Coop and run size

[Mamatomany123]

Hi, I got 7 chicks almost 2 weeks ago. Right now we have them in an large dog crate because they started flying out of their box. Husband and I have decided it's time to get their coop and run finished but before we do I want to be sure the size is good. we are building both. Our coop is 5 x 8. That's already finished so I hope it's big enough. Our run is still being worked on and we plan of finishing this week. It will be 35' x 15'. Do these measurements sound good. We can definitely extend our run if needed.

Oops, forgot to add we have 2 easter Eggers and 5 production blues. I'm honestly unsure of what production blues are but through research have found that they are a mix between RIRs and australorps.

 

[DobieLover]

Hi, I got 7 chicks almost 2 weeks ago. Right now we have them in an large dog crate because they started flying out of their box. Husband and I have decided it's time to get their coop and run finished but before we do I want to be sure the size is good. we are building both. Our coop is 5 x 8. That's already finished so I hope it's big enough. Our run is still being worked on and we plan of finishing this week. It will be 35' x 15'. Do these measurements sound good. We can definitely extend our run if needed.

Oops, forgot to add we have 2 easter Eggers and 5 production blues. I'm honestly unsure of what production blues are but through research have found that they are a mix between RIRs and australorps.

Both sound very good size wise.
Are you using poop boards? Is your coop walk-in style?
Care to share pictures??
Where are you located? You can update you profile with this general information as it is very helpful when you post.
Welcome to BYC!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Both sound very good size wise.
Are you using poop boards? Is your coop walk-in style?
Care to share pictures??
Where are you located? You can update you profile with this general information as it is very helpful when you post.
Welcome to BYC!

My coop is walk in. The run will also be about 7 ft tall. I will share pics when I get some. Somehow I didnt think to take any yet
I will update my profile but we are in west texas.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Both sound very good size wise.
Are you using poop boards? Is your coop walk-in style?
Care to share pictures??
Where are you located? You can update you profile with this general information as it is very helpful when you post.
Welcome to BYC!

Also, unsure of what a poop board is. Sorry, this is my first set of chickens so still learning. I'm super excited that all are still thriving though.

 

[DobieLover]

Also, unsure of what a poop board is. Sorry, this is my first set of chickens so still learning. I'm super excited that all are still thriving though.

A board under the roost to catch all the overnight poop. It makes keeping the coop clean so much easier.
I have granulated Sweet PDZ on my boards and use a metal cat litter scoop to clean the boards every morning. The poop goes into an old litter container that is dumped into my compost bin when full.

 

[Mamatomany123]

A board under the roost to catch all the overnight poop. It makes keeping the coop clean so much easier.
I have granulated Sweet PDZ on my boards and use a metal cat litter scoop to clean the boards every morning. The poop goes into an old litter container that is dumped into my compost bin when full.
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Oh I see. We dont have one but I can add one. That does look like it will make things easier.

 

[Peep mama]

Hi, I got 7 chicks almost 2 weeks ago. Right now we have them in an large dog crate because they started flying out of their box. Husband and I have decided it's time to get their coop and run finished but before we do I want to be sure the size is good. we are building both. Our coop is 5 x 8. That's already finished so I hope it's big enough. Our run is still being worked on and we plan of finishing this week. It will be 35' x 15'. Do these measurements sound good. We can definitely extend our run if needed.

Oops, forgot to add we have 2 easter Eggers and 5 production blues. I'm honestly unsure of what production blues are but through research have found that they are a mix between RIRs and australorps.

Sounds good on size! Enjoy- I am at the same point with mine.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Not sure if I should make a new post but I had another question. Right now I have them in my garage in an large dog crate with a heat lamp. We are a little chilly today but right under the lamp was reading 80. All of the chicks were at the other far end. I'm guessing they were hot but they are only a little over 2 weeks old. I changed the bulb to just a plain 100w bulb and they're now running everywhere. Temp is now reading 73. Is that ok for them?

Im also thinking they may be a bit older than what tractor supply said.

 

[aart]

Not sure if I should make a new post but I had another question. Right now I have them in my garage in an large dog crate with a heat lamp. We are a little chilly today but right under the lamp was reading 80. All of the chicks were at the other far end. I'm guessing they were hot but they are only a little over 2 weeks old. I changed the bulb to just a plain 100w bulb and they're now running everywhere. Temp is now reading 73. Is that ok for them?

Here's my notes on chick heat, hope something in there might help:

They need to be pretty warm(~85-90F on the brooder floor right under the lamp and 10-20 degrees cooler at the other end of brooder) for the first day or two, especially if they have been shipped, until they get to eating, drinking and moving around well. But after that it's best to keep them as cool as possible for optimal feather growth and quicker acclimation to outside temps. A lot of chick illnesses are attributed to too warm of a brooder. I do think it's a good idea to use a thermometer on the floor of the brooder to check the temps, especially when new at brooding, later I still use it but more out of curiosity than need.

The best indicator of heat levels is to watch their behavior:
-If they are huddled/piled up right under the lamp and cheeping very loudly, they are too cold.
-If they are spread out on the absolute edges of the brooder as far from the lamp as possible, panting and/or cheeping very loudly, they are too hot.
-If they sleep around the edge of the lamp calmly just next to each other and spend time running all around the brooder they are juuuust right!

The lamp is best at one end of the brooder with food/water at the other cooler end of the brooder, so they can get away from the heat or be under it as needed. Wattage of 'heat' bulb depends on size of brooder and ambient temperature of room brooder is in. Regular incandescent bulbs can be used, you might not need a 'heat bulb'. If you do use a heat bulb make sure it's specifically for poultry, some heat bulbs for food have teflon coatings that can kill birds. You can get red colored incandescent bulbs at a reptile supply source. A dimmer extension cord is an excellent way to adjust the output of the bulb to change the heat without changing the height of the lamp.