Brooder to coop

[Ridgerunner]

Three to one. They will be OK outside. Leave them locked in that coop section only for about a week so they get used to it as a safe place to sleep. That doesn't always work, sometimes you have to still train them to go to bed in the coop, but it's worth a try.

I'm not sure how big that coop actually is but it will be plenty big enough for 6 chicks that age. Since you are in Florida they will be able to go outside all day every day which will take a lot of pressure off of coop size. I assume that frame will eventually be their run.

 

[Nlmack]

When I bought the coop it stated that it was sufficient for up to 6 chickens. The run is attached to the coop so that when I open the coop door they have direct access to the run.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Okay. Two to one! . Attached is a picture of my coop. Does it look sufficient?

It's not a popularity contest LOL. Every keeper handles things differently. Read the information each person gives you and decide if it makes sense/works for you or not.

As far as the coop, for now it's okay. It is severely lacking in ventilation for a hot climate, and if it's the coop I'm thinking of it's really only big enough for maybe 2 or 3 adults. You may want to consider turning your run into a coop/run combo instead, if you can predator proof it well enough.

Normally I'm a fan of locking chicks into a coop for a week or two to home them to it, but this coop does not have sufficient natural light nor ventilation to safely do so.

 

[Nlmack]

This is the coop. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-mini-defender-coop-mdc001

It does have vents on both sides.

 

[rosemarythyme]

This is the coop. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-mini-defender-coop-mdc001

It does have vents on both sides.

So here's some recommended minimums for space. Keep in mind this is only a general guideline:
- 4 sq ft per bird in floor space in coop, not including nest boxes
- 10 sq ft per bird in run (which I believe you have)
- 1 sq ft ventilation per bird open 24/7 (those round vents are about 0.10 sq ft each, by my guess) in moderate climates
- 1 linear ft per bird in roost space, placed 12" away from walls and 14-16" apart from another roost

If you are open to the idea of modifying the coop and attached mini run it'll be closer to those numbers, but still fall a little short.

To turn it from 2 small "boxes" (tiny coop above tiny run) into 1 bigger "box" you'll want to remove as much of the inside coop wall as possible, plus the floor. Take out the old roosts too.

Nests might be able to stay as is, or may need to be relocated elsewhere or replaced - depends on the structure of the coop and how things inside stack up once done.

Run a new roost(s) lengthwise or widthwise across the newly open space, depending on how much roost is needed. Ideally you’d like 12” per bird but 10” can suffice in many cases.

Board up some of the external wire walls so that the roost area is protected from winds and rain. Do NOT fully cover up all the wire, you need ventilation and natural light, so at the very least a few inches under the roofline should remain open. If your climate allows for it, you can leave entire walls open with just the mesh, or make it convertible for the season by covering up open walls for winter, and then uncovering for summer.

Example of a modified prefab: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-renovated-prefab-coop.1440258/

 

[Nlmack]

I love that! Thank you for sharing this with me!