FLORIDA!!!!!ALWAYS SUNNY SIDE UP!!!

[FloridaBasser]

i hear ya im in a subdivision too luckily in the county and not city

 

[FloridaBasser]

what part of central florida lilbitlibra. was in a hurry to go round up the birds and had users mixed up

 

[cmom]

I'm a newbie from northern Central Fl. Anyone have this coop How many chickens do you think will fit comfortably in this? I am going to let them run on 1 acre Not fenced all around but want them to have safe area from predators

I like that idea. One thing is how ever many birds you put in the coop, everyone will want to roost on the highest roost. You have enough nest boxes for 15 to 20 birds. I have several birds use one nest box no matter how many nest boxes I have. I started out with one coop and now have 10 coops. If you free range you are more at risk for predators. I would be nice to have a run for them for more protection but also if you can't be out to watch over them. Hawks are daytime predators. I have also seen foxes and coyotes during the day. Most predators do hunt at night but there are exceptions. I always plan with my coops 4 to 5 birds per next box. The inside dimensions aren't as critical especially if they are only using the coop to lay eggs in the nest boxes and roost at night I would allow 1 foot per bird of roost space so figure how many feet of roost they will be using and that is how many birds the coop can hold. I have different sizes of coops as far as square footage but they only eat, sleep/roost and lay eggs in the nest boxes.The rest of the times they are outside in their pens. I'm sure you will get many opinions. That is just the way I do it. Here are a few pics of some of the coops.

 

[Shawneegyrl]

And the playhouse was my daughter's, so it was already about seven years old! It's always been in the shade though, and is holding up really well. Also, the remodeled playhouse had windows that I took off and covered with hardware cloth, so it's super ventilated. I just made plastic "curtains" so I could cover them if it rained too much or was too cold. I would worry that this coop would get hot b/c it is so closed in. I would love more birds, but we are in a backyard in a subdivision, so not really practical. I am dreaming of a couple of acres though........

It depends on the plastic used. I have an old tiny tykes wagon the is about 12 or more years old that lives in the yard on the south side of my home. The side panels went bad a few years ago but the bed and wheels are still good. I use it to haul supplies from my van to the backyard. I also have a Rubbermaid shed that is more like 15 years old. It is failing now due to the metal hinges that rusted out. The plastic is still useable.

I also have some cheap plastic chairs that get replace about every year. Everything is kept outside in the sun.

 

[dolfi]

I like that idea. One thing is how ever many birds you put in the coop, everyone will want to roost on the highest roost. You have enough nest boxes for 15 to 20 birds. I have several birds use one nest box no matter how many nest boxes I have. I started out with one coop and now have 10 coops. If you free range you are more at risk for predators. I would be nice to have a run for them for more protection but also if you can't be out to watch over them. Hawks are daytime predators. I have also seen foxes and coyotes during the day. Most predators do hunt at night but there are exceptions. I always plan with my coops 4 to 5 birds per next box. The inside dimensions aren't as critical especially if they are only using the coop to lay eggs in the nest boxes and roost at night I would allow 1 foot per bird of roost space so figure how many feet of roost they will be using and that is how many birds the coop can hold. I have different sizes of coops as far as square footage but they only eat, sleep/roost and lay eggs in the nest boxes.The rest of the times they are outside in their pens. I'm sure you will get many opinions. That is just the way I do it. Here are a few pics of some of the coops.

cmom that's just beautiful

 

[FloridaBasser]

yeah it is Im jealous lol. I have 6 hens and a Roo. and want mooooore

 

[FloridaBasser]

cmom is that spanish moss in there for bedding?

 

[cmom]

cmom is that spanish moss in there for bedding?

Yes.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
It's taken a lot of years and a lot of hard work, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. I love all of my birds.

 

[operationindigo]

Don't need show quality, just some happy healthy backyard companions. When do they usually start having chicks at standard feed?