@@SpottyCreekFarm Getting 25 dual purpose chickens this March. I am building the coop now, 10' x 6' with a 75' chicken run. Hope it is large enough. I plan to cull most of the roosters when they are older.
@@SpottyCreekFarm I actually give all excess produce to a Community kitchen. I want meat chickens and some eggs because I am concerned about the future availability of food at reasonable prices in this country.
Very minimal figures. I have double that, very spacious. But 1.5x the minimal figures would be good without being too crowded. Some of it is really to do with climate (whether too hot, or too cold), and for example, in very cold climates, if they are going to be in the coop during that season. But the most important factor for newbies, design it far bigger than your initial needs, as newbie chicken keepers find they love it and want more chickens (ie "chicken math"). Also I found, have coops/runs that you can divide up (for introducing new chickens, isolate injured or bossy chickens, etc).
Good video. Only question that's not answered is does the run size still need to be 3-5sqft per bird if your chickens are free range during the day and you only lock them in the coop at night to keep them safe from nocturnal predators? I was planning to build my coop 6x6 feet but now that we have 18 hens coming, might need to go a bit larger, perhaps 8x6.
I'm planning a coop for a lot of chickens and it can get cold during winter so I want it to be cozy so like what would you say for height? I'm making a plan where people don't walk inside and the chickens I'm planning to get can't fly very high so I'm gonna be having pretty low roosts, only like 8 inches off the floor for the lowest (when deep litter method is full), so I wanna make sure I don't build it too high where it's harder for them to keep warm
Height really won't matter that awful much. When they are cold they sit down on their feet on the roosts and huddle close together. I would make the roof high enough you feel comfortable cleaning out the coop.
So I already watched this video but was hoping to find a video that showed exactly what you are describing and what it would look like. So i find the chicken playlist figuring that's where it would be. 2nd video in the chicken playlist is a Comedy Central roast. Now I'm even more confused. 😂
Since the chickens are only secured in the coop overnight or in inclement weather, I never place water or a feeder inside the coop. Chickens will rapidly foul water in the coop, and any food will draw rodents into the coop, which you definitely don't want. Place water and feeders just outside the coop door, you can watch the levels and it makes for a much cleaner setup. Even in deep snow, my girls will venture out for food and a drink!
That is going to be personal preference. How low are you willing it stoop when you clean it out? I'm 6'3" so I wouldn't want to go less than 5 ft. I definitely wouldn't want to clean chicken poop on my hands and knees
I’m 6’ 1” so I agree! Lol. This is going to be a breeding set up so plan will be repeated multiple times so I wanted to save some money on it where I could but not jeopardize the health of the birds.
If all the food and water are in the run and the run allows for 10sqft per bird, providing there’s plenty of ventilation, why not just build the coop big enough to provide 10” per bird on the roost and access to the exit and enough nesting boxes for your birds?
First number is for 12 chickens, second number is for 25 chickens. If you are getting bigger birds you might want to increase all of the numbers a little. Coop Floor Space 36 sf to 75 sf (minimum) Roost Space 120" to 250" Nesting Boxes 3 to 6 Run 48 sf to 100 sf The more the better.
Incorrect information. Ive been raising chickens for 12 years and USDA minimums call for 4' sqft per bird indoor coop space and 10sqft outdoor space. 1 full foot of roost space and nest boxes should be 12x12x18" tall. Again, these are MINIMUMS. This man is seriously overcrowding his birds. Also, please make your roosts out of 2x4 laid flat. It protects vulnerable feet from frostbite and NEVER EVER EVER put waterers inside your coop! Frostbite central in winter and fungus in the summer! Just dont do it. Get a heated dog bowl for winter.
Thank you for your input. When I read your comment, I was concerned that the information that came out of my research might be incorrect or that I had misread something. We take the health of all of our animals seriously, as I am sure you do. It had not occurred to me to check with the USDA on their recommendations. After searching their website for 20 minutes, I found the following. ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-is-the-space-requirement-for-keeping-poultry-or-livestock It says "Space requirements for poultry and other animals are not mandated by the federal government, but rather at the local, county, and state levels, so we recommend you contact local authorities. Contact information for state, county, and local governments can be found at www.usa.gov by selecting "Find Government Agencies" at the top of the page. For questions or advice about raising animals, we recommend that you contact your local county agent/extension service. Contact information can be accessed at nifa.usda.gov/partners-and-extension-map. The phone number for the extension service of your state university can also be found in the blue government pages of your local telephone book." Which is what I did. I used this article content.ces.ncsu.edu/keeping-garden-chickens-in-north-carolina from North Carolina State University and this article extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C969 from the University of Georgia as well as articles from other major universities and local extension offices during my research. NCSU and UGA are two of the top agricultural universities in the nation. The dimensions provided in my video are the general consensus of those articles. Please do not take this as an attack. It is not intended as one. I only want my followers to know that I did do the research and that the information I provide is from credible sources.
