OT: I need to build a chicken coop.... HELP!!! - Page 1

I am getting 2 Silkies, and I need some plans to use. I found a few online, but I was hoping to get some ideas from my fellow GSD friends. I know some of you have small farms, and I am looking for some ideas for a smaller coop adequate for 2-3 chickens. Thanks in advance for the ideas.
Renee

First - what is the "OT" stand for? 

- and I am building a coop - woodshed combo - I'll see if I can find the plans on line again... 

I've seen some nice "A" frame style small coops online.  the roost or nesting boxes are in the top, and some even have wheels where the coop can be moved around the yard for the chickens to graze.  Silkies are soo cute! 

Mine sleep in the hay barn, but the neighbor they built a nice tool shed with a few nesting boxes. Concrete the floor so you do not have virmen getting in at night, skunks,coon,weasles. They place wood shavings on the floor for easy cleaning. They fenced in a chicken park area with a top to allow for easy of keeping stuff out. Then when they can be supervised you can let them out of the park to run the yard. Mine are big birds so the hawks we have will not try to pick them up, plus I have a few mean roosters that are on guard. Silkies are nice birds very broody, we have one silkie that we will let sit eggs then we buy chicks, take away the eggs at night and stick the chicks under her, she thinks she has hatched them, she is a great hen. I hope this helps. Always, Cee

Either pour concrete for the floor or build a raised coop with an entry board that can be put up or taken away when the chickens are roosting at night. You don't want predators like foxes (fox in the henhouse - there's a reason for this saying) or raccoons or coyotes or whatever predators you have in your area to be able to break in, dig in or otherwise get to your hens.

Another way to prevent hawks from making a meal of your hens is to build an outdoor run that is completely fenced in, that is, fenced on top too. An outdoor run is usually built right against the coop, with a small panel that can be opened or shut between them. The coop in this type is built on a concrete pad, with a door a person can get through to collect eggs from nests, which are raised off the floor. There are plans online.

I like bantams for personality and character, but Rhode Island reds for eggs.

THESE ARE 2 OF MY ROOSTERS. TOP IS SHAGGIE BOTTOM IS ZERO.

Any small structure will do, dirt floor not concrete.
They need light (southeast facing windows) and an outdoor run enclosed with chicken wire for predators.
Nest boxes could be 10x10 inches with sides, nest boxes should not be in the light.
Don't mix silkies with other breeds.

Something like this would be a perfect size for a pair of Silkies.  A rabbit hutch is a good starting point.  I kept my best trio of banties in something similar, worked great.

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/pet_ranch_pen.html

What color are you getting?  They are very cool.



Edit:  added link to coop

Something to keep in mind here - Silkies can not fly and are basically slow moving, which leaves them very subseptable to predators.  They roost on the ground which also leaves them open for ground predators (snakes)  
Rabbit type hutches which keep them up off the ground are great for them!!  For roost's - a cynder block on each end with a 2 x 4 for the perch works very well!!! 
If you want more info I am in contact with one of the leading Silkie breeders in the state and he would be happy to share his coop design. 
Let me know - stormhasit@yahoo.com
storm