It helps to write it out. I have already found one possible solution since I did that stream of consciousness.As one might expect there are problems. Any permenant structure needs Town Coucil permission to build. I don't think I need to elaborate further.
I can build a new coop but it needs to be built in the current run for security. It would take me far too long to secure another area to nighttime standard.
My daughter and I have a scheme to move the chickens for a few days if necessary.
I'm almost 67 now and what used to take me a day now takes closer to a week.
In the past, about one third of the Ex Batts are dead within a year. This may not happen with their improved conditions and care.
There is of course the, "they are not my chickens" problem.
The overcrowding strangly isn't that much of a problem. I know a lot of stuff gets posted about 4 square feet etc etc but even in Spain there wasn't a single coop that always met this criteria and at times a coop might look much like the one in the picture above with regards to the overcrowding.
If they can get into the run in the morning they have enough room but the run is a desert of mud most of the year.
I can patch the worst of the coop problems. It needs a new floor. The current floor is a piece of lino on a rusted away metal sheet. I would put 18mm ply in and this would make cleaning easier, give me something to fix a better roost bar arrangement to. Similar with the nest box hanging off thhe side. Why do people build nest boxes like this?
Easiest, quickest and most likely is an extension. I would do away with the nest box bit and bolt on an extension there. The extension could house eight without any regulation problems.
I am trying to rehome 4 and by choice it would be the legbars who are never going to be able to free range or even be unsupervised in a large run. They cant see well enough because of the crest and do not pay enough attention to Henry who does know what's what. They also don't seem to be very bright compared to the Red Sex Links.
I'm not expecting Volt to recover nor one or two others so say 20 chickens and with the legbars rehomed that's 16. 16 is workable.
I wouldn't let the legbars sit annd hatch should the show the inclination. The Ex Batts and Cloud and Fret I probably would. If that happened then although long term I would have males at some point and then a second coop could become a reality. No male no second coop essentially.
The above is me doing a Bob and thinking out loud but there are options in there somewhere.
Her comb is really something!
This is the first time they have used it. It works. Phyllis can't reach them.
Perfect. At some point they'll be confident enough to try the higher roost, but by then Phyllis may have broken her habit of pecking at roosting time.
She might have but she's just go two new hens. It is prudent to replace a single loss with a pair for easier living with the established.
Clever hawk shelter! Love the decoration but most of all I love the baby-roost.
That looks more promising Bob. If Phyliss sees them doing more adult stuff she may show more interest even if it's just to make sure she gets accepted as boss.
Opps, sorry.
I forget people keep these chickens.