That's funny, I saw a documentary the other day that said 1 and 1/2 square feet per bird per USDA, the documentary was about laying hens. Someone's giving you the wrong information.
Great advice....very practical.....new subscriber
Thank you! Do you have chickens?
@@SpottyCreekFarm Getting 25 dual purpose chickens this March. I am building the coop now, 10' x 6' with a 75' chicken run. Hope it is large enough. I plan to cull most of the roosters when they are older.
@@thefrenchgardener1865 Sounds like you should have plenty of room. Are you planning on selling eggs?
@@SpottyCreekFarm I actually give all excess produce to a Community kitchen. I want meat chickens and some eggs because I am concerned about the future availability of food at reasonable prices in this country.
@@thefrenchgardener1865 Giving excess food to the kitchens is so nice of you. I get your concern about food prices. We have the same concerns.
Plain and simple. Applying those principles as I type. Thanks you fellow homesteader.
Great info, man. Simple, to the point, and included the math. Thank you so much! I wish you and yours a wonderful, happy life!
Thank you so much! Best wishes to you and yours as well.
Thanks!!! Very simple and cohesive 🙌
Very interesting. Thank you for teaching us city slickers about chickens
So nice of you
Really really helpful!
Thank you! Is there anything you like specifically to see a video on ?
Great, concise info
Glad you liked it
Very minimal figures. I have double that, very spacious. But 1.5x the minimal figures would be good without being too crowded.
Some of it is really to do with climate (whether too hot, or too cold), and for example, in very cold climates, if they are going to be in the coop during that season.
But the most important factor for newbies, design it far bigger than your initial needs, as newbie chicken keepers find they love it and want more chickens (ie "chicken math").
Also I found, have coops/runs that you can divide up (for introducing new chickens, isolate injured or bossy chickens, etc).
I'm getting my first chickens this week. Thanks for the informative video!
Congratulations! It generally doesn't take people too long to have a whole flock once they buy their first.
Good video. Only question that's not answered is does the run size still need to be 3-5sqft per bird if your chickens are free range during the day and you only lock them in the coop at night to keep them safe from nocturnal predators? I was planning to build my coop 6x6 feet but now that we have 18 hens coming, might need to go a bit larger, perhaps 8x6.
+RPG123 great question. No, you can go with a smaller run if you want. We free-range our chickens as well and they ignore the old runs completely.
I'm planning a coop for a lot of chickens and it can get cold during winter so I want it to be cozy so like what would you say for height? I'm making a plan where people don't walk inside and the chickens I'm planning to get can't fly very high so I'm gonna be having pretty low roosts, only like 8 inches off the floor for the lowest (when deep litter method is full), so I wanna make sure I don't build it too high where it's harder for them to keep warm
Height really won't matter that awful much. When they are cold they sit down on their feet on the roosts and huddle close together. I would make the roof high enough you feel comfortable cleaning out the coop.
So I already watched this video but was hoping to find a video that showed exactly what you are describing and what it would look like. So i find the chicken playlist figuring that's where it would be. 2nd video in the chicken playlist is a Comedy Central roast. Now I'm even more confused. 😂
Just put my eggs in the incubator.
Next I need to make a coop for three hens, really cool video!
thank you. Let me know if we can help in any way.
What breed of chicken are the eggs?
Great video.
thank you!
Thank you brother. Your coop chicken very beautiful and nice 😘😘😘
thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed the post. Is there anything you would like us to make a video about?
Since the chickens are only secured in the coop overnight or in inclement weather, I never place water or a feeder inside the coop. Chickens will rapidly foul water in the coop, and any food will draw rodents into the coop, which you definitely don't want. Place water and feeders just outside the coop door, you can watch the levels and it makes for a much cleaner setup. Even in deep snow, my girls will venture out for food and a drink!
