Can I acodomate/rescue x3 more hens?

[MB13534]

I have a friend who is trying to rehome his x3 three year old laying Plymouth Barred Rocks in Portland Maine. I have x7 24 week old Hens and this is my first time raisin chickens. I have a small coop with 2 roosting bars (see attached image). It has a lifted roof so it has good ventilation. I also have a large 8x16 enclosed run, and I also typically let them free range in about 1500sqft. I will also winterize the run with 4ft high clear shower curtain to cut back the wind with the upcoming winter to encourage them to go outside. With the extra space, I think they would only use the coop to sleep. I am trying to figure out if I can take in these 3 hens, or if we need to look for other options. It would be for a total of 10 hens. Thanks very much

 

[FrostRanger]

I'd need measurements but that looks too small for the birds you have now. For 10 birds you'd need 40sqft of coop space, 10sqft of roost space, 10sqft of ventilation (20-30 in a hot climate) and 100sqft of run space (your run is 128sqft so that's good) at a bare minimum. You don't want to skimp on space either as chickens can develop some very nasty behaviors if they don't have enough room

 

[Ridgerunner]

Those guidelines work reasonably well most of the time after they are fully integrated. Sometimes they don't (each chicken has its own personality and each flock has its ow dynamics) but there is a reason they are guidelines. They usually work. If yours are locked in the coop only for extended periods of time (think snow for example) then it can get more risky. With the covered run and by using that plastic you may be able to keep at least a portion of that run available all winter. Cold should not bother them but wind or snow can.

Integration often takes more room. I assume your 24-week-olds are laying so it is more like adult to adult integration as opposed to mature versus immature integration. Adult to adult is usually easier and is usually over faster. A typical way to integrate adults to adults is to house them side-by-side for a week or so where they can see each other then let them mingle and see what happens. With luck they sort out the pecking order fairly peacefully and you are good to go.

Looking at your photos (thanks for those) and using proportions it looks like your coop section is 4' x 8'. If so, you are already maxed out. I would not try to add any more.

 

[K0k0shka]

Your coop looks too small for the number of chickens you already have. I would not add any more. Also, don't fall for the "they only sleep and lay there, it can be small" trap. Sleeping and laying are high drama times in a chicken's day, when they squabble over who lays where and who sleeps where. If they are cramped during those times and can't get out of each other's faces, the drama can escalate. Integrating newcomers is an even more stressful and dramatic event in a chicken's life (for both sides), and requires even more space - way more than the minimum (and it looks like you're over the minimum, too) - for it to go smoothly. The two sets of chickens need to be separated by a divider at first, that they can see each other through - do you have the room for that in that tiny coop? Then, when you do merge them, they need to have enough room to walk past each other without being within striking distance. Chickens are mean creatures and things can get ugly fast. I would not risk it.

 

[Dominique King]

Is your friend selling them or are they rehoming them for free?

 

[Dominique King]

Oh and are you located in Maine as well? Or are you somewhere else?
I am in New Hampshire.