Coop and run modifications

[3KillerBs]

Yes, Exactly 7.5 chickens...no more, no less.

The space requirements are, of course, *guidelines*, not hard-and-fast rules.

 

[bhawk-23]

We had 8 pullets inside that coop. They started roosting outside at about 24 weeks.

Yes, it is getting very warm and stuffy on the hot humid days. If "technically" the ventilation is a good ratio then maybe it is just the blaring sun from early until 11 am. Nonetheless, something needs to be changed just from the disdain my girls show for it and the wasted space. I can invest in some higher grade shade curtains as these older cheap ones have been an improvement.

We currently have 7 hens, 12 chicks (of which 5 or 6 are pullets), 6 Silkie chicks and 1 Serama chick.

I am supposed to pick up Serama pullet this weekend. I think I will cancel that trip.

Total amount of predator proof space is 130 sq ft. The coop will hopefully feel like an extension of the run and not a whole separate space once we open up that wall some..

I currently have a separate 12 sq ft coop for the Silkies to sleep, inside the run, when the time comes.

I have homes ready for hens/pullets when decision time comes.

****Worst case scenario****

13 full sized hens, 6 Silkies and 1 Serama.

****Best case scenario****

10 full sized hens, 1 Serama and 3 Silkies.

****Realistic case scenario****

??????????????

Give it to me straight! What modifications can make my "best case scenario" work, if any? Or what is the actual number of chickens, including the Serama and Silkies, my current space allows?

Thanks so much!
BTW: Is there a chicken anonymous support group I can call????

 

[3KillerBs]

We had 8 pullets inside that coop. They started roosting outside at about 24 weeks.

Yes, it is getting very warm and stuffy on the hot humid days. If "technically" the ventilation is a good ratio then maybe it is just the blaring sun from early until 11 am. Nonetheless, something needs to be changed just from the disdain my girls show for it and the wasted space. I can invest in some higher grade shade curtains as these older cheap ones have been an improvement.

We currently have 7 hens, 12 chicks (of which 5 or 6 are pullets), 6 Silkie chicks and 1 Serama chick.

I am supposed to pick up Serama pullet this weekend. I think I will cancel that trip.

Total amount of predator proof space is 130 sq ft. The coop will hopefully feel like an extension of the run and not a whole separate space once we open up that wall some..

I currently have a separate 12 sq ft coop for the Silkies to sleep, inside the run, when the time comes.

I have homes ready for hens/pullets when decision time comes.

****Worst case scenario****

13 full sized hens, 6 Silkies and 1 Serama.

****Best case scenario****

10 full sized hens, 1 Serama and 3 Silkies.

****Realistic case scenario****

??????????????

Give it to me straight! What modifications can make my "best case scenario" work, if any? Or what is the actual number of chickens, including the Serama and Silkies, my current space allows?

Thanks so much!
BTW: Is there a chicken anonymous support group I can call????

I have just shy of 5 square feet of ventilation in the Little Monitor Coop and the brooder has 16 feet of permanent ventilation and 10 feet supplemental. I still had to add shade.

Making the coop and run work as an integrated unit generally increases the possible numbers, but crowding causes both social and sanitation problems.

I have no experience with bantams.

Only time will really tell.

 

[bhawk-23]

View attachment 2743718

I have just shy of 5 square feet of ventilation in the Little Monitor Coop and the brooder has 16 feet of permanent ventilation and 10 feet supplemental. I still had to add shade.

Making the coop and run work as an integrated unit generally increases the possible numbers, but crowding causes both social and sanitation problems.

I have no experience with bantams.

Only time will really tell.

Makes sense. If I'm sitting in my car in direct sunlight I'm gonna be hot even if all the windows are open. When stated that way makes total sense. If I move my car into the shade it helps. Lol

 

[bill3607]

Yes, Exactly 7.5 chickens...no more, no less.

Yes, and good thing it was 7.5 and not 7.133333 or something. At least now you can just cut that chicken right down the middle.

 

[kodster]

Personally, I think the coop being so close to the 6' privacy fence is what is cutting your airflow opportunity. You can add all the ventilation windows you want, but if you're blocking the airflow by having such a narrow space from an outside obstacle, you're still not going to get the airflow you want to keep it cooler for the flock. It's just a matter of aerodynamics.

The United States is experiencing an increase in temperatures, across the board, this season, and it's only going to get worse in the next 10+ years. Judgment is by fire, this time around, if you're a believer in Christ, you'll understand what I'm talking about. We're already seeing the beginning of it.

 

[bhawk-23]

Personally, I think the coop being so close to the 6' privacy fence is what is cutting your airflow opportunity. You can add all the ventilation windows you want, but if you're blocking the airflow by having such a narrow space from an outside obstacle, you're still not going to get the airflow you want to keep it cooler for the flock. It's just a matter of aerodynamics.

The United States is experiencing an increase in temperatures, across the board, this season, and it's only going to get worse in the next 10+ years. Judgment is by fire, this time around, if you're a believer in Christ, you'll understand what I'm talking about. We're already seeing the beginning of it.

I agree about the fence 100%. But this cannot be changed without MAJOR construction which is why I am attempting to make it closer to a 3 sided coop with the option to close it up if needed. The attached predator proof run (well as much as possible) gets a breeze but the coop wall blocks it from entering the coop. I've added 5 sq ft to the north side and we will add between 4-6 sq ft on the south side and hopefully utilize that air flow. Hubs will be home for 3 weeks starting next Wed so let the remodel begin! lol

 

[kodster]

I agree about the fence 100%. But this cannot be changed without MAJOR construction which is why I am attempting to make it closer to a 3 sided coop with the option to close it up if needed. The attached predator proof run (well as much as possible) gets a breeze but the coop wall blocks it from entering the coop. I've added 5 sq ft to the north side and we will add between 4-6 sq ft on the south side and hopefully utilize that air flow. Hubs will be home for 3 weeks starting next Wed so let the remodel begin! lol

I completely understand. You also have property lines to deal with, and bringing the coop more into your yard, away from the fence is also a major consideration for re-construction issues. Perhaps installing ceiling fans to help with the airflow may help? Consider the ventilation fans that they use for greenhouse air circulation that would come on with solar/temperature increases, but shut off when the temps are cooler. These don't require an independent electrical source unless you already have electricity run to the area, as they're triggered by solar energy.

 

[kodster]

Here's something to consider, if you want to pay that much for it. It may be the answer you're seeking, without having to do major renovation:

https://www.amazon.com/Pumplus-Powe...1dfc6&pd_rd_wg=kC1ju&pd_rd_i=B08B84CDJ6&psc=1

It moves about 800 cubic feet per minute of air... plenty to get the hot air moving out of the coop. And it's solar, so no need to have electricity run out to the coop.

 

[3KillerBs]

If you go with a fan you need to be sure to get one that's rated for outdoor and barn use.

Chickens and their bedding generate huge amounts of dust. The best scenario is that the fan simply chokes up and stops working. Since the chicken dander and the dust from the bedding are both flammable you can easily start a fire.