Coop size

[ChickyCh00k]

I'm confused
Do you have six birds total, of which two are cockerels? Or do you have six pullets plus two cockerels?

They have 6 birds that are eight months old (4 pullets, 2 cockerels) - I think that's where the confusion is. Everyone is seeing the number 8 in the OP and thinking that's the # of birds, but they wrote the word "six" ("8-month-old")...

 

[FrostRanger]

They have 6 birds that are eight months old (4 pullets, 2 cockerels) - I think that's where the confusion is. Everyone is seeing the number 8 in the OP and thinking that's the # of birds, but they wrote the word "six" ("8-month-old")...

Where I'm getting 8 from is they said they had 6 8 month old chickens AND 2 cockerels. Either way the way it's worded is confusing (coop is also half the size it needs to be at a minimum)

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Where I'm getting 8 from is they said they had 6 8 month old chickens AND 2 cockerels. Either way the way it's worded is confusing (coop is also half the size it needs to be at a minimum)

Ah! Yes, I read it as 6 birds and 2 of them are cockerels. I agree, definitely no more in that particular coop (and definitely need to lose one of the boys regardless)!

If they go down to 5 birds (4P, 1C), 17 sq.ft. isn't terrible. 3.4 sqft/bird is doable with covered run for inclimate weather and free ranging when appropriate. I had 8 pullets/hens in a 24sqft coop when I started (they only slept and laid eggs in it) and it was more than fine. However, there's no way I could have put one single other bird in there, let alone attempted any kind of integration if I had wanted more at that time.

 

[Mrs. K]

As others have said, that lower roost is kinda useless - I would raise it to the same height as the other one and give the existing birds more room (especially since you have 2 cockerels).

However, there's no way I could have put one single other bird in there, let alone attempted any kind of integration if I had wanted more at that time.

Winter is going to change the game. Over crowding and winter are tough. Too many birds in too small of area dramatically increase the moisture level with droppings and breath. Moisture in a coop make for cold chickens. Ugly, ugly behaviors are caused by lack of space.

A couple of misconceptions that is common for new chicken owners:

• that more hens will help with too many roosters. Really it doesn't work that way. Cockerels do not think - "oh - those are your girls and these are mine...instead they think, I want them all and will fight to do so. I would only deal with two roosters if I had 25 hens and the space for those birds.
• empty space on the roost is wasted. That you want your chickens to be close together and share warmth - think of being at a football game - your parka does nothing to keep the person next to you warm. More space on the roost is important. It increases air flow to move moisture away from birds.
• In the winter, birds will be roosted up by 4:00 here, and not off the roost until 7:30 - that is a long time to be too crowded. Outside space is not relevant then.

I second the advice to raise the second roost or maybe it would be better to lower the high roost. That would give more space above their heads to move moisture away.

While I understand your family is attached to both roosters - I am betting your hens are not. I would expect that there would be a lot of tension in that flock. I would hope that if over mating, and harassment has not showed up yet, it won't. But I would not bet on it.

I also agree - do not add more, adding more birds takes more space. Overcrowding causes ugly behaviors, that can be hard to break. If you don't have signs now, count your blessings but do not push it.

Mrs K

 

[Rick589]

So, as I posted in another thread I just completed building a new shed. Our old shed (10x12) is going to be converted into the new coop for our current flock of ten. My question to all the Chicken Whisperers out there is: What is the best way to relocate from the current coop ( the only home they’ve known) to the new digs?

 

[rosemarythyme]

What is the best way to relocate from the current coop ( the only home they’ve known) to the new digs?

I assume that means they're moving locations within in the yard and if so, you simply keep them confined to the new coop and run for a few days. They may need to be placed inside the coop a few nights before they get the hang of it.

 

[Rick589]

I assume that means they're moving locations within in the yard and if so, you simply keep them confined to the new coop and run for a few days. They may need to be placed inside the coop a few nights before they get the hang of it.

Yes, they’ll only be moving about 3 feet from where they roost now. The current coop is right next to the shed that will be converted and the yard will be exactly the same.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yes, they’ll only be moving about 3 feet from where they roost now. The current coop is right next to the shed that will be converted and the yard will be exactly the same.

Oh ok, so very short distance move! Then really the main thing you'll want to do is make sure they have no access into the old coop. They'll likely huddle up next to it or as close as possible on the first few nights, but that makes it easier to round them up and put them in the new one.

Alternatively you can lock the entire flock in the new coop (since 10x12 is easily enough space) for a few days to help home them to it. But once they're out in the run you may still get a few confused birds that aren't sure where to go once it gets dark.

 

[Rick589]

Oh ok, so very short distance move! Then really the main thing you'll want to do is make sure they have no access into the old coop. They'll likely huddle up next to it or as close as possible on the first few nights, but that makes it easier to round them up and put them in the new one.

Alternatively you can lock the entire flock in the new coop (since 10x12 is easily enough space) for a few days to help home them to it. But once they're out in the run you may still get a few confused birds that aren't sure where to go once it gets dark.

Yeah, I know many people say to lock them in for a few days but I just don’t like that idea. They currently are out all day in their yard and then are let out to free range in the evening. And now with 5 adults, 2 teenagers, and 3 chicks I find I’m having to involve myself in their bedtime. So, I’m siding with just closing off the old coop and interceding during bedtime with the new coop. BTW How many chickens would you be comfortable with in a 120 sq.ft. coop?

 

[rosemarythyme]

How many chickens would you be comfortable with in a 120 sq.ft. coop?

Taking in NO other factors other than floor space I'd say a max of 30 birds.