Hello chicken friends,
My sister is thinking of getting my parents old coop and run so she can get chickens, but I think she's extremely misinformed about how many chickens can healthily fit. She remembers the coop we had as kids, which by modern, better-educated standards, was much too small. What is your favorite well-presented, concise but accurate website on housing chickens? I'm trying to keep family peace, and look out for my possible chicken nieces.
The longer version: My parents lost their last chicken this week. As seniors, they were looking to get out of chickens but that last chicken proved a blessing. Shortly before selling their old home, they had a predator attack with one surviving hen. My dad moved to their new home site in a small trailer, while my disabled mom moved in with me. Their remaining hen, Frea, they outfitted with a simple small feed store coop that they then reinforced, meshed under, insulated and heated. It was a very stressful time for my dad, trying to organize the build of their new home, making sure my mom's disability would be accommodated in the new home, their general contractor that had become a close friend died unexpectedly mid build, taking on working with all the subcontractors and though my home isn't far away, he was lonely. Enter Frea the Isa Brown. My dad, concerned she was lonely too, started letting Frea out loose. My dad became her flock, and she became his bright point in a day. Frea was good about staying out of the way of anything dangerous. She loved to follow the perplexed construction workers around. She quickly grasped the concept of "lunchtime", and would trade one light grazing "pet" for a piece of various lunches. An electrician left his work van open and Frea decided it would be an excellent spot for a nap. Thankfully a well-timed "Buk!" saved the electrician from taking her home accidentally. Much like a friendly dog, Frea would come see if I had treats as soon as I got out of the car. My parents finished their home not too long ago, and with it my dad spending more time indoors. We were looking to find a friend for Frea when she passed. Thank you, Frea, for taking care of my dad. You were an excellent chicken.
The problem with my sister taking Frea's house is that it's tiny. It's one of the smaller feed store prefabs, you know those ones with signs saying they can house two to three times as many hens as could healthily do so. Plus Frea was only locked in overnight, she had a less secure bigger run or being loose during the day. For one chicken, mostly locked in only at night, it was fine. I don't know if it's enough for even two, and would definitely need a bigger run.
What website do you think educates best on chicken housing, in such a way people tend to be receptive?
My sister is thinking of getting my parents old coop and run so she can get chickens, but I think she's extremely misinformed about how many chickens can healthily fit. She remembers the coop we had as kids, which by modern, better-educated standards, was much too small. What is your favorite well-presented, concise but accurate website on housing chickens? I'm trying to keep family peace, and look out for my possible chicken nieces.
The longer version: My parents lost their last chicken this week. As seniors, they were looking to get out of chickens but that last chicken proved a blessing. Shortly before selling their old home, they had a predator attack with one surviving hen. My dad moved to their new home site in a small trailer, while my disabled mom moved in with me. Their remaining hen, Frea, they outfitted with a simple small feed store coop that they then reinforced, meshed under, insulated and heated. It was a very stressful time for my dad, trying to organize the build of their new home, making sure my mom's disability would be accommodated in the new home, their general contractor that had become a close friend died unexpectedly mid build, taking on working with all the subcontractors and though my home isn't far away, he was lonely. Enter Frea the Isa Brown. My dad, concerned she was lonely too, started letting Frea out loose. My dad became her flock, and she became his bright point in a day. Frea was good about staying out of the way of anything dangerous. She loved to follow the perplexed construction workers around. She quickly grasped the concept of "lunchtime", and would trade one light grazing "pet" for a piece of various lunches. An electrician left his work van open and Frea decided it would be an excellent spot for a nap. Thankfully a well-timed "Buk!" saved the electrician from taking her home accidentally. Much like a friendly dog, Frea would come see if I had treats as soon as I got out of the car. My parents finished their home not too long ago, and with it my dad spending more time indoors. We were looking to find a friend for Frea when she passed. Thank you, Frea, for taking care of my dad. You were an excellent chicken.
The problem with my sister taking Frea's house is that it's tiny. It's one of the smaller feed store prefabs, you know those ones with signs saying they can house two to three times as many hens as could healthily do so. Plus Frea was only locked in overnight, she had a less secure bigger run or being loose during the day. For one chicken, mostly locked in only at night, it was fine. I don't know if it's enough for even two, and would definitely need a bigger run.
What website do you think educates best on chicken housing, in such a way people tend to be receptive?
