Coop/pen questions

[Redyre Rotties]

So I think I want to have about 20 hens to start. I can't believe how fascinated I have become with chickens recently.

My SIL has some, and hearing them brought back so many good memories of my childhood. I gotta have me some chickies.

So, I am wondering how much room I need for my chickens for them to be happy and healthy. I can't let them free range, but I do have access to a fairly large area to use for them.

It is about 10 X 50. I was thinking of a chicken house about 8W X 4D, with next boxes and a roosting area. Someone please tell me I don't need 20 nest boxes if I have that many hens? Do I? (I plead ignorance)

I would like for the coop and the pen to be movable, that way every couple weeks I could move it onto fresh grass.

My hubby is a professional carpenter/contractor, so building it won't be any big deal, I just hope what I have in mind is not too big to move.

Thoughts? Hints? Suggestions?

Where do most of you get your chicks? I would love to find some nearby me, I"m in central NC.

And last but not least, I am REALLY loving this forum!!

 

[CoyoteMagic]

You need a coop that has a min of 4 square feet per chicken. Outside space of 6 square foot per chicken.

 

[annie3001]

first my thoughts:
it would be a very heavy peice of coop/and run to move,? whos moving that and with what?
i bought my chicks from mypetchicken.com however here on byc there is a list of online places too.
no you dont need 20 nest box, maybe 7 ( i think). there are others on this forum with better insight than me.
there are several different idears for your coop here on this website.
insulation: do you need to? etc.
winter months? whats your weather like?
it is alot of fun raising chickens! enjoy the website here.

andrea,ct.

 

[lavacaw]

http://home.centurytel.net/thecitychicken/tractors.html

You should certainly find something there to suit your purpose. Welcome to the addiction! It will only get worse.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

I had an incomplete post. I plead senility.

The "grazing" or exercise area would be about 8 X 15 or 20? I have good lawn tractors to move it with, or if I feel jiggy maybe I will hitch up the dogs and have THEM move it for me. haha

PS I LOVE THIS PLACE!!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

WELCOME to BYC from the Pacific NW -

Great looking dogs. I had a Rottie rescue several years ago. I had her for 10 1/2 yrs. Still miss that girl.

For 20 chickens you would need 80 sq ft or something 8' x 10'. That would weigh a ton.

AND you will need to move a tractor or moveable coop with 20 birds 2-3 times a day because they are going to devour your lawn in no time at all.

I have 3 little banties in a dog house turned banty coop/tractor that has the frame and wire part thats 3' x 8' and I move it daily because they trim the grass, scratch and leave bare patches, and poop a lot for 3 little ones.

Maybe you should start out with less birds to get your feet wet.

 

[Redyre Rotties]

That's a good idea. I can always get more later.