Anyone know how to build a lil' bit?

[QuacksALot]

I attached screenshot.... go to home page, select article. There are links to a variety of topics including large coops. That should give you some idea, good info. You may want to consider a large shed and convert it to coop

Thanks! Wow, it looks awful!

 

[Cryss]

Wow, lots of land! I'm so jealous. And I'm sure you have really good sized coops but how big is big? You sound like this isn't going to be your final chicken addition. With that in mind just remember each chicken needs minimally 4sqft of indoor/coop space not including nesting area, and 10sqft/bird in the run area. You probably free range but an enclosed run is still important for times when you can't monitor for predators.
Good luck!

 

[Howard E]

Where are you located? Approximate....just a state or region would help. Where you are located determines what is needed for housing. What matters in Alabama is different than in Maine.

Did you say 20 miles? Did you mean 20 acres? 20 miles would be the size of some entire counties in Missouri. That would offer a lot of room to expand!

It also sounds like you have some experience with houses already. How are these constructed and how are you managing the litter?

It seems you have two directions to go. Continue adding smaller colony houses of various sizes and space them out. Depending on your location, you may be able to throw together some stuff using those that will cheap and adequate. Or, go all in, consolidate and build one bigger house that puts all your eggs in one basket. That is going to be a bigger investment and one that is not easy to back away from if this venture goes south and you want out.

For the larger house option, you could look here for some ideas.....

https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/extension-aben/buildingplans/poultry

These are a collection of older style chicken houses dating back to the 30's, 40's and 50's. A lot of these are getting bigger than what most of us of would consider building today. A lot of good detail, however, regarding fixtures, etc. Sizes for nest boxes, roost bar placements, roost sizes, droppings boards, etc.

After that, you need to decide if you are going to keep them under total confinement, allow them yard time, or allow them to free range.

Yet another option is to go look at similar sized egg operations to see what they are doing. And as this grows, keep in mind local laws that may limit what you can do and where you can do it. You don't want to run into any "Imperial" entanglements.

 

[QuacksALot]

Whoops- I meant 2 miles. I have 4 chicken coops. 365 square feet per chicken coop

 

[QuacksALot]

And, I live in Alabama.

 

[Cryss]

Whoops- I meant 2 miles. I have 4 chicken coops. 365 square feet per chicken coop

room for 91 birds per coop! And 4 coops, thats 365 potential birds total!
One can only dream...

 

[Howard E]

2 miles of land????? Miles is distance. What is the area? In acres?

And can you provide a photograph of your existing coops?

 

[Yummy mummy]

room for 91 birds per coop! And 4 coops, thats 365 potential birds total!
One can only dream...

2 miles of land????? Miles is distance. What is the area? In acres?

And can you provide a photograph of your existing coops?

 

[Yummy mummy]

I’m not sure i have an answer, but reading your post has made me think more for my similar issue, so in response, I think I would build off the first. I was in a similar position this summer. And I don’t think my decision was a good one... I decided to build a second pen and coop only too far apart because The second set of birds did not get along... Now, The ducks and geese are free range in the day, meet in the pond and eat at same location, different times. I spent the summer making a second run attached to the first run and coop- and today is supposed to be moving day for the young laying ducks... I’m worried that when I move their hutch/coop they are going to go back to the old pen- in the dark- which will no longer have a coop... I think I am not going to move the coop, but build yet another one in time for the winter... good luck with your project

 

[123RedBeard]

2 miles?

Do you mean 2 square miles?

Or 2 miles of road frontage? If so, how deep off the road?