Expanding my FLOCK!

[N8than]

I am looking into expanding my current flock of 6 red sex links to 24!! I am in the process of designing a new coop which I am building from scratch. I am in construction so I have a lot of materials handy. I have had my current 6 for about 2 years now and have learned a lot from my original coop design. To me, it seems like I really need to increase the size of the coop, looking at 8x16 with a 6' wall height and 8' peak height. I am great with proper air flow, plenty of perch space (higher than nesting boxes), using TPO roofing membrane for my floor (amazing for clean up any time of year), windows, door for them and myself. The things I am wondering are 1) I go through about 50lbs of feed a month right now with my 6, I have a 3" pvc pipe feeder that lasts about 3 days. Does anyone have easy fill ideas for the upgraded amount? I am leaning towards a gravity fed metal can concept suspended from the roof. 2) Similar question for the water. I live in upstate NY where it gets cold. running electric isn't an option. Right now I change the water twice a day when it freezes, though again 24 birds drink more than 6. 3) any other details I may need to know when increasing the size of the flock so much? any info or questions would be a great help. Thank you.

 

[Notaneggspurt]

For full grown chickens for looking at around 1/4 lbs of feed per day. My reds were fairly messy so I went through more than average. For that many I would recommend multiple feed stations. We used 4" pvc pipes and spread them out along the walls of the coop away from the nest box area and roosts. I've seen some where they use barrel type containers and cut out holes around it adding a 90 degree joint.

Multiple water stations would be a good idea too. Keeping the water out in areas that can get direct sun might help with getting it thawed. Though once they freeze there's a good chance they'll bust, depending on what kind of a container it is. I've seen some people use tires and insulated them then used black rubber bowls to take advantage of black absorbing the sunlight.

Keep us posted on what toy end up doing! And

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

I’ve seen the 55gallon feeders

And I’ve heard people putting acv in water to help keep it from freezing. But I would say multiple waters is the way to go.

 

[imnukensc]

And I’ve heard people putting acv in water to help keep it from freezing. But I would say multiple waters is the way to go.

Vinegar freezes at 28F. Adding a little vinegar to the water to keep it from freezing isn't going to make any noticeable/practical difference.

 

[123RedBeard]

Since your increasing you number of birds four fold ... I'd add four times as many feed and water stations ... more locations will also reduce a bully keeping a subordinate from food and water ... they don't all need to be inside the coop, actually I wouldn't have more than one in the coop.

I'd stretch that coop out to 20' long ... I use to keep 24-25 black sex-links in a coop 8'X16' in Vermont ... in the winter ... I wished it was bigger ...

If you increase the CAPACITY of the waterer ... say 2 gallon to 5 gallon ... it will take longer for the 5 galling to freeze up ... will also be heavier!

 

[N8than]

Since your increasing you number of birds four fold ... I'd add four times as many feed and water stations ... more locations will also reduce a bully keeping a subordinate from food and water ... they don't all need to be inside the coop, actually I wouldn't have more than one in the coop.

I'd stretch that coop out to 20' long ... I use to keep 24-25 black sex-links in a coop 8'X16' in Vermont ... in the winter ... I wished it was bigger ...

If you increase the CAPACITY of the waterer ... say 2 gallon to 5 gallon ... it will take longer for the 5 galling to freeze up ... will also be heavier!

Great point about the bullying, I do have one hen now that I have noticed runs things now and again. Why did you wish the coop was bigger? I was actually thinking it would be too big. Thank you for the info!!

 

[N8than]

For full grown chickens for looking at around 1/4 lbs of feed per day. My reds were fairly messy so I went through more than average. For that many I would recommend multiple feed stations. We used 4" pvc pipes and spread them out along the walls of the coop away from the nest box area and roosts. I've seen some where they use barrel type containers and cut out holes around it adding a 90 degree joint.

Multiple water stations would be a good idea too. Keeping the water out in areas that can get direct sun might help with getting it thawed. Though once they freeze there's a good chance they'll bust, depending on what kind of a container it is. I've seen some people use tires and insulated them then used black rubber bowls to take advantage of black absorbing the sunlight.

Keep us posted on what toy end up doing! And

Great, thank you so much. I have been leaning more towards having multiple PVC feeders set up through out the area. I like that they can hold a decent amount of food, and sit between the framing so they aren't really taking up any space. The new coop will have more windows, so hopefully that will help with the light and water situation. Thanks. I will be sure to add photos (if I can figure it out haha) on here once it is complete.

 

[meetthebubus]

I have 21 on one side of the run, they have 4 feeders, 3 water sources and they will get 2 more water sources in the summer, you don't need a ton of feeders, they take turns.

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

Yeah that’s what i figured. I have never tried acv for antifreezing but I know I’ve heard people suggest it.

 

[123RedBeard]

When winter is being cold windy, blowing snow with sleet added in ... chickens like to stay inside ... so ... a few more feet to move about ... and when it was -20° F ... they also liked to be inside more ...