Does it get easier?

[3KillerBs]

This is the only pic I can find of my setup. We have a new, bigger feeder and waterer that are off the ground.

If a mobile setup that has to be moved and re-set every few days is stressing you, perhaps you would be happier with a stationary coop?

How many birds do you have?

 

[Beaker99]

If a mobile setup that has to be moved and re-set every few days is stressing you, perhaps you would be happier with a stationary coop?

How many birds do you have?

We have ten pullets and plan to thin it down 6-8. My husband suggested we make it stationary but I worry it would stink.

 

[Stellasmomma]

I'm new to chickens but I have friends with farms. I thought I knew what this would entail. I thought these guys would be low maintenance.
Not a chance.
It's been trouble at every turn.
Then when you try to fix it and you research anything, there are different answers everywhere. I'm second guessing everything.
sigh. Rant over.

I understand I started with chickens 4 yrs ago I was a mess the first year, now I find my chickens to be low maintenance and really don't need to much. Does that stop me from spoiling them and giving them more attention then they probably want LOL no doesn't stop me at all! Hang in there it gets much easier and you will figure out what works for you, Also this forum has been so great I wish I would have had it then, so many people who have kept chickens for many years with great advice. I recently got my 1st ducks and this forum has been a life savor. Don't hesitate to ask any question there are no dumb questions and people here can help you get through whatever you might be dealing with.

 

[Stellasmomma]

We have ten pullets and plan to thin it down 6-8. My husband suggested we make it stationary but I worry it would stink.

If it is stationary you would just need to do some cleaning I clean mine once a week and it takes me about 20min maybe give it a try and see if it works better for you I haven't had any odor issues

 

[micstrachan]

The first year of chickeneering is like getting a sip of water out of a fire hose.
Hang in there.

Great analogy!

 

[MadGardener]

I keep my chickens mobile as well. How large is your fence? I found my grass recovers quickly if I wait a week to rotate during the warmer months. I'd feel overwhelmedrotating every 2 days! Being a renter makes this a little more sensitive though.

It may be worth considering adding grit and a dust bath. Moving frequently may be limiting their access to dirt/small stones.

 

[micstrachan]

Yes, it gets easier as you gain experience. It also gets harder, because they die. But they can bring so much joy.

Are your chickens pets? If so, spend time with them. Enjoy their antics. Watch them sunbathe and dust bathe. Watch them chase each other when someone finds a tasty bug. If you hang around them a bit and sit down, they might even hop in your lap. Listen to them and talk to them. They may greet you when you approach. If they are comfortable around you, they are easier to treat for illness and injury. It also makes it easier to catch a problem earler, if you notice subtle changes in behavior or body language. Here is an example of being familiar with your flock’s behavior and body language. My alpha hen, Bridge, is my most robust hen and she is six years old. She has never been sick that I can tell. Lately I caught her standing around a little more than normal. It was very subtle. I hoped her age wasn’t catching up with her, and just observed. I remembered that in six years, the only times I’ve seen her do this was before molt. So I looked for dropped feathers. Hers are easy to spot, since she’s a Plymouth Barred Rock. There were a couple here and there, but nothing major. Well, sure enough, this morning there were more of her feathers on the coop floor. Point being, when you know your birds, it will he easier for you to notice when they aren’t feeling well.

Keeping chickens as pets is not for everyone, but I thought yours might be, since you have them somewhat contained.

 

[Beaker99]

I keep my chickens mobile as well. How large is your fence? I found my grass recovers quickly if I wait a week to rotate during the warmer months. I'd feel overwhelmedrotating every 2 days! Being a renter makes this a little more sensitive though.

It may be worth considering adding grit and a dust bath. Moving frequently may be limiting their access to dirt/small stones.

They always have grit and I do provide a bath area. They don't like it. Unlless it's out of the ground and they dug it up. Lol

 

[3KillerBs]

We have ten pullets and plan to thin it down 6-8. My husband suggested we make it stationary but I worry it would stink.

Here's some information about the needs of a stationary setup and some thoughts about one method of managing them. IMO, the three keys to keeping chickens from stinking are,

Adequate Space, Adequate Ventilation, and Keeping Them DRY.

First, space -- The Usual Guidelines

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop (.37 square meters)
• 10 square feet in the run (.93 square meters),
• 1 linear foot of roost (.3 meters),
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot (.09 square meters) of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

8 hens

• 32 square feet in the coop. 4'x8' is approaching the limits for a non-walk-in coop even with the access door in the middle. 6'x6' should be walk-in because even the tallest chicken-keeper won't be able to reach the far wall.
• 8 feet of roost
• 80 square feet in the run. 8'x10' is a nice looking number but, remembering the common dimensions of lumber, a roomier 8'x12' is actually easier to build. 6'x14' looks good on paper but would require a lot of weird cuts.
• 8 square feet of ventilation.
• 2-3 nest boxes.

Second, ventilation:

In a hot climate you will probably need considerably more ventilation than the suggested minimums. Consider an Open Air coop -- which is a big wire box with a 3-sided shelter at the windward end.

Where the ventilation is located is as important as how much their is. You want it to be draft-free at roost-level. Like this:

Not like this:

This is my article on hot climate chicken keeping: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hot-climate-chicken-housing-and-care.77263/

And this is my article on Deep Bedding: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/using-deep-bedding-in-a-small-coop.76343/

Another way to keep odor down and reduce cleaning is to use poop boards. I don't use them myself, but @DobieLover and @aart do and can explain them.

Finally, dry chickens are healthy chickens. A wet, muddy chicken coop will stink, so you have to consider your drainage when you choose your location, picking a place where water neither puddles nor runs through. Then you can protect your vents with large roof overhangs and use appropriate bedding in the coop and run.

Coarse wood chips, the sort you get from a tree trimming service, are often considered the gold standard for the control of mud and odor.

 

[Beaker99]

If it is stationary you would just need to do some cleaning I clean mine once a week and it takes me about 20min maybe give it a try and see if it works better for you I haven't had any odor issues

What do you use in the coop floor?