Like so many chicken newbie's; my first year has brought many learning experiences. Originally I thought I wanted 3-4 hens, had my wonderful husband build me a coop that said it was for 6-8 chickens (just in case), I now have five hens, and soon would like two more (my max I swear
). The dilemma I have is my original coop has just 15 sq. ft. of floor space (Not sure how the coop design thought 8 chickens would fit). Originally it was built with an attached run, which I soon discovered was much smaller than I wanted (My chickens do also free range a couple hours a day during the summer). We created a temporary 15 x 20 foot fenced run, that we will make into a more permanent covered structure in the spring (shoveling the run in WI gives me a good workout). To accommodate my flock during the winter we took the original attached run, covered it in SunTuf plexi-glass roof panels (leaving space on the eves for ventilation) added roosting space, wood shavings and essentially created an additional attached indoor space, which created approx. 60 sq. ft. of interior space.
My questions are:
1. Does this count as legitimate coop space, they love it, but still roost at night in the main coop area. I know it is not "ideal" as it is not insulated etc., but is it acceptable? It does block wind and snow elements, and even on the coldest days they are scratching around in it. In the summer would the suntuf panels get hot even under a covered run? (we essentially plan to make a large run that is like a garden pergola with hardwire cloth on the interior and put the coop inside it).
2. Another thought I had was to build a second coop, placing it in the same large covered run . . . but would the chickens use both coops, or just cram into one at night? Anyone have any experience with two coops under one large run? Do the chickens space themselves out? This of course is much more work, and avoids the obvious question of "why don't you just sell your current coop and build a larger one," but my hubby built such a beautiful coop, and it was an anniversary gift, so I would rather keep it.
Your input is much appreciated! If the answer is (don't get the two new hens), I can live with that . . . I think
My questions are:
1. Does this count as legitimate coop space, they love it, but still roost at night in the main coop area. I know it is not "ideal" as it is not insulated etc., but is it acceptable? It does block wind and snow elements, and even on the coldest days they are scratching around in it. In the summer would the suntuf panels get hot even under a covered run? (we essentially plan to make a large run that is like a garden pergola with hardwire cloth on the interior and put the coop inside it).
2. Another thought I had was to build a second coop, placing it in the same large covered run . . . but would the chickens use both coops, or just cram into one at night? Anyone have any experience with two coops under one large run? Do the chickens space themselves out? This of course is much more work, and avoids the obvious question of "why don't you just sell your current coop and build a larger one," but my hubby built such a beautiful coop, and it was an anniversary gift, so I would rather keep it.
Your input is much appreciated! If the answer is (don't get the two new hens), I can live with that . . . I think
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