Add more chickens? Or...

[tarandmike]

Hi there,

We've recently completed our chicken coop and run, and were exploring possibilities with our current setup.
Our coop is 10'x12' and our run is 12'x12'x6'. We currently have 7 chicks (barnyard mix), and are waiting for genders to show.
Ideally we'd like 5-6 hens and a rooster.
Based on space available, should/could we add more hens?
Or, could we mix other species with our chickens in this setup, ie. ducks, pheasants, quail, a turkey? If so, breeds & numbers you'd reccommend?
We live on the edge of a small town, so excess noise would be a concern. And we live in the frigid north, so must be winter hardy.
We're new to chicken keeping, and would appreciate any thoughts/concerns, thanks in advance!

 

[Latestarter]

Based on the numbers alone, you have plenty of room both in and out of the coop. 4-6' square per bird inside recommended minimum and 10 square feet per bird run space recommended. So you have room inside for ~20+ birds and room in the run for 14-15 and maybe a few extra above that in a pinch depending on breeds and sizes. If you add turkeys, you'll most likely have to make a bigger pop door quite soon after you get them (as poults). They grow big, and fast.

Many folks keep turkeys with chickens with no bad affects whatsoever. You do need to be aware of Black Head disease and how it works, what it does. Chickens can carry it and turkeys die from it. So if one of your chickens has it, any turkeys you have with that chicken will not have a long life. https://attra.ncat.org/attra-pub/viewhtml.php?id=343

Many folks also keep ducks with chickens. I personally don't think this is a really spectacular idea, especially in light of your statement that you live in the frigid north. Ducks are aquatic and need water. They are also extremely messy, dirty animals and will soak everything they come into contact with if possible... food, bedding, etc. I suggest further study and research before you add ducks to what you already have.

One more observation if you'll forgive me... your run is NOT secure from predators of virtually any kind. Chicken wire is ONLY good for keeping chickens and rabbits from escaping but is completely useless at preventing predators from accessing them. A fox, dog, raccoon, possum, etc. would be through that wire in a matter of minutes and off with a fresh chicken dinner. A weasel can fit through a hole the size of a quarter and would slip right under the base boards of the run walls or under the door. Weasels kill for pleasure and could wipe out your entire flock in short order.

Dogs are the number one killer of small domestic livestock... strays, your neighbor's and your own.

 

[tarandmike]

Thank you for the awesome response! Our chicken run is actually inside our dog run, with 4' chain link fencing. As of now, our dogs are out with the chickens during the day, and I close the chickens in the coop at night. We've got a 6 yr old rough collie, and 14 yr old sheltie that are trained well with no issues there. I was hoping my dogs' presence/smell would help deter predators. We also keep music and a light on in the garage (where the coop is) at night. I'm thinking of closing off the coop completely during the winter also.
I have 4' high 16 gauge fencing that I could easily add to the run as well.
Would this help any, or what would you recommend?
If the chickens are strictly in the coop with no access to the run in the winter, what would a safe number of chickens be (without overcrowding)?
I'm leaning away from ducks as of now, good information! I want happy, healthy chickens.
Again I really appreciate the feedback!

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes you have more room, but your chicks still have quite a bit of growing to do. I like a multi-generational flock, so my advice would be to leave it under populated this year add more chicks next year, just a few, then the following, add chicks and begin subtraction of old birds.

Gives you a better and more consistent egg laying.

That is in a perfect world, in real life, the wrong birds die, or get killed by predators,you hatch too many roosters...

My point, is chicken plans seldom go to plan for me. I just like chickens, not other fowl. I have heard turkeys die at a drop of a hat.

Good luck.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome! As newbies to poultry keeping, stick with chickens for now. Your space is great, but as everyone said, not secure from predators. Pictures of your coop would help too; I don't see any windows/ ventilation on the side shown.
Having a light on all night is not fine for the birds; for egg laying over winter, sixteen hours of total light/ day is best. Too many hours of lighting isn't good for them.
Ducks and gees need separate housing, and turkeys do best elsewhere too.
Mary

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
That last pic is great!
Yes, the dogs presence inside a fence should help deter predators.

You've gotten some good advice already...agrees, get thru your first winter with these birds, then think about adding more next spring.

You need to think about how your setup will work in winter, snow loads, ventilation, etc.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, then it's always there!

 

[Ridgerunner]

You might want to follow the link in my signature to get some of my thoughts about space. I don't believe in magic square feet per chicken, there are way too many variables in climate, flock make-up, goals, management techniques, and so many other things that one size does not fit all.

What you have will probably work for your goal of one rooster and 5 or 6 hens. The size of your coop is really nice, it gives you some flexibility in managing many issues. For your ideal flock the run will work when it is available, but will it be available in your winters? If they are locked in the coop section only during a lot of winter you may need every inch of that coop space, though for 6 hens and a rooster it should work. I find the more I crowd them the more behavioral problems I have, the harder I have to work, and the less flexibility I have to deal with issues. I don't believe in shoehorning every chicken I can into the available space. I believe in deciding what you want and them providing them enough space. It is pretty likely you won't know exactly what you want until you get some experience so don't jump in too deep too quickly.

In the winter, even if it is covered with snow, you might want to give hem them the option to go out if they wish. They might surprise you.

Do you plan to add more chickens later, either having a broody hen hatch and raise some or brooding incubator chicks yourself? When you integrate those you may find your space pretty limited. We do it, it can be done, but during integration can bring out some space limitations of your set-up.

As far as keeping other species, you can do it, it is done. But I suggest you don't until you get some experience. Don't make it too complicated when you are starting out.

That chicken wire run will provide some protection from predators. It's true that certain large predators like a big boar raccoon or a large dog can tear chicken wire or even some hardware cloth, but it will stop a lot of predators. Being inside the dog run and with your dogs in there will provide additional layers of protection. I assume your dogs are there 24/7? They don't do you any good when they are locked in your house.

Practically any predator can and will hunt during the day, including the ones that "only hunt at night". Night is your biggest danger though. Predators are often more active around human habitation when humans are in bed and you don't have human activity to scare them away. The philosophy that has worked well for me is to provide a predator resistant place during the day and secure them in a predator safe area at night. No matter what you do no one can ever guarantee that you will not have a predator attack, you can only reduce the possibilities.

One weakness might be how that chicken wire is attached. I can't see that clearly. How easy would it be for a predator to get hold of it and rip out the connection? When I'm attaching chicken wire, hardware cloth, or 2x4 welded wire if I can I cover the ends with a board and screw it on to make that connection as secure as I can.

As long as it is closed that dog run should stop any non-climbing predator. As long as you trust your dogs I don't see any big benefit to adding heavier wire to that chicken wire around the lower section unless you cover the top also. In your case it appears to be mostly there to keep the chickens in. Personally I'd be comfortable keeping them in there during the day and locking them up securely at night. That does not mean it is impossible for something to go very wrong this afternoon, I just consider it unlikely.

Good luck!