5 Hen Help....

[uvaldeyardbird]

So I got this brite idea to raise some hens. Aside from dogs, cats and occasional fish, I'm a true NEWBIE to chickens. I got started and finished on a make shift coop and run. The coop is 3' x 3', the perch is about 6" off the floor. Wire mesh on the floor. The whole coop is raised 2' off the ground with posts. The coop does not have any windows...yet I suppose (since reading this forum)
The run is built off the front of the coop about 6" out, and 3' wide. The area beneath the coop will be open also for extra space.
Basically, you can tell I'm green to all of this, but I just wanted some insight on it.

Coop will reside in South Texas weather conditions. FYI...

HELP

 

[FrenchHen]

In that area you will want some ventilation near the top so they don't roast while they roost.
What kind of wire mesh did you use?

 

[uvaldeyardbird]

I found some rabbit hutch type mesh. Very small square type mesh, metal. I'm going to put bedding down, but not sure what type yet

 

[Judy]

No cedar for the bedding. Most anything else is used here, including grass clippings, dry leaves, shredded newspaper.

The recommended minimum space requirement is 4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq ft per bird in the run.

You might find this thread interesting for coops/housing in hot climates:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=163417

 

[uvaldeyardbird]

Large coops like that would be nice if I had the space...but I'm staying with the whole idea of "back yard" chickens. I may need to correct that length for the run that's 6 feet out not 6 inches. I think I typed faster than I was thinking.

Now that we have the bedding down, what about the size? Am I asking for trouble?

 

[FrenchHen]

Pine shavings will work for bedding. How many hens do you want to put in there? STandards of bantams?

 

[uvaldeyardbird]

I'm being given 5 pullets (bantams) I'm assuming....not sure. They're free, so I'm not rocking the boat too much on that one. Know what I mean?

 

[FrenchHen]

If they're bantams, that may be enough room. For standard hens, the space recommended is 4 square feet per hen. Not sure for banties.

 

[Judy]

You need to find out if they are bantams or standards. If you have them in too small of a space, you are likely to have pecking and feather pulling, fighting, or even cannibalism problems.


The hot weather coops thread IS about backyard cops.