Factors to consider when planning your coop project
Size. Factor the space per chicken in the coop and the run. Commonly quoted space requirements are 2 square feet per chicken in the coop and 10 square feet per chicken in the run. Make it larger if you plan to keep them enclosed full time or the majority of time.
Predator proofing. Decide whether you will have a coop door to let your chickens in and out of the run during the day or proof the run so they can go back and forth freely. Use hardware cloth. Other materials such as chicken wire are not secure. Around the perimeter of the run, you should either bury hardware cloth a foot deep or lay a hardware cloth skirt to protect against snakes and burrowing animals. Attach hardware cloth to the frame with heavy duty staples or washers and screws. Ensure there are no gaps in the walls or doors where predators can squeeze in. Use double method locks like a locking caribiner to protect against raccoons. Cover the run to protect from large birds.
Doors. Have an accessible door or set of doors that you can open and easily clean out the bedding of coop when needed. If you are planning on the deep litter method, consider a removable barrier to hold on the deep bedding.
Shade. Have a shaded area for the chicks to hide out on a hot day. One easy way to provide shade is to raise the coop 2-3 feet off of the ground to provide a shaded area underneath.
Feeder. Keep the feeder in a covered area to protect from rain. If the run is fully proofed it will be safe from other hungry critters. Consider an automatic feeder to reduce your chicken chores. A 5 gallon bucket can easily be converted to an automatic feeder. Another option is using pvc piping that you can fill from outside the coop.
Waterer. Nipple waterer works well as it keeps water clean with minimal waste and leaking. You can convert a 5 gallon bucket to make an automatic waterer or make a pvc pipe nipple waterer.
Flooring. Consider a waterproof product such as linoleum to keep wood coop floor intact.
Roosting bars. Chickens love to roost. They sleep on roosting bars. Make sure each chicken has about 12 inches of roosting space in the coop. Chickens prefer the roosting bars that are highest off the ground. Depending on the height, they may need a ladder to help them reach the top safely. Make sure the roosting bars are higher than the lip of the nesting box or you make find them roosting on the edge of nesting box, which results in poopy eggs.
Ventilation. Chickens need airflow in the coop to allow the ammonium from their excrement to exit. Ensure vents are covered with hardware cloth. While vents are important, chickens dislike drafts, so ideally place vents high where the eaves will block the wind. The vents should be placed above their roosting position.
Bedding. Common options include pine shavings and hemp bedding. Some people scoop poop regularly and others go for the lower maintainance deep litter method. Consider your preference when designing the coop because deep litter can reach 9-12 inches and you will need a way to hold the litter in place when you open the door. If you plan to scoop, the majority of chicken poop accumulates directly under roosting bar so you may want to consider a system to collect poop in this area for easier cleaning.
Run. The run is where the chickens hang out most of the day if they aren’t freeranging. Flooring options include dirt, bedding, sand, yard clippings. They enjoy roosting so consider bars at different levels for them to rest on. Ensure there is enough space.
