Australia - Six states..and that funny little island.

[appps]

I agree that it definitely won't be big enough (the box said for 6) but it might be a scaled up version of the one you bought as they aren't having any problem with the ramp. It was all I could afford at the moment and I'm hoping it will do until I figure out which ones are roos and maybe have the confidence to build my own. Also the backyard is not overly huge especially with my bathtub garden beds. I really need to rearrange my yard. I've got the materials to build them a bit of a run but I'd like to free range them when their older. I felt it was extremely important to get them out of where they were. They've grown so much in just the last 3 days. It's crazy. The photo is so you can get an idea of how big the coop is next to a 5 year old girl.

It is a little bigger. Ours stopped at the door and didn't have that extra piece after it. They are optimistic to say 6 though. I like the white colour, mine was just boring brown Just be aware with the free ranging, we did that for three years then our luck ran out and a goshawk took one of our fully grown bantams. If you are going to free range they need lots of places to hide not just open lawn.

 

[sjturner79]

It is a little bigger. Ours stopped at the door and didn't have that extra piece after it. They are optimistic to say 6 though. I like the white colour, mine was just boring brown

Just be aware with the free ranging, we did that for three years then our luck ran out and a goshawk took one of our fully grown bantams. If you are going to free range they need lots of places to hide not just open lawn.

I'm not sure what type of chooks your running, but that coop is suitable for about 4 full grown bantams, or could sleep 6, or 4 full size chooks, providing they spent most of the day outside. If your bathtubs have 2" clearance under them they make great safety spots for smaller chooks.

 

[sjturner79]

I'm not sure what type of chooks your running, but that coop is suitable for about 4 full grown bantams, or could sleep 6, or 4 full size chooks, providing they spent most of the day outside. If your bathtubs have 2" clearance under them they make great safety spots for smaller chooks.

I replied to the wrong person it should have been @lavender11

 

[Lavender11]

It is a little bigger. Ours stopped at the door and didn't have that extra piece after it. They are optimistic to say 6 though. I like the white colour, mine was just boring brown

Just be aware with the free ranging, we did that for three years then our luck ran out and a goshawk took one of our fully grown bantams. If you are going to free range they need lots of places to hide not just open lawn.

Now that I have chickens I'm seeing just how little shade we have in our back yard. My fig tree and mulberry tree are just babies still and don't provide much shade. Some of the bath tubs are closer together so I'm going to run some boards between them as temporary shade. Their first night and they're curled up in a corner in the bottom. They haven't gone near their 'cave' that's been their bed for the last 4 weeks. There's a breeze so I'm thinking about taping some cardboard along the wire for a wind break.

 

[Lavender11]

I'm not sure what type of chooks your running, but that coop is suitable for about 4 full grown bantams, or could sleep 6, or 4 full size chooks, providing they spent most of the day outside. If your bathtubs have 2" clearance under them they make great safety spots for smaller chooks.

They're Pekin bantams and I agree, I can't imagine it being comfortable for even four full sized bantams. My friend has a few and she lets hers free range completely and they sleep in a dog kennel. I was hoping to free range but lock them up at night. I have nine at the moment but I really only wanted about 4 so I'm having to adjust my plans. Being a newbie at incubating I really didn't expect all the ones that made it to lock down to actually hatch, especially as I couldn't get the humidity right and we had a black out for a short period of time the day before they hatched.

I'll be using some parts of old pallets leaning against the bathtubs for extra protection.

 

[Lavender11]

I just let mine have access to the whole thing. And grass is better down the bottom. Just make sure they have some grit and keep them on short grass.

Is there a place I can find grit for chicks online? I can't seem to find anything except grit for grown chickens.

 

[Fancychooklady]

Is there a place I can find grit for chicks online? I can't seem to find anything except grit for grown chickens.

Shell grit is the same for both adult and juvenile chickens, but not necesary whilst chicks are on starter and if you give them access to the ground they will find their own.
It aids in digestion as chickens don't have teeth ,and is not a calcium supplement.

 

[EllaLouise94]

Hmmm I would think if you use one for sensitive skin? You would be better off making sure they have heaps and heaps of shade instead though. Mine spend very little time in the sun except first thing in the morning. I don't think they would stay in it long enough in summer to get burnt if given the option of shade.

There unfortunately aren't many shady trees around but they do seem to be staying in their shed, it's just that the sun is so harsh when they do go out I don't want them to end up with sore bottoms! Thanks for the feedback

I certainly wouldn't. There are plenty of humans that get bad chemical burns from sunscreen

I have never heard of people getting chemical burns from sunscreen? Only allergic reactions to the non-sensitive skin ones. But hey that's just me!! Thanks for the feedback

 

[appps]

I suggested grit as they are just on a patch of grass not really running round where they will find grit sized rocks. Having had compacted crop surgery here full of wound up undigested grass I like to err on the side of caution these days when they start eating grass and make sure they have something in their crop to grind down that grass. You can buy stone grit for birds at the pet shop, I was surprised just how large the stone size is for just a cockatiel, nowhere near plain dirt size or sand. It wasn't unlike the finer gravel size of fish tank gravel but not as smooth. So unless they have access to fine stones I'd be giving them bought grit.

 

[appps]

There unfortunately aren't many shady trees around but they do seem to be staying in their shed, it's just that the sun is so harsh when they do go out I don't want them to end up with sore bottoms! Thanks for the feedback
I have never heard of people getting chemical burns from sunscreen? Only allergic reactions to the non-sensitive skin ones. But hey that's just me!! Thanks for the feedback

How hot does it get where you are over summer. You may need to rig up something shade wise to help keep them cool when the real heat hits. Is their shed going to get hot in summer or is it fairly cool?