Great info. Thanks for contributing. I have also found that if i hang the water and feeders from the ceiling the rodents are less.
what would you say the minimum height from floor to roof would be? Looking for the most cost effective build for 11 chickens.
That is going to be personal preference. How low are you willing it stoop when you clean it out? I'm 6'3" so I wouldn't want to go less than 5 ft. I definitely wouldn't want to clean chicken poop on my hands and knees
I can look back and see what designs I have for that number of birds.
I’m 6’ 1” so I agree! Lol. This is going to be a breeding set up so plan will be repeated multiple times so I wanted to save some money on it where I could but not jeopardize the health of the birds.
@@DP-wq4dy let me look at what I have in my files and see what would be expandable
@@SpottyCreekFarm awesome thank you so much!
Hai bro how are you doing 🎉❤
From India 🎉
If all the food and water are in the run and the run allows for 10sqft per bird, providing there’s plenty of ventilation, why not just build the coop big enough to provide 10” per bird on the roost and access to the exit and enough nesting boxes for your birds?
That should work.
I am looking to have anywhere from 12-25 chickens could anyone possibly help me with how big the coop and run would need to be
Sure. I will help out. I will post a reply with sizes tomorrow.
@@SpottyCreekFarm k thanks
First number is for 12 chickens, second number is for 25 chickens. If you are getting bigger birds you might want to increase all of the numbers a little.
Coop Floor Space 36 sf to 75 sf (minimum)
Roost Space 120" to 250"
Nesting Boxes 3 to 6
Run 48 sf to 100 sf The more the better.
Here is a plan for a very simple chicken coop that should work for you.
1drv.ms/b/s!At2XHWWyZbgDhO5PLYy43oGHHTeBqg?e=4YElAM
I’m going to be having 20 to 25 chickens do you happen to have plans for that size?
So far my 12 chickens use about 6 ft of roosting space max. They definitely huddle together even in the heat we have had.
We have one anti social chicken that likes to sit off by itself.. Not sure why it does that.
What breed of chickens?
@@SpottyCreekFarm 1 barred rock, 2 buff Orpington, 2 black australorp, 2 blue wyandotte, 2 blue laced red wyandotte, 3 easter egger (one is a rooster)
@@GunterHomestead nice! Like that mix.
1:33 this guy shows 30" x 30" but says 1 foot by 1 foot. 😢 @spotty creek farm
Yea. I'm kinda a big guy. Lol
Incorrect information. Ive been raising chickens for 12 years and USDA minimums call for 4' sqft per bird indoor coop space and 10sqft outdoor space. 1 full foot of roost space and nest boxes should be 12x12x18" tall. Again, these are MINIMUMS. This man is seriously overcrowding his birds. Also, please make your roosts out of 2x4 laid flat. It protects vulnerable feet from frostbite and NEVER EVER EVER put waterers inside your coop! Frostbite central in winter and fungus in the summer! Just dont do it. Get a heated dog bowl for winter.
Thank you for your input. When I read your comment, I was concerned that the information that came out of my research might be incorrect or that I had misread something. We take the health of all of our animals seriously, as I am sure you do.
It had not occurred to me to check with the USDA on their recommendations. After searching their website for 20 minutes, I found the following. ask.usda.gov/s/article/What-is-the-space-requirement-for-keeping-poultry-or-livestock It says "Space requirements for poultry and other animals are not mandated by the federal government, but rather at the local, county, and state levels, so we recommend you contact local authorities. Contact information for state, county, and local governments can be found at www.usa.gov by selecting "Find Government Agencies" at the top of the page. For questions or advice about raising animals, we recommend that you contact your local county agent/extension service. Contact information can be accessed at nifa.usda.gov/partners-and-extension-map. The phone number for the extension service of your state university can also be found in the blue government pages of your local telephone book." Which is what I did. I used this article content.ces.ncsu.edu/keeping-garden-chickens-in-north-carolina from North Carolina State University and this article extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=C969 from the University of Georgia as well as articles from other major universities and local extension offices during my research. NCSU and UGA are two of the top agricultural universities in the nation. The dimensions provided in my video are the general consensus of those articles.
Please do not take this as an attack. It is not intended as one. I only want my followers to know that I did do the research and that the information I provide is from credible sources.
That's funny, I saw a documentary the other day that said 1 and 1/2 square feet per bird per USDA, the documentary was about laying hens. Someone's giving you the wrong information.