Coop light for waking up

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Your coop seems a bit small to accommodate more than a few chickens. A 6 x 4 foot coop is 24 square feet. Is that only the coop or does that include the run? Also, how tall is the coop? Is there vertical space to give them more room? I have an 8 x 10 foot coop with 144 sq. ft. of covered run. I had 9 chickens in this space but recently downsized to 7. The biggest challenge I found was designing the roosts so everyone had a spot to spend the night that wasn't hanging over the nest boxes. One big thing is to keep in mind your chickens will likely not be interested in free ranging in 3 foot snow this winter. So in New England winters your girls need room to spend their time without getting bored and picking up bad habits.

 

[Chickiechickieboomboom]

Your coop seems a bit small to accommodate more than a few chickens. A 6 x 4 foot coop is 24 square feet. Is that only the coop or does that include the run? Also, how tall is the coop? Is there vertical space to give them more room? I have an 8 x 10 foot coop with 104 sq. ft. of covered run. I had 9 chickens in this space but recently downsized to 7. The biggest challenge I found was designing the roosts so everyone had a spot to spend the night that wasn't hanging over the nest boxes. One big thing is to keep in mind your chickens will likely not be interested in free ranging in 3 foot snow this winter. So in New England winters your girls need room to spend their time without getting bored and picking up bad habits.

Can you explain why 24 sq ft is insufficient for 4 chickens? That is just the coop size. It has 12' of roosts and 4 nest boxes. I have a huge, attached covered run. I really think I have more than enough space, even in winter. If not, well I guess they'll just have to "suffer" through this first winter until I can upgrade. I'm quite pleased with my setup, I put the light in today and my chicks are moved in and happy with their new home.

 

[Lisa Lu]

Unfortunately, chicken coop makers are more concerned with what will sell, not what is appropriate for good health of the chickens, or ease of use for the human. Many times the coops are dark and not well ventilated, and advertised to be adequate for twice the number of chickens that is safe.

I noticed that also. The coop I purchased states it is appropriate for way more chickens than I could ever try to house there. I purchased two of them and "hinged" them together to give my girls twice as much run space. However they spend most of the time roaming the backyard anyway. At night half of them are up in the coop area and half are hanging out on the perches.

My biggest worry now is I leave for work around 7:30 am and it's barely daylight so I'm letting them out before the sun is up completely. I have a couple surveillance cameras on them so I can keep tabs on them through out the day.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Can you explain why 24 sq ft is insufficient for 4 chickens? That is just the coop size. It has 12' of roosts and 4 nest boxes. I have a huge, attached covered run. I really think I have more than enough space, even in winter. If not, well I guess they'll just have to "suffer" through this first winter until I can upgrade. I'm quite pleased with my setup, I put the light in today and my chicks are moved in and happy with their new home.

My apologies. I posed it as sort of a question as to the size of the coop. You only mentioned the coop size and some new chicken keepers include the run with the total area of the two combined when describing their setup. Sorry for any confusion. The size you just mentioned should be plenty room for your pullets. The first winter is a real learning experience especially in climates such as ours. Last winter I had 6 chickens and even with the large amount of coop and run they still started picking at each other’s feathers. As far as the light: it is more useful in the morning but it’s important to let them become accustomed to the natural cycle of light. Dusk lets them know it’s time to roost for the night. Best wishes with your wee ones.

 

[Wee Farmer Sarah]

Regarding free ranging: be prepared to lose chickens to predators. I just re-homed two of my hens to a guy who lost all but one of his chickens to a fox.

 

[ValerieJ]

Or after they develop a respiratory disease.

First time I have heard this. So, not enough ventilation will cause respiratory disease?

 

[aart]

First time I have heard this. So, not enough ventilation will cause respiratory disease?

Organisms cause disease, but sub-par conditions can certainly make them more susceptible.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Just my 2-cents on very dim nightlights. I use one for my brooding chicks between the heat lamp phase, and 'boots on the ground' phase of growth. The supplemental lighting eases their fear of the dark, I guess. They cry much less during this lightlight phase (with a nightlight) since I incorporated it into my routine.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

First time I have heard this. So, not enough ventilation will cause respiratory disease?

Absolutely. Chickens and other poultry are outdoor animals. They have tiny respiratory systems. They need a constant supply of fresh air.
I've been following this site a long time. There are lots of daily posts for advice about respiratory problems beginning about this time of year through January. I attribute that to people who are worried about cold and start closing up the coops.
Cold and drafts aren't the problem, stale air is.
Pathogens, ammonia, dust and fungus increase when closed up, especially if it is warmer in the coop and has higher humidity. Those things are breeding grounds for viral and bacterial infections. An enclosed coop with insufficient ventilation could have humidity as much as 30% or higher above ambient air.
Birds living in an outdoor run or in trees don't get respiratory diseases. They affect birds in tight buildings.
I have huge openings in all my buildings and take no precaution for drafts. In fact 2 buildings have those huge openings at roost height on both East and West walls. The winter winds blow right through. There is no possibility for pathogens to get a foothold.
I have never had a respiratory issue in all my years of keeping poultry.

 

[cmom]

Well that is disheartening to hear.

My coop is (supposedly) rated for 10-12 large chickens and I have 4. I'm not buying a new coop so I'm just going to hope it works out. I *feel like there is adequate ventilation and space, and I have an attached, covered 300 sq ft run (although they will free range 3 seasons of the year) , so I *feel like I'm giving them a good home.

I think the birds will be fine in their new home. I think your space is adequate. They have a nice covered run so they are good. Beware free ranging because sooner or later predators will discover your flock and there may be some losses. It happens to most people who free range. You may be successful and think that you're predator proof until you find a dead or some dead birds. I have several game cameras too in different places on my property. Most nights I see a predator here where I live on at least one of the cameras. I have 1 watt standard/medium base LED night light bulbs that give off 11 watts of light in all of my coops. The lights aren't bright but allows the birds to see somewhat and I have never had a complaint. Good luck and have fun...