1 big coop or several smaller.

[DellaNTuff]

I am in the planing stages of making a better set up for my chickens. I currently have 2 winter safe coops with runs along with 3 summer areas.
I have really expanded my chickens this spring and summer so I need to get ready for winter. (We can get pretty cold, Im in alberta canada)

Would you build one big coop for most everybody with a big out door pen. Then separate in the warmer months to summer breeding pens that are cheaper to build. Or just smaller coops with smaller runs and they stay there all year with no sorting.

We have Black Copper Marans, Breda Fowl, Old English Bantams and Silkie that I would like to keep separate to hatch. We also have a great group of barnyard mix girls for laying hens we also hatch a batch of for fun and eggs / meat. So at least 5 groups, potentially 6 if we decide to keep the frizzle rooster.

What would you rather have? A bunch of nice 8×10 -10×12 coops with Runs or basically a small barn lol.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have a 40x40 shed, with multiple pens if I need them. I like my big shed, but I don't decide birds up either.

It's a personal choice you have to decide on. Do you want to go from coop to coop for care? Or do you want something like a central aisle with pens coming off it? If you get cold perhaps the barn is cozier for you in winter while you tend your birds.

An advantage to individual coops is things like diseases and parasites aren't spread as easily, and a flock has it's own territory away from others a bit.

 

[DellaNTuff]

That is a very good point about parasites, I had not considered that.

I was thinking chores would be easier, and heat / electricity to 1 vrs many would be easier as well.
But also think the smaller coops would be better for cock safety (hens as well) and not so much air to keep warm in the cold months.

 

[Nats Chickens]

one big coop. but if needed lots of smaller pens inside one big coop.

 

[SimplyLivinthatFarmLife]

I have 3 coops with 3 runs as well as a separate area/run for my guinea fowl. I use a wheelbarrow to collect water containers and fill all at once. I also use the wheelbarrow when bringing out feed. Due to having large feeders, I don't have to refill as often. I collect eggs daily as well as give them treats. I like having them separated.

 

[Ghosty]

I think I would prefer a barn. If you want them to have separate areas and privacy just use solid walls to separate the pens and build the runs heading in different directions off the building where they have no contact with one another. You could still have a central area as well.

 

[DellaNTuff]

That does sound nice.

 

[aart]

not so much air to keep warm in the cold months.

Do you heat your coops?
If so, how do you balance that with ventilation?

I'd rather have one building.

 

[DellaNTuff]

My current coops have ventilation, I feel its very important even without adding heat for respiratory health. The one has windows and out the roof the other has all along the side where the roof and wall meet.

Last winter the only added heat I used was a heat lamp. But I have in the past used heaters and kept the coop about 5 degrees above freezing. It went OK. But I would like to add more heat this year.

By heat the air I meat the chickens body heat heating the air, or more so escaping into the air. I find big coops and not enough chickens make cold birds.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

This comes to mind....

https://www.marthastewart.com/914692/chickens-and-their-coop

Gary