Until Centerpole makes it up to Montana to build me one, I need a new coop and run. We've currently got 6 hens and will be getting 16 chicks from the feed store in late April. Current coop was on the property when we bought, it's been OK but won't be sufficient once we get the new chicks incorporated.

Will need to fit ~20 chickens. Want to have an easy way to sweep shavings out of it, so large door without a framing board across the bottom. External access to boxes to get eggs.

If also like it to be regarding easy to move if I decide to do so after we build our new house. Not sure if that's putting it on skids or modular design?

ETA: roof needs a decent slope in one direction for snow.

We bought a wood storage shed from Home Depot. We cut a chicken door on the opposite side of the main door. We built a wall with wire and a door in the shed along with nesting boxes. This allowed access to all parts and gave us some storage and a place to gather eggs without messing with the chickens.

The run was over built per instructions from the Wife. We have treating lumber rails bolted into the ground via sunken concrete pillars. With mesh wire under that to keep out the digging animals. We then placed welded wire all around and on the ceiling portion of the run. It was a pain to build, but it has been up for 5+ years and never a breach of the defenses.

I have a few opinions that you can take or leave. After having birds for a bit over 30 years and several coops, I've change the way I do things. Chickens for the rookie are a lot like kids for a newbie. By that I mean, the first kid gets high end diapers, top grade food, walkers, strollers, and every thing known to man. By the time the second kid comes around he's getting pop tarts and a kid leash if he's lucky.

First, don't overthink this. It's a chicken. The coops needs to feature several key elements with the first being protection from predators, the second protection from wind, third, dry and rain proof to a reasonable degree. Everything else is way down on the list and you do what you want. I discourage the use of "external" access to next boxes. First, it's a second point of failure for predators but more importantly it allows you to do things without being in the coop. You need to be in the coop….daily. If the reasons aren't obvious, I'll expand on that.

I have 40 birds and their coop is 15x10 or so. I have no idea if it meets the new age parenting "size requirements" but I don't particularly care. The birds are free ranging meaning the coop is where they stay at night only.

You need to figure out what your goals are and build accordingly. No matter what, DO NOT OVERTHINK THIS.

The single most beneficial item I have ever used with mine is a self closing door. It opens at daybreak and closes at sunset. I have lost many birds in the narrow timeframe between sundown and "whenever the hell I get out there"…it's a life saver. Literally.

The second smartest thing is double walled hardware cloth on windows and vents. Do it. Don't get cheap here.

I'd probably also abandon the idea that you are going to move it or take it with you if you move. Build it right. Build it strong. Build another one if you move. If you want it skid it, you certainly can. Just head to your local shed building supplier and see how that is done and copy it.

For your roosts, make them flat and 2x4. Wide flat roosts are easier on the birds feet. It's easier for them to roost and more importantly it allows them to settle on top of the feet having both the bottom and top protected from freezing and cold temps by board or body.

No other heating is needed. Make sure your coop is wind and rain proof and they will be fine. The birds you are getting locally were bred for New England. They will survive no problem here.

Appreciate the thoughts. I'm in Montana, so weatherizing is a big concern, and planning to have that accordingly. Current flock made it through -23 degrees this year.

Or birds are pretty much free range like yours, just choosing them up at night. I also have an automatic door I bought recently and will install on the new coop.

The reason I'm considering relocating is the current location is great for our current house, but we'll be building on the other side of the property and it might make more sense to have the closer, especially during winter. I may go with skids on it for that reason.

Current coop is elevated and provide a dry space no matter the weather or time of year. I like that in concept, but it's next to impossible to clean that space and also it's inevitable we end up with a chicken under there that won't come out when we're trying to get them into the coop.

The coop and run are currently on top of a concrete RV pad that I intend to reclaim for that purpose.

The other idea I've had for the internal design is to have it divided so we can put new chicks in one side to separate them from the older birds, then eventually remove the divider.

I'm not dead set on the external egg collection, but the pictures I've seen of those designs online look appealing.

rather be fishing said:

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If also like it to be regarding easy to move if I decide to do so after we build our new house. Not sure if that's putting it on skids or modular design?

ETA: roof needs a decent slope in one direction for snow.

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Got a Morgan metal shed delivered off the back of a flat bed truck. Two long sistered 2x12 joists on the bottom. He jacked up one side and put some thick pvc pipe under the front, then under the back. Then we just pushed it into place, periodically moving the back piece of pvc to the front as the shed rolled off of it. Surprisingly easy.