breeding pen design?

[ki4got]

Ok, maybe I'm counting chickens before they hatch, but I like to plan ahead...

I'm thinking I'll want a few smallish pens, 1 roo 1-2 hens (LF). what would be a minimum space for such a setup? also, what kind of housing would be minimal for such a thing?

I would only keep then in these during the late spring/summer months, then once I've got enough hatched I would let them back into the group to free range again the rest of the year, or if I have a request for pure bred eggs...

I'm thinking of making more 'hoop coops' like what I've already got (and hardly use since everyone free ranges now).

here's a pic of the pen and doghouse coop I did originally, but the chicks outgrew the doghouse and moved into their new coop last night...

Looking for any/all comments, post pics of what you like, whatever! and thanks.

 

[Judy]

I don't see why that wouldn't be fine for a breeding pen.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
what I'm trying to find out is what size would be the minimum for a pen for trios... I've seen people mention cages, 4x4, 2x4 etc... space is not limitless around here, nor are the dollars LOL and that was my only spare doghouse LOL

 

[ki4got]

anyone else? I'm looking for alternatives to what I have or suggestions for other ideas?

 

[onthespot]

Not very secure. If your poodle has a high prey drive, it will put its front feet right through that wire and you will be out of the chicken business. Same for any other predator that wants in.

 

[TigerLilly]

Quote:
That's what I was going to say--then it wont matter the size of the pen.
The general rule of thumb is for the coop to be 4 sq ft per bird (3 LF would need 12 sq ft) & the run would be 10 sq ft per=30 sq ft. If you free range any, they can probably do with a little less.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
I'm not worried about predators, the dogs etc... what I'm looking for are design ideas for individual breeding pens.

the dogs run with the free ranging birds every day. in fact my horses have done more damage to the hoop coop than anything else, for trying to get at the feed inside it.

but even then all they did was shove the doghouse out of the way to try reaching in the door...

I'm trying to figure out, for summertime, do they need an actual coop or just a covered area to protect from rain or a true 'coop'? what other designs have people used successfully? what about cages for keeping pairs or trios? size? etc...

forget about predators. the only ones we worry about are bobcats and bears, and if they want in, not much is going to stand in their way... anything smaller and my s'poos dispatch them rapidly. (yes they have a very high prey drive, but chickens are part of the 'pack' and thus deserve protection.)

 

[rittert3]

What breeds are you looking at for seperate pens. The size and nature of the birds has alot to do with the size of the pen. I might beable to give you some ideas if you can let us know what breeds.

 

[ki4got]

Quote:
dorking for sure, marans and/or possibly araucana LF, and possibly some bantams (cochin/silkie/oegb).

 

[onthespot]

Marans roos can tend to wear out the hens backs pretty quick if they are confined. One thing you might consider is caging the roos separately, and putting the intended pair in a breeding cage or small run, just long enough to get your hen treaded properly. Then separate the pair, hen back in a hens only flock, and roo back to his cage. Hen stays pretty looking and much happier, roo stays out of trouble and does not get himself hurt or killed for just doing what roos do naturally.