Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Chicks in VA]

I would shy away from any pre-made coop like these. I started with one just like it. Can you help me to understand your situation, how you plan to keep your chickens, etc. Will they be able to free range or will they live their lives in the coop? That can help me to understand what may work best for you.

if it was adults, they would live in it fully for 1 or 2 weeks,if it was a chick/pullet or cockerel it would be able to free range on 20 acers until i sell it

 

[BY Bob]

if it was adults, they would live in it fully for 1 or 2 weeks,if it was a chick/pullet or cockerel it would be able to free range on 20 acers until i sell it

What happens after 1 or 2 weeks? Is it for quarantine?

 

[BY Bob]

if it was adults, they would live in it fully for 1 or 2 weeks,if it was a chick/pullet or cockerel it would be able to free range on 20 acers until i sell it

It has 10 square feet of run and maybe 5 square feet of coop and nest box. At 15 square feet that is a little small for two full grown chickens long term. For 2 weeks it should be fine. Longer than that you might start seeing behavioral problems.

As a coop for free ranging chickens it has enough room.

I have a friend that uses something similar to this as a coop for 3 full grown hens. They have a very large run attached and do also get free range time. It works fine when used in that manner. It's just too small for a permanent solution.

 

[Chicks in VA]

What happens after 1 or 2 weeks? Is it for quarantine?

after 1 or two weeks they will be free ranging again. I need them in there to breed and so I know what breeds i get
the pullets would be on a 20-acer free range
so do you think this would work?

 

[BY Bob]

after 1 or two weeks they will be free ranging again. I need them in there to breed and so I know what breeds i get
the pullets would be on a 20-acer free range
so do you think this would work?

You could make it work. I would not keep fill grown chickens locked in there more than a couple of weeks but 2 weeks should be ok. I think it will suit your needs.

These coops are not made with the best materials. Keep it stained or painted and it will last longer. I had the end of a run and a roof rot out in about 5 years so it's important you keep them up.

 

[MaryJanet]

Co-parenting continued...it was super nice with the chicks because there were 2 to protect them with my large flock. The ducks always seem to just accept the ducklings just fine.

Ah!

I hope that will happen here too

 

[MaryJanet]

Broody Hattie

I always thought that my Hattie would want to be a mum. Orpingtons are supposed to go broody yet Hattie never has. I always figured that she would look something like this as she sleeps tonight in the nest box.

View attachment 2966387

She would look just like that

 

[MaryJanet]

after 1 or two weeks they will be free ranging again. I need them in there to breed and so I know what breeds i get
the pullets would be on a 20-acer free range
so do you think this would work?

Hmmm I'm thinking mating might need more space. Are the walls far apart enough for the rooster to do the wing dance? Is the ceiling high enough for the rooster to be on top of the hen?

As a rule, go larger than you expect for any chicken home.

By the way, I have a small prefab but it's located in a really big chicken run and the hens use it as a nesting box. I bought it maybe four years ago and it has lasted better than I thought it would, although I have repaired it from time to time.

Important: usually these little prefabs are not fox proof because foxes can dig under and get inside.

If I were you, try for a bigger, fox-proof coop.

 

[micstrachan]

Don't you bring your own? Unless you are visiting @micstrachan , in which case she is buying @BY Bob some of hers, that he loves.

Tax:
Caught someone trying to steal the eggs I was collecting!View attachment 2965997View attachment 2965998View attachment 2965999View attachment 2966000

Awww, she wants those eggs back! Too cute! And funny about the PJ’s!

 

[micstrachan]

I dearly miss my little companions.

View attachment 2966220

Hugs!!!