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Chicken Coop

post #1 of 25
4/18/12 at 6:27am
Thread Starter 

OK so its almost time to take my chickens home! Someone build me a nice coop, I requested 12 sq ft but for some reason it ended up being 10sq feet with 4 nest boxes. I'm going to have 6 chickens (3 americana's and 3 RIR's) Is it unreasonable to house them in 10sq ft? They will have a run during the day and free range when I'm home on the weekends (although I have a large fenced in yard they will never be outside of).

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post #2 of 25
4/18/12 at 11:05am
Thread Starter 

anyone??

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post #3 of 25
4/18/12 at 11:25am
Thread Starter 

Potential Coop

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post #4 of 25
4/18/12 at 11:26am

10 SQUARE feet?  As in like 2' x 5' or similar? 

 

6 hens in only 10 square feet are going to be really crowded for floor space, especially once you add the feeder/waterer.   I personally would only put two, maybe three hens in that amount of space.  If you live in a mild climate where they will be inside very little that will help.  If you have any kind of weather at all where they are going to want to get inside then I'd look into making more space for them.  Maybe a covered run? 

 

I always tend to go overboard on space for chickens just to try to avoid pecking problems and bullying. 

wife to long suffering husband who has built more miles of fence, barns, coops and enclosures then one man should have to, two teenage boys, current flock of 13 assorted hens and 1 big red roo, 2 goats, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 bunnies and 1 cockatiel. 

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wife to long suffering husband who has built more miles of fence, barns, coops and enclosures then one man should have to, two teenage boys, current flock of 13 assorted hens and 1 big red roo, 2 goats, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 bunnies and 1 cockatiel. 

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post #5 of 25
4/18/12 at 11:32am
Thread Starter 

It's 36"x 42". I live in Easter Mass, so winters can be harsh. I wasn't planning on a covered run but I might be able to provide it, especially for the winter months. That's a bummer. I specifically asked for a 4X3 and he build it SMALLER then that.. as I was thinking 2ft per hen was the recommended size. Grr now I need it in 2 weeks.

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post #6 of 25
4/18/12 at 12:18pm

I'm no expert, but I think that's to small as well, even tho it's a lovely coop!  Maybe the person who built it can add on to it?  My inside space for 8 chickens is going to be 4 x 12..

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post #7 of 25
4/18/12 at 12:25pm

yes 10 sq ft for 6 chicks is WAY too small 6 chickens need at LEAST 12 sq ft and that is ONLY if they are let outside during the day and if they are going to be in the coop 24/7 they need at least 24 sq ft.

                                                                                     Lot's 'A' Cluckin' Farms 

                                                           

                                                                             "Where The Orpingtons Run Free!"

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                                                                                     Lot's 'A' Cluckin' Farms 

                                                           

                                                                             "Where The Orpingtons Run Free!"

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post #8 of 25
4/18/12 at 12:59pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks all! I have decided not to get it.

 

I did see this one: http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2939789983.html

 

and this one:

http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2894817442.html

 

and this one:

http://providence.craigslist.org/grq/2945215476.html

 

Any opinions?

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post #9 of 25
4/18/12 at 1:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by activia View Post

Thanks all! I have decided not to get it.

 

I did see this one: http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2939789983.html

 

and this one:

http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2894817442.html

 

and this one:

http://providence.craigslist.org/grq/2945215476.html

 

Any opinions?



Out of these three, I'd probably go with coop #2.  #3 has no ventilation at all that I could see. 

 

wife to long suffering husband who has built more miles of fence, barns, coops and enclosures then one man should have to, two teenage boys, current flock of 13 assorted hens and 1 big red roo, 2 goats, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 bunnies and 1 cockatiel. 

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wife to long suffering husband who has built more miles of fence, barns, coops and enclosures then one man should have to, two teenage boys, current flock of 13 assorted hens and 1 big red roo, 2 goats, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 2 bunnies and 1 cockatiel. 

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post #10 of 25
4/18/12 at 1:41pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks, any problems with #1? #1 is larger and is almost half the price. They want $600 for #2!!! 4X4.
 

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