OldNo7BoozeBag
Hatching
- Feb 24, 2025
- 3
- 3
- 6
My family is new to chickens, so we welcome and appreciate any and all advice and suggestions!! I have researched on this forum, in a few books, and the internet, but have some found inconsistencies in what should be where and reasons behind it. We are planning on getting 16 egg layers. I do not anticipate going over this number and would think this would be the most we would ever have since we are a family of four, but I'm building to accommodate 20 birds because, just because stuff happens, haha. I have attached my preliminary layout of the coop and run. The locations (not size) are pretty much set where they have to be because of my property layout, but I'm always open to any suggestions.
I live in high desert on the western slope of Colorado at 5200ft elevation. While precipitation is minimal, wind is not minimal whatsoever and is a concern enough where I've included it in my diagram. When we get winds, they can be steady 25mph. There is no natural protection from the wind and the birds will be exposed to it just like the rest of us here are. Winter temperatures are regularly in the teens at night, some single digits, and very, very few negatives, with big swings during the day, usually 30 degree increases if the sun is out, which it usually is. Summer temps reach 100 degrees regularly and get the same big swings at night down to 70 or 60 degrees.
I have a bunch of ideas regarding the coop design, but want the whole layout set before putting those on paper because they will change after I get feedback from you guys about the layout with the attached run. The coop will be 8'x10' with a 1' overhang all the way around so the footprint in the layout above is 10'x12'. The area is on a grade. The east side of the coop will be 1.5' off the ground and the west side will be maybe 2' to 2.5' off the ground. While in the run, the chickens will have access to the area under the coop for shade and shelter. I plan on or have questions about the following:
-I plan to put nesting boxes on the east wall and they will be accessible from the outside.
-Which side should I put the chicken door? I would like to put it on the west side just so they have a straight shot into the run, but I'm worried about the wind (drafts, blowing things around inside the coop, etc.). Should I put it on the south wall and extend the run or am I over thinking this?
-Which side should I put the door for us to access the coop for cleaning etc.? I'm along the same lines of thinking and have the same questions as above for the chicken door.
-I plan to add built in storage to the coop for supplies, feed, etc. What size storage would be good for 20 birds?
thanks in advance for help on our latest adventure!!
-Jay
I live in high desert on the western slope of Colorado at 5200ft elevation. While precipitation is minimal, wind is not minimal whatsoever and is a concern enough where I've included it in my diagram. When we get winds, they can be steady 25mph. There is no natural protection from the wind and the birds will be exposed to it just like the rest of us here are. Winter temperatures are regularly in the teens at night, some single digits, and very, very few negatives, with big swings during the day, usually 30 degree increases if the sun is out, which it usually is. Summer temps reach 100 degrees regularly and get the same big swings at night down to 70 or 60 degrees.
I have a bunch of ideas regarding the coop design, but want the whole layout set before putting those on paper because they will change after I get feedback from you guys about the layout with the attached run. The coop will be 8'x10' with a 1' overhang all the way around so the footprint in the layout above is 10'x12'. The area is on a grade. The east side of the coop will be 1.5' off the ground and the west side will be maybe 2' to 2.5' off the ground. While in the run, the chickens will have access to the area under the coop for shade and shelter. I plan on or have questions about the following:
-I plan to put nesting boxes on the east wall and they will be accessible from the outside.
-Which side should I put the chicken door? I would like to put it on the west side just so they have a straight shot into the run, but I'm worried about the wind (drafts, blowing things around inside the coop, etc.). Should I put it on the south wall and extend the run or am I over thinking this?
-Which side should I put the door for us to access the coop for cleaning etc.? I'm along the same lines of thinking and have the same questions as above for the chicken door.
-I plan to add built in storage to the coop for supplies, feed, etc. What size storage would be good for 20 birds?
thanks in advance for help on our latest adventure!!
-Jay
