Coops... How does anyone manage?

[Ridgerunner]

I just built big to start with. My standard laying/breeding flock is one rooster and 7 hens in an 8' x 12' coop and 12' x 32' run, but they free range most of the time. I currently have 29 chickens of various ages, mostly too young to eat right now. I eat them as I go along. I'll be back down to my standard laying/breeding flock next spring but probably not before I hatch some more. It's a never-ending cycle.

 

[JoAnn_WI_4-H_Mom]

Spring Summer Fall we use these on Electronet protected pasture. We build additional ones every year.

http://www.oardc.ohio-state.edu/4hpoultry/t02_pageview/Hoop_House.htm

We have many more birds over the snow-free months, growing out young ones, pens of broilers and keeping old hens through a moult to see if they will return to laying or not. Clean up is easy, slide the hut to a new spot, even occassionally move the fence to a new area.

During winter they have to go into winter quarters in an insulated room in the pole shed. That space defines the size of flock I can over-winter. So I have a big cull in the fall.

and fill the freezer with surplus chicken

I know, this plan is not for everyone. But if you do not enforce a limit somehow, won't you end up a crazy chicken collector? I know I have to watch that tendency in myself!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
Oh, that's a BIG 10-4! Maaaaaan! If I could have seen back then that I'd get so attached to SO many chickens, and addicted to hatching, I would have started with a big, ol' shed coop... or two.

On the other hand, the Chicken Compound does make for an interesting back yard.

Rather an "eclectic" look, one might say.

...or not....

chicken compound.....heheee

 

[mclevinson]

JoeBryant - love the profile pic Rober-- 'er uh, Joe. As a potential addict I'm with Joe. I'm maybe taking somebody's rooster for the stew pot in order to see if I am going to have 4 pets - or the first 4 chickens of many.

 

[wpchicks]

Maybe this could be the next show on TLC - hen hoarders

(buried in chicken poop alive)

All I know is, after 5 days with chickens, I'm very glad I just have three. (this is my bird phobia speaking)

I'm sure with time things will seem a lot more natural.

 

[Rebecky54]

Quote:
I like this coop for summer growing out pens, but how do you protect the birds from wind and rain?

Thanks,

Becky

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
I like this coop for summer growing out pens, but how do you protect the birds from wind and rain?

Thanks,

Becky

I think most people put tarps across them- but I just read Pat said that snow will bring it down if you have a tarp. Try looking under coop designs to see pics?