Experienced chicken people!

[Chickenman MAN]

Thanks like I said. I just want them to b happy haha but dulley
noted

I can't help with raising hens, haven't done it before but hope to one day, but I can help with looking after and housing/runs for grown hens

 

[Chickmgnet]

Any help is much appreciated my friend! As far as coops go. My list includes: comfortable space, roost, nesting box, access to internal, bedding.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Hm... I'd make a/buy a 5 by 4 or so shed/ coop and install perches that are about two inches... but smaller for smaller hens, make sure the edges are rounded. Nesting boxes can be cheaply made from plywood, make sure there is enough clearance for a fully grown hen, or buckets can be used. Bedding, I use dengie bedding, but hemp bedding is also good and also wood shavings. Make sure to use purpose-bought chicken bedding, not random hay etc, it needs to be dust extracted and safe for them. Run needs to be at least 10 sqft a hen. So maybe a 10 by 4 for four hens, or larger, Provide enrichment, a jungle course, perches, food, etc. Make sure that the ground isn't muddy. You can put woodchips down. If you do provide a dustbath, simple box with sand, earth and wood ash does the trick!

 

[Chickmgnet]

Thanks for starting dimensions. Would modeling my nesting box after milk crate be a fine size? And somewhere else they said pine shavings are okay?

 

[Chickmgnet]

Hm... I'd make a/buy a 5 by 4 or so shed/ coop and install perches that are about two inches... but smaller for smaller hens, make sure the edges are rounded. Nesting boxes can be cheaply made from plywood, make sure there is enough clearance for a fully grown hen, or buckets can be used. Bedding, I use dengie bedding, but hemp bedding is also good and also wood shavings. Make sure to use purpose-bought chicken bedding, not random hay etc, it needs to be dust extracted and safe for them. Run needs to be at least 10 sqft a hen. So maybe a 10 by 4 for four hens, or larger, Provide enrichment, a jungle course, perches, food, etc. Make sure that the ground isn't muddy. You can put woodchips down. If you do provide a dustbath, simple box with sand, earth and wood ash does the trick!

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Thanks for starting dimensions. Would modeling my nesting box after milk crate be a fine size? And somewhere else they said pine shavings are okay?

I'd imagine a milk crate is big enough. And pine shavings (if they have been dust extracted) are fine.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

Very cute! I'd just splay out her feet and measure it, make it just under that size for the roosts. You will have to make things bigger as they grow!

 

[Chickmgnet]

Very cute! I'd just splay out her feet and measure it, make it just under that size for the roosts. You will have to make things bigger as they grow!

Great I will look into that thank you very much for the help thus far

 

[Chickassan]

They'll peck your teeth and gums, hard.
Some literally jump at the chance!

I ge

I get most of it...except for the smiling lol.

 

[Chickenman MAN]

They'll peck your teeth and gums, hard.
Some literally jump at the chance!

Lol...maybe my chooks are just really docile because they are ex bats... the only thing they have pecked at is my flowery gloves and a red pair of trousers!