Coop & Run additions for new chicks (upcoming in a few months)

[wolfpack65]

So, I am coming up on having my chickens for a year. I bought a 6'x12' run/coop where the actual coop for the 6 girls I currently have is 6'x4' with roosts & 2 nesting boxes. This area is separated by a wall & auto door to the remaining 6'x8' run.

Last year, early summer, I added a 6'x30 run attached to the wooden built run using PVC piping and appropriate fencing to keep them inside/other critters out. I want to get 6 more chicks this year and I know what I have for coop area will not be adequate.

My thoughts on expansion:

• Frame in the 6'x30' hoop run (remove all the PVC/fencing) with either a lean-to style roof or the A-frame style roof for that 6'x30' run (when framed in, I plan on making it 6'x36')
• Enclose the 6'x8' small run and removing the wall between that and the 6'x4' coop, making the coop area 6'x12'
• Possibly build a brooder for the upcoming 6 chicks inside the 6'x12' coop OR an addition to the other side of the 6'x4' existing coop...

I'm unsure on how to add a brooder inside the 6'x12 proposed coop and how to also allow the littles in the framed in 6'x36' run when they are feathered and ready to get some run time.

I am limited in width by just where I have to put the chicken coop/run. Total width may be 10' but I have an embankment on one side that goes up to my driveway and on the other side, I have a drop off to the neighbors driveway.

My only other option (and possibly the best option) for a brooder area is my enclosed front porch where I did have the chicks last year when they were about 5-6wk old - where I put a tarp down on the floor, had roosting areas, etc. and stayed there till my coop/run was delivered.

Oh, and get the roof re-done on the current run/coop.

Here's a current picture from 2 weeks ago....

 

[rosemarythyme]

• Enclose the 6'x8' small run and removing the wall between that and the 6'x4' coop, making the coop area 6'x12'

This seems like the easiest solution. It does make for an oversized coop but it'll give you extra space for a brooding area and storage.

I'm unsure on how to add a brooder inside the 6'x12 proposed coop and how to also allow the littles in the framed in 6'x36' run when they are feathered and ready to get some run time.

It can be a wired off corner of the coop, or if you have nest boxes elevated or a poop board, the brooding area can go underneath those. Ideally you want to build those with chick sized "panic" openings that'll provide hiding areas once the chicks are ready to start coming out and interacting with the older birds.

Some examples of outdoor brooders with chick sized doors so you can see what I mean: https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...and-start-raising-your-chicks-outdoors.71995/ and https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

As far as handling integration you'll want to clutter up the run to provide lots of hiding options for the chicks, and then I'd choose a day when you can supervise and let the chicks out to explore. I usually herd them in and out of the panic openings a couple times so they understand they can retreat to there as needed.

 

[Ridgerunner]

How will you get electricity down there for the brooder? If you don't have electricity I think your best option is the porch.

Assuming you have electricity Rosemary's solution would be pretty good. The 6 ft width presents some limits on how you con configure the insides for nests, roosts and brooder and still have room to walk past and work. I don't know how it is configured inside now which might influence how you do it but you are probably rebuilding them anyway. My thoughts would be to put the nests and brooder to the right as you go in through that door (looks like maybe 2 ft available?). 3 ft wide would be enough for 3 nests and a 3x2 brooder would work for 6 chicks. Or stack the nests and brooder. A 10 roost along that long wall should handle 12 adults hens or if you are concerned extend it all the way or wrap the roosts around over the nests and brooder and use the top of the nests and brooder as part of your droppings board.

Another option would be to put the nests and brooder on the long wall with the roosts over them, again using the tops as part of your droppings board. Maybe consider a storage area on the end beyond the door.

Since you can add 6 ft to the length perhaps build a "brooder" on that end. A 6x6 area isn't huge, maybe even use a bit of the existing run. Basically build a "grow-out" coop with a bit of run that can be used as a brooder, to break a broody hen, or to house a sick or injured hen. You could use it to isolate a hen to hatch chicks if you wanted to. This would give you a lot of flexibility in handling future issues.

Adding an addition to the right of your existing 6x4 coop is an option. But I would not just put a brooder in there. I'd also put the nests, basically go back to a previous suggestion. I'm not sure that you gain much flexibility doing this and I don't know that you need the space.

I don't like that 6 ft limit but it is what it is. And you still have a lot of options.