California - Northern

[ronott1]

I have a question to ask.... we have a hen house that's 8'x8'... now we are getting ready to build a run.... do you think 8' by 24' is large enough? I'm not sure if we will be able to let them out to run free.... maybe on days that I'll be out there they can be let out to run free.... we're going to town to get the screen and some lumber we will need..... I took 2 of the older hens out today while I sat outside... they are really funny with my dog, the one followed Lucy all over the yard.... then she went over and snuggled right under Lucy and layer down....

For the coop, you need to make sure that there is one foot per chicken for roosting. If they will have daily use of the run, then you can fit more chickens in a setup like that. Most sources say 3 to 4 Square feet per large fowl chicken.

You can pack them tighter with a big run though. I get 16 to 21 chickens(large fowl) for the coop alone.

That would be 16 to 21 feet of roost too.

 

[Granny368W]

For the coop, you need to make sure that there is one foot per chicken for roosting. If they will have daily use of the run, then you can fit more chickens in a setup like that. Most sources say 3 to 4 Square feet per large fowl chicken.

You can pack them tighter with a big run though. I get 16 to 21 chickens(large fowl) for the coop alone.

That would be 16 to 21 feet of roost too.

Well then I'm thinking that all will be okay then... a run that is 8'x24' will be enough for 14 Australorps....aand hhopefully I will be able to llet them out as often as I can... Thank you. ..

 

[caychris]

Well then I'm thinking that all will be okay then... a run that is 8'x24' will be enough for 14 Australorps....aand hhopefully I will be able to llet them out as often as I can... Thank you. ..

Should be plenty. My 10 enjoy a 18' x 6' run and seem fine with that

 

[ronott1]

Well then I'm thinking that all will be okay then... a run that is 8'x24' will be enough for 14 Australorps....aand hhopefully I will be able to llet them out as often as I can... Thank you. ..

That is perfect for 14 australorps!

Make sure to use 2x4s for the roost and lay them flat--so that the chickens will be standing the 4 inch part.

 

[Granny368W]

That is perfect for 14 australorps!

Make sure to use 2x4s for the roost and lay them flat--so that the chickens will be standing the 4 inch part.

oh no, well have to change the roosting bars, we used 2"x2" but that will be easy to fix... now I'm really getting excited to get this project finished up!

 

[ronott1]

oh no, well have to change the roosting bars, we used 2"x2" but that will be easy to fix... now I'm really getting excited to get this project finished up!

The 2x2 would work until they are big. Australorps need the full 4" or they can hurt their breast. They can get sores and deformities from a too narrow roost. You can feel a notch from it sometimes. The same is true for other big breeds.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

oh no, well have to change the roosting bars, we used 2"x2" but that will be easy to fix... now I'm really getting excited to get this project finished up!

The 2x2 would work until they are big. Australorps need the full 4" or they can hurt their breast. They can get sores and deformities from a too narrow roost. You can feel a notch from it sometimes. The same is true for other big breeds.

Really? I guess I should change out my Orp's roosts then.

 

[HighStreetCoop]

Mommas and peepers. Today is day five. So far it seems to be going well.

 

[Granny368W]

Mommas and peepers. Today is day five. So far it seems to be going well.

The other hens don't pick on the babies?

 

[Granny368W]

The other hens don't pick on the babies?

That's really good... but I'm wondering why the hens all pick on a younger one, then..... maybe because the mother of the chicks would get them...