A list of Newbie Questions....

[JennaLynn122]

1. How many chickens would safely fit in a 5ftx9ft coop (probably 9-10 ft ceiling) with 2 roosting areas (both 9ft long) and/or in a run 12ftx24ft (6-7ft tall)? Also, does the height and extra roosting and unused nesting space matter or is it just floor footage? The only reason they go in the coop is to lay eggs and eat in AM, and to sleep at night.

2. How many Hens per Roo? And if I do have multiple roos will they get along in the same coop and run or will they fight and hurt each other?

3. How would you integrate pullets and/or another roo into the older flock? I have some ideas but I'd like more opinions on it.

4. What age do you integrate your pullets/cockerels?

5. Does free ranging or adding more run space matter when it comes to question 1?


I think that's it for now but I'm sure I'll have more.

 

[LRH97]

1. I currently have 14 birds in my 6x8 coop with more on the way. My limit is 25. (My birds completely free range during the day so the coop is only used for sleeping, eating, drinking, and egg laying.)

2. A good number is 1 male to every 10 females however breeders often like 1 per every 4 or 5 or something like that. The most reliable way to have multiple roos together is to have enough space and I find that the boys that I've had together since they were babies seem to get along the best. There's always some squabbles, but such as life. (I currently have 3 roos by the way and they do fine; very gentle with the hens as well)

3. I have two coops, so the way I do it is I just let them range together for a few weeks and stick them in the other coop at night, and it has worked every time for me. There will be pecking but as long there's nothing serious (i.e. blood drawn) you should be fine. Also, I've never introduced new adult roos to an established flock. I just don't risk it. I have introduced young cockerels though; they go through the pecking order the same as everyone else.

4. I just go by comparison. When they're fully feathered and a little over half the size the the big girls, they get introduced.

5. I think that would just increase the productivity and overall health of the birds, not how many you could fit into the coop.

Hope I helped!

 

[Trefoil]

If you have enough predator proof run space (so they are allowed access to it all the time) you'll be able to have at least a few more birds without much trouble. The only problem is weather, most chickens will stay in if its really bad out and that's when the lack of coop space is going to cause you problems. 1. aggression- birds that get along with space may fight if crowded, and 2. The more coop space per bird the easier it is to keep the coop clean. Good luck and enjoy your birds

 

[JennaLynn122]

1. I currently have 14 birds in my 6x8 coop with more on the way. My limit is 25. (My birds completely free range during the day so the coop is only used for sleeping, eating, drinking, and egg laying.)

2. A good number is 1 male to every 10 females however breeders often like 1 per every 4 or 5 or something like that. The most reliable way to have multiple roos together is to have enough space and I find that the boys that I've had together since they were babies seem to get along the best. There's always some squabbles, but such as life. (I currently have 3 roos by the way and they do fine; very gentle with the hens as well)

3. I have two coops, so the way I do it is I just let them range together for a few weeks and stick them in the other coop at night, and it has worked every time for me. There will be pecking but as long there's nothing serious (i.e. blood drawn) you should be fine. Also, I've never introduced new adult roos to an established flock. I just don't risk it. I have introduced young cockerels though; they go through the pecking order the same as everyone else.

4. I just go by comparison. When they're fully feathered and a little over half the size the the big girls, they get introduced.

5. I think that would just increase the productivity and overall health of the birds, not how many you could fit into the coop.

Hope I helped!

You did help. The roos I would be introducing aren't going to be full grown. My roo wouldn't have it. Im working into free ranging. I dont have much land (1.5 acre including what the buildings sit on). Right now I am doing a couple hours a day out of the run but I know my run is big enough for 28 or so @ 10 sqft per chicken.

Awesome Advice. very thorough.

 

[JennaLynn122]

If you have enough predator proof run space (so they are allowed access to it all the time) you'll be able to have at least a few more birds without much trouble. The only problem is weather, most chickens will stay in if its really bad out and that's when the lack of coop space is going to cause you problems. 1. aggression- birds that get along with space may fight if crowded, and 2. The more coop space per bird the easier it is to keep the coop clean. Good luck and enjoy your birds

Yes my run is covered completely and I also have a plastic dog crate in the run ( my rooster and one of the hens like to rest in it) and two little areas and an overhang that they escape rain in. the cleaning isnt an issue for me. Im a stay at home mom and I think I overclean it anyway. Because I use hay/straw, I tend to change it more often. I would use pine or sand but Im allergic to pine and they dont like sand. I will keep an extra eye out for any aggression. I know I have a few people that could take some in if they need homes.