Asked on Dec 13, 2011

I am thinking about getting some egg laying chickens.

Phil Bauman
by Phil Bauman
only 3-6 to start. In zone 7B it gets quite cold during the winter. I am trying to build a coop, but am stuck on the size, Should it be large enough to walk into? how big must the intial size of the chicken run be? If i want the chickens to be very happy, with more than enough room, when they can not be complete free to roam around. how about the hieght and size or the wire fencing? I have chicken wire, which I have all ready have purchased 100'x5' feet and 100'x2' feet, but i have heard it to big, to prevent predetors from getting in. Also which would be healthier hybreds or heritage breeds?
Any takers?
  7 answers
  • Phil, This topic was discussed a while back and I remember finding an article for another member regarding building chicken coops - http://www.networx.com/article/building-a-chicken-coop It is interesting to read a comment by person that was left under this article, this is what he says "Constructing your own chicken coop can be fun, exciting and rewarding. Learn the joy of building your own koop and providing your chickens with a secure and well built home. Come find all the information you need at Chickens Nesting Boxes - http://www.backyardchickens.com/coops/nestingbox.html I am Ernie Jones and I have been raising chickens and building my own koops for quite some time. I am no professional carpenter but have build many great koops. I invite you to come see my site and read my free mini-course on ""Building the Perfect Chicken Koop Without Being a Contractor" by clicking to http://www.ChickenKoopCenter.com"
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Dec 13, 2011
    One of the trends in raising chickens is to "pasture" them over natural turf. Having a "mobile" design allows them access to a fresh chunk of your yard yet still have some predator protection. These mobile designs are called chicken tractors. here are some more articles http://www.networx.com/article/raising-hens-at-home http://www.motherearthnews.com/sustainable-farming/chicken-tractor-for-pastured-poultry.aspx Mark and Anna over at the "walden effect" have been raising chickens for years and they came up with a design of a watering device that solves many problems. I have bounced some comments back and forthwith them over the years you can visit their site at the following link. http://www.waldeneffect.org/ You can order a waterer there too...if you contact them tell them Kevin at KMS Woodworks says HI.....Mark posted a link about my solar generator a while back.
  • Phil Bauman Phil Bauman on Dec 13, 2011
    Thanks for the answers, but I'm still hoping for more ideas. But this is a geat start. Thank you veru much,have some great links
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Dec 14, 2011
    When my buddy was raising chickens in his back yard (before he moved to New Zealand), he built a fixed coop that was mid sized with a removable panel. The smaller size allowed for a warmer coop and the panel allowed him to get in there now and then to do some cleaning work, the nesting areas had a smaller hatches that allowed for egg harvesting, He had a fenced area near the coop that they could graze in but he also let them free range in his fenced back yard. This was in an suburban neighborhood so predator protection was negligible.
  • Phil Bauman Phil Bauman on Dec 18, 2011
    If I was to have a maximum of 6 chickens, Could I keep them close to my house? Or would that be a stinky idea?
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Dec 18, 2011
    The smell all depends on how dedicated you are to keeping it clean...just like a cat box in the house...I have been in homes where I never knew they had a cat..others it assaults you the minute you walk in. Outdoors the problem is greatly reduced by wind