Chicken coop help

I'm converting part of my barn into a chicken coop, right now 3 sides are enclosed by the wood sides of the barn, the west side is open. I plan on putting wood from the floor up to 4' (to the barn beam), then chicken wire which will start 4' off the floor and extend up to 10' (to another beam). I am worried that while this provides plenty of ventilation it might be too drafty for the chickens. (there is no west wall to the barn, it is open, kind of like a lean-to). I am thinking that they can huddle on the floor wher there won't be any wind if they get cold....but the reality is I have no idea about raising chickens whatsoever. Also how does one go about stretching chicken wire so it fits tight, I have it stapled it to the beams on the top and bottom edge, but it's a 40' span and while I added 2x2's every 4 feet and pulled it tight by hand it still isn't tight like I want it, I'd prefer it to be almost like a guitar string so the kids can lean on it and it won't push in. Thanks for any info.

I am just getting started with chickens myself. Meat birds in 7-12 weeks sounds good to me. Our order of chicks will be in mid-may. I honestly haven't done much research, my wife is all over that. I’m on board, and know soon I'll be building a coup from the bottom up, 4 x 8 x 6high. I have some 4x8 ¾ plywood and some rolled roofing so far. I want to insulate it for the winter and have it so I can open it up for the summer, and have a nice ventilation fan. When the chicks come, I'll start to think about it some more.

I got this book for my wife at boarders,
http://www.amazon.com/Living-Chickens-E ... 1592280137

I got the book for the maintenance stuff, which my wife is taking the lead on. I'll build the coup and clean it out. The book also has ideas on coups. A good point in the book is the flooring. The book changed my thoughts on flooring, I was thinking plywood. Instead, I will be putting a thin concrete layer down instead of plywood. The book says you'll never be able to fully clean out the wood floor, that means it’s going to smell. I think the concrete will clean nice with a pressure washer and some light cleaner. Hell, maybe some type of cheap tile would work ontop of plywood.

I understand that a cold draft will kill chickens, or get them sick at least. You don’t want a vet bill on top of everything. You want it tight for the winter, you need to figure some type of door for the winter. Maybe a little bucket-o-day stove too. Forget a 150 watt heat lamp 24/7.

As always, send pics. I'll send mine.

I'm getting some chicks delivered next week, so I'm in the same boat as both of you.

I have a few good books and I have to build a coop myself. I'll send some pics when I get it done.

I'm also getting some geese to weed my garden and small orchard.

Let me know if you get that fence tight.

Is Raising chickens any more cost effective than buying meat on sale at the grocer? It seems when all said and done that they would be more of a labor of love than a cost saving measure. I understand that at least you know what went into the bird and so on. Im just curious and am usually up for anything thats healthier and will save me money, but if raising chickens turned out like any of my other hobbies Id have dead chickens laying all over the lawn. Jim Oh yeah do geese have to have a natural water source nearby? AndTownsend thereisnt one guy I work with who hasnt heard the 30-06 thingfive time allready Jim

Ours are basically going to be outside pets, Save-A-Lot often has chicken in 10 pound bags already frozen for .29-.49/lb, nobody can grow them that cheap on a small scale. We got some different kinds and some fancy ones, they averaged out to cost about $2 each just to buy them, then the feed and everything...I figure about $50 per meal if I were to eat them in a year. lol. Our chicks arrived yesterday, we are having fun watching them. We live out in the country so they can free-range around the yard, hopefully they'll eat bugs in the garden and make fresh eggs, I really don't think I will kill them.

We also have some guinea hens coming from my neighbor. they eat snakes. that sold me on them, I hate snakes. They roost in trees and basically require no care. For a buck a piece I'm picking up a dozen to turn loose. My other neighbor raised pheasants for the DEC last year so we have those running wild everywhere, they make the dog crazy.

Well after careful thought I built a separate chicken coop away from the barn and away from the house. I keep my motorcycles in the barn and the chickens like to sit on them, yes, it was a problem. I'll put up some pictures when it's all done, but the chickens free range no problem and come home at night by themselves. They actually don't go very far, maybe 20 feet from the coop.

I would not want a chicken hanging out on my motorcycle. That sounds like a cause for chicken soup.

My chicken coup is a borrowed pheasant coup, converted to close up for cold nights. It’s been two weeks, and the chicks are outside in it now. The 250watt heat lamp keeps them warm, in the 80s, where they don’t have to huddle up to stay warm. I just put two 10 inch blocks inside with some hay on top. I’m not sure if they will roost on them or not. If not, I’ll build a little shelf for them. When they get bigger they will need laying boxes.

I still want to build something more permanent, made for the warm and cold. Made with insulation for the cold and, and vents for the summer. Here are some pictures.