"chickeohns" stressing me :(

[sueandthe6]

So I have had these guys for a bit over a month now. I was so excited when I got them...looking forward to the eggs and just getting to watch them. Well- I do have eggs but no time to watch them, a dog who wants to kill them and stress over the amount of space they have. I got a 5 by 5 coop, 12 hens and 2 roos. I kept the coop, 5 hens and one roo. Then that week a cute little thing which I now know to be a cochin was left at the shelter where I work and she came home with me. So I have the coop and then a 5 x15 chain link kennel attached. part of the kennel is covered- well all of it right now but I feel like they need more space and know they need a better roof. I have the whole thing tarped now- but a few people have suggested I simply cover a small part of the kennel and leave the rest open to the sun with just wire over it to keep them in. I wanted to free range but with the dog the way she is it isn't an option. I want to eventually get more chain link panels but right now feel like maybe the space is not big enough for what I have. There are 2 orpingtons, 2 leghorns, the cochin and a medium sized mixed breed plus evil bud the roo. So 5 x 5 coop plus 5 by 15 run for 7 birds. What are the opinions on room? Last week I was contemplating rehoming all but bud who would be dog food (he's not exactly social) but I've found a handyman who might be able to get me a slanted roof over the whole darn thing instead of messing around with tarps. He also might be able to help me get two more chain link panels up so they have more space. Right now all I do is look at them and think I need to do this and that and this and that, and working three jobs doesn't leave a lot of time for anything. So to sum up the rambling... how many chickens would be "ok" in a 5 x 15 kennel with a 5 x 5 coop attached. Also what are thoughts on a small 5 x 5 covered area then the rest 5 x 10 just covered with wire>? I love them and want to enjoy them- not feel like they are "cooped" up too much. ps. also just spent half an hour reading and worrying about one getting egg bound and not realizing it soon enough and about frozen combs in the winter - I am in pa and although last year was extreme we do get below freezing regularly. ugggggggg

 

[rachelofmany]

I wouldn't put more than 5 chickens in that space. My first thought was predators getting into your run. A raccoon could scale that fencing pretty easily and slip right in (or tear in) to the tarp. I would put wire over the entire run and if you feel you need to cover it, cover over the wire. I've had a big issue with predators lately and I'm in the city with what I thought was a pretty secure area. I've got raccoons tearing into my covered porch every night and trying their best to get through livestock wire but so far they can't.

 

[jetdog]

So I have had these guys for a bit over a month now.  I was so excited when I got them...looking forward to the eggs and just getting to watch them.   Well- I do have eggs but no time to watch them, a dog who wants to kill them and stress over the amount of space they have.  I got a 5 by 5 coop, 12 hens and 2 roos.    I kept the coop, 5 hens and one roo.  Then that week a cute little thing which I now know to be a cochin was left at the shelter where I work and she came home with me.   So I have the coop and then a 5 x15 chain link kennel attached.   part of the kennel is covered- well all of it right now but I feel like they need more space and know they need a better roof.   I have the whole thing tarped now- but a few people have suggested I simply cover a small part of the kennel and leave the rest open to the sun with just wire over it to keep them in.   I wanted to free range but with the dog the way she is it isn't an option. I want to eventually get more chain link panels but right now feel like maybe the space is not big enough for what I have.   There are 2 orpingtons, 2 leghorns, the cochin and a medium sized mixed breed plus evil bud the roo.   So 5 x 5 coop plus 5 by 15 run for 7 birds.   What are the opinions on room?    Last week I was contemplating rehoming all but bud who would be dog food (he's not exactly social)  but I've found a handyman who might be able to get me a slanted roof over the whole darn thing instead of messing around with tarps.   He also might be able to help me get two more chain link panels up so they have more space.  Right now all I do is look at them and think I need to do this and that and this and that,  and working three jobs doesn't leave a lot of time for anything.    So to sum up the rambling... how many chickens would be "ok" in a 5 x 15 kennel with a 5 x 5 coop attached.  Also what are thoughts on a small 5 x 5 covered area then the rest 5 x 10 just covered with wire>?   I love them and want to enjoy them- not feel like they are "cooped" up too much.   ps.  also just spent half an hour reading and worrying about one getting egg bound and not realizing it soon enough and about frozen combs in the winter - I am in pa and although last year was extreme we do get below freezing regularly.     ugggggggg

I would lose the rooster why keep it if your not going to hatch eggs and 1 less mouth to feed. I have a dog kennel with a roof and love it, keeps them safe and dry all year, in the winter I wrap 3 sides with a heavy canvas and a clear shower curtain on the front, it keeps the snow out and lets the sunshine in kinda like a greenhouse effect. With everything covered it definitely gives them more freedom in the winter instead of being stuck in the coop.