 ft Lean to Shed on construct101.com

My question is the back wall is 9’ the front wall is 11’.

That feels excessively tall for chickens. My worry is winter…in MN we often sit below zero for weeks. -40 is not unheard of.

Is this too tall for them to keep warm with just their body heat? I am not going to heat it - planning on the deep litter method so there may be some heat there.???

Maybe insulate?

This is a fallacy.
The chickens don't heat the coop, they only heat their own bodies under all those feathers....and deep litter is not going to heat the coop either.

Ventilation is way more important than heat and the higher up it is the better.
Large roof overhangs all around with soffit and gable venting is very good for cold climate coop ventilation.

Here's some good tips for cold climate:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

You might also check out your state thread for advice:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/minnesota.72771/

 

[SandyRiverChick]

My coop has quadrupled in size since I started out, no such thing as too big, only too small. Take the time to insulate it and you'll never be worried about them getting too cold. Even if it's true that birds are just fine in nothing but a wooden box, I prefer the peace of mind, knowing that it's insulated and always warm enough/cool enough.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Agree with @aart. Ventilation ventilation ventilation.
Regarding the height of the walls being 9 ft and 11 ft, That seems a bit tall but if you consider ventilation needs the height would allow you to have 1 ft vents from roof down on both walls. Adding the extra large overhangs will keep the elements out.

 

[3KillerBs]

I haven't seen anyone regret making a coop too big except when looking at their budget.

The height is excellent for getting good ventilation up above the birds' heads so that they'll be well-protected from drafts.

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

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/cold-weather-poultry-housing-and-care.72010/

 

[rosemarythyme]

Depending on the style of the coop (i.e. Woods coop should be built exactly as specified) you can probably lower the ceiling a bit if you want. Slope of roof is the main consideration in your location to allow snow to shed off. My coop is maybe 9.5' or 10' at the peak? Good for extra air volume, but it does make it harder to do maintenance as I have to get on a ladder.

 

[RojoMarz]

We added a "skylight" across the front of ours. It has been great for getting more natural light inside as the attached run is covered.