We are wanting to keep 6 chickens instead of 4. Our coop is too small. So we are expanding it. Tell me what you think?
Here is the coop now (inside is 4x4), it is 12 ft long total.
We are going to add 4 wheels to make it easier to move)
So since the back bottom is already enclosed, we thought we could enclose the side with a divided nest box on either side. Then put a front on the bottom. that will make another coop. We can put roosts in there too. We are going to leave a 1 inch strip on each side (under the top nest box) for a vent for the bottom on either side. Do you think that would be enough vent? So it will be two story, Do you think we need to make a floor for the bottom for the winter, or just put hay on the ground?
Then at the end of the run, we are going to make a connector and make a portable run that will be 12 ft x 6ft x 6ft high. That we can attach and move with it.
If we do all that, do you think we can comforatably fit 6 full size hens. The top coop will be almost 16 sq ft and the bottom coop the same, plus the 6 nest boxes. The run will be the samer 8ft x 4ft and then attached to the 12x6 and we will move it every couple of days.
Also we have some 2 month old chicks we will eventually integrate with the two big hens. We thought about making a temporary door that is small enough for the chicks, but not the bigger girls, that way they can run from them. So they will have their own coop, but share the run. Does that sound like it would work?
Here is the coop now (inside is 4x4), it is 12 ft long total.
We are going to add 4 wheels to make it easier to move)
So since the back bottom is already enclosed, we thought we could enclose the side with a divided nest box on either side. Then put a front on the bottom. that will make another coop. We can put roosts in there too. We are going to leave a 1 inch strip on each side (under the top nest box) for a vent for the bottom on either side. Do you think that would be enough vent? So it will be two story, Do you think we need to make a floor for the bottom for the winter, or just put hay on the ground?
Then at the end of the run, we are going to make a connector and make a portable run that will be 12 ft x 6ft x 6ft high. That we can attach and move with it.
If we do all that, do you think we can comforatably fit 6 full size hens. The top coop will be almost 16 sq ft and the bottom coop the same, plus the 6 nest boxes. The run will be the samer 8ft x 4ft and then attached to the 12x6 and we will move it every couple of days.
Also we have some 2 month old chicks we will eventually integrate with the two big hens. We thought about making a temporary door that is small enough for the chicks, but not the bigger girls, that way they can run from them. So they will have their own coop, but share the run. Does that sound like it would work?
Last edited:
