Where can I find a good plan for a small chick coop that can house 4 to 6 egglayers comfortably?

Answer 1

I was born and raised on a large chicken farm and have no links but offer a suggestion.

Consider this like a shed/lawn building. an adequate measurement for what feels comfortable not only for the chickens but you as well to enter and do what is needed inside the coop. Even a 6 x 6 would be adequate.

Along one wall imagine this. near the floor level you install a box you craft, the width of the coop, approximately 14 to 16 inches out from the wall and perhaps no more than 3 inches deep. Inside that box add dividers at the same height allowing that nesting/bedding material will be placed. Support/attach it anyway you feel adequate. Just below and in front of that box add a large dowel, the same width, as a perch/step for the chickens.

Also assume that you'll do this twice, placing one such box atop the floor level one, but not so high as to be a challenge for the chickens. Add a large dowel in front of it as well. (These will be similar in effect to a towel henging rack in a bathroom).

Opposite this add lumber for a food/hay crib, with a hinged lid.

The coop should have a window, or two, and a door certainly for your access, but might also have a small passageway door for the chickens.

The entire coop should be off the ground by as much as a normal step or as low as the height 2x4 studs will allow.

The roof can be a single angle, front to back, high enough for you to stand inside. The entire structure can be framed with 2x4's and plywood siding. Obvioulsy is some aesthetics are an issue you can finish with roofing material/paint/decorate outside as suits you. The chickens won't mind,,,smiles.

Depending on your location and seasonal climates you probably should plan running electric service to the coop, at the very least allowing for a light above.

Answer 2

www. backyardchickens.com , i have a chicken coop design that i think is perfect , its an all in one coop and u never have to enter the thing and they are small and discreet!! i looked for the plans on backyard chicken but couldnt find it so if i find it ill get it to you! anyway i built one and its awesome! its a small 2 story "A" frame coop in short .. the bottom serves as the yard or run and the top serves as the nesting area! the design has a lever that lifts and closes the ramp to trap the chickens in the yard below the nesting boxes!! then the "A" frame part of the roof above the nesting boxes latch down and are hinged so that you can lift them up and collect the eggs while the chickens are trapped in the lower yard portion! so no chickens can escape while you are collecting eggs or cleaning boxes!! it is a really great and ingenius design all in one!! and you never have to enter the coop or deal with the chickens!! they work great and are perfect for up to 10 chickens depending on the size you build it!! if i can not find it i can make you a rough draft of it and e mail it to you !! you can contact me at [e-mail]!! until then check out backyardchickens .com and see if there are any you like on there!! they have hundreds of designs!! i might have missed the "A" frame one, it might be there!! i just cant praise this design enough!!

Answer 3

That's alot of rats. While I think that's a good prank, I doubt you can keep them from coming back to your house. This may backfire on you. I do know that mice and rats can't handle the smell of peppermint. Get some peppermint oil and soak cotton swabs and place them strategically.

Answer 4

Here's a couple of sites with plans, drawings, etc...
http://www.buildeazy.com/chicken_coop_1.html
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/designs.html
http://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html

Another good method would be to goto your local library and ask if they have any construction books on farm buildings or the like.

Answer 5

I was researching this question tonight and found a great site with a lot of information at www.motherearthnews.com Hope it helps!