Brooder size, location question.

[aart]

I'd say you definitely need another coop, one big enough for all would be best.
Run is sweet and probably big enough once they all make nice together,
but might be tight for integration.
Have you been thru a winter with the eglu?

 

[Missuswayne]

I'd say you definitely need another coop, one big enough for all would be best.
Run is sweet and probably big enough once they all make nice together,
but might be tight for integration.
Have you been thru a winter with the eglu?

My chickens have been in the Eglu since September. (I originally had 4 but my leghorn died recently of ovarian cancer). Winter was fine, but it was fairly mild and wet. I’m in the Delaware Valley and winters have been getting warmer - not even one snowstorm this year. They only sleep and lay in the coop. Lots of time in the run and I give them a minimum of 1 hour free ranging time each day.
I only spent $150 on my Eglu secondhand and I keep looking for another on Craigslist but no luck. Even if I bought one new and added it to the other end of my run as a second coop (just the house, no run) I’d still come out ahead given what a good coop costs, and the resale will be good on the Eglu since it lasts forever.
But I am more than open to suggestions!

 

[aart]

Yes, this winter wasn't much of a winter, but I wouldn't count on it staying that way.

Small spaces just make me cringe, they add to the work and they can work fine until they don't. My second winter I kept too many birds for the space I have(which is large) Chicken Cabin Fever is real and it got ugly. Have read numerous stories about bloody aggression in too small of a space.

Having two coops to match your population might work....or they may all want to crowd into one coop. Chicken housing is not cheap, you'll have to do what you think is best for you.
If you get another eglu I'd attach it to the other end of run, then clutter up your run for hiding places.

Here's some tips about......
Integration Basics:
It's all about territory and resources(space/food/water).
Existing birds will almost always attack new ones to defend their resources.
Understanding chicken behaviors is essential to integrating new birds into your flock.

Confine new birds within sight but physically segregated from older/existing birds for several weeks, so they can see and get used to each other but not physically interact.

In adjacent runs, spread scratch grains along the dividing mesh, best if mesh is just big enough for birds to stick their head thru, so they get used to eating together.

The more space, the better. Birds will peck to establish dominance, the pecked bird needs space to get away. As long as there's no copious blood drawn and/or new bird is not trapped/pinned down and beaten unmercilessly, let them work it out. Every time you interfere or remove new birds, they'll have to start the pecking order thing all over again.

Multiple feed/water stations. Dominance issues are most often carried out over sustenance, more stations lessens the frequency of that issue.

Places for the new birds to hide 'out of line of sight'(but not a dead end trap) and/or up and away from any bully birds. Roosts, pallets or boards leaned up against walls or up on concrete blocks, old chairs tables, branches, logs, stumps out in the run can really help. Lots of diversion and places to 'hide' instead of bare wide open run.
Good ideas for hiding places:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/a-cluttered-run.1323792/

 

[Missuswayne]

Yes, this winter wasn't much of a winter, but I wouldn't count on it staying that way.

Small spaces just make me cringe, they add to the work and they can work fine until they don't. My second winter I kept too many birds for the space I have(which is large) Chicken Cabin Fever is real and it got ugly. Have read numerous stories about bloody aggression in too small of a space.

Having two coops to match your population might work....or they may all want to crowd into one coop. Chicken housing is not cheap, you'll have to do what you think is best for you.
If you get another eglu I'd attach it to the other end of run, then clutter up your run for hiding places.

Thanks for your advice...what you say definitely makes sense.

Still trying to work all this out, my wheels are turning - thanks to the pandemic I have loads of time for projects.

I can definitely spend quite a bit less by just DIY'ing a new, bigger coop onto the other end of the run while I'm brooding the babies indoors, move the big girls into the new one, then repurpose the existing Eglu and Eglu run next to the big run as the grow out area once the babies can move outside. Eventually the Eglu can serve as my infirmary when needed. Or as a grow-out again down the road.

In any event, this is a great distraction as I live about an hour from NYC, and anything that helps distract from what's happening there is welcome