coop addition or separate coop?

[buckbeak]

Well, I know it depends on whether or not I want to separate breeds, but right now I don't think I would do that. Should I build another coop or add on to the one I have? I'm not sure how hard that would be. What are the advantages and disadvantages of both? My current flock of 9 (6bantams) is fine in the coop, but with my addition of 5 Welsummers(3 weeks old, thanks Sara!) I'm afraid they'll be too crowded. THey have plenty of run space and can free range for a few hours daily. Any ideas? I'd need 20 more square feet for the Welsummers, right? That's floor space, isn't it, or does headroom play a part?
I'm at the beginning of thinking about this & would appreciate any direction whatsoever!
Thanks!
Carol

 

[justusnak]

I guess it really depends on you. Would it be easier to build on or just build another one? Do you have room for another one? Im not sure what your coop looks like...so its hard to tell whether or not building on would work. Got pics of the coop and run??

 

[buckbeak]

Oh, duh- I should have thought! I'll take some tomorrow & post them.
I currently have 7 hens and two( I think) roos in a 5x5 coop, which is pretty small, but 7 of them are banties. There are 4 nest boxes which they access from the coop, but are an addition to the floor space. They fit nicely on one roost- we build another, but they won't use it. THey only go in there to sleep & lay- all the daylight is spent in the run or in the yard.
I know the number of roos I end up with should also play a factor.

 

[erinm]

Is your buckbeak after buckbeak in harry potter or just buckbeak reference to birds? Erinm

 

[buckbeak]

Harry Potter. All my birds except Eleanor(from the movie Contact) and Buttercup(from Princess Bride) are named for Harry Potter characters. Buckbeak was supposed to be a hen, but surprised us when he started to crow.

 

[justusnak]

ok...let me get this right...you have 9 chickens...7 are banties....right? And the coop is 5x5. Thats 25 sq ft. So...IF im right...8 sq ft for the standards...14 sq ft for the banties....thats 22 sq ft. They should be ok! thats IF im right on the amount of birds! LOL