Need advise for a Georgia chicken coop!

[amandaleigh]

Hello! I am new to the chicken scene and have been bugging the man of the house for months to build me a coop! Today he thought it would be a good challenge for me to build it ON MY OWN..

I have never built anything in my life but I am pretty sure I can do it (even if I need a little help from him...he owns a construction company and is very handy). I guess I am just needing a little guidance, I want 4-6 chickens and we live in Georgia. I know how big the run will be but I don't know how big to build the actual coop. I would like to be able to go inside so I can keep it clean but I am afraid they will get cold in the winter. Any advise will be appreciated!

By the way, we have 4 boys (5,6,7 and 9) and Rose our chocolate lab who so far hasn't bothered our neighbors chickens(who frequent our yard) she is more of a duck dog

THANKS! Amanda

 

[the Pollo Loco]

really easy... just build it in panels and then put the panels together and put a roof on it... it's just that simple. good luck!!!

 

[henpeckedmuch]

First of all, your chickens won't get cold, that is what feathers are for. Ever feed sparows in the winter? Who heats there house? A friend of mine Dorthy Jarvy of Negaunee Michigan, In the far upper peninsular where it gets down to 40 degrees below 0. never heated her small barn. She had a dozen chickens. Her last chicken died at 16 or 18 yrs old. What they do need is somewhere dry, out of the draft, and safe. Another friend of mine in Wilmington NC has his chickens outside in a small run with nothing but a roof over them. I think that is extreme. I have mine in a coop with the a 5 inch opening around the top of 3 sides covered in wire for ventilation. In the summer I remove the removable wood floor to expose 1/2 in wire flooring. There have been several studies made of 3 sided coops in places like Wyoming and Colorado.

 

[FarmerRob]

I agree completely with hempeckedmuch. Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation is the key to keeping the chicks healthy. Only time you need to worry about heat lamps is when you are brooding baby chicks. Once they are fully feathered they are insulated. Check out Robert Plamondon at: http://www.plamondon.com for some good info on what you really want in a coop. Don't forget to predator proof your fencing around the coop and run and over the top of it too.

 

[Newwell]

Size wise for the coop - figure 4 sq ft @ standard-sized chickens & 3 sq ft for smaller breeds. So if you want 6 chickens = 24 q ft. This gives them enough room to play & stay happy.

 

[Mother_Hen2011]

My coops was pre built and over 20 years old or I would help ya out but I will bump the page and give a BIG GIANT

 

[georgiagail]

Another Georgia chicken owner (where are you located?)

How we did our first one....

Four by eight; houses eight chickens.

Gail

 

[amandaleigh]

Thank you to everyone for the ideas/advise! I am going to draw up my plans today

I know it will be a while before it's complete but I am still so excited! And for those who asked we are about 30 miles south of Atlanta!

 

[buffs only]

I also live in GA and the heat of summer is a bigger concern that the cold of winter. I would cover my run area so that they will have shade in the hot summers[/img

 

[JimXoc]

I am in Suwanee GA ...

I like your design ..!!

How do you protect against predators ?

I am about to build a new Coop and I am thinking about making it moveable ... I want to do about 6 to 8 chickens. Have you got an thouights based on your experience?

I am handy and can build most things out of wood with no problem.

thanks so much !

Jim