Flushing out and planning my flock ...

[AlyssaK]

Trying to figure out what breeds I want in our coop and start doing my homework - especially in terms of coop size, LOL.

So I have one EE and will be getting two Orpington pullets.

I also want to get an olive egger, and then maybe another EE and a RIR - but thought I'd like to add in another solid layer and am now thinking I'd like to add in an australorp ... thoughts?

I'm thinking with the larger birds, I want to think of them as being two chickens size-wise when planning roosts, nest boxes, and coop support as they are supposed to be heavy birds.

Anything else I should consider? I'm thinking of having a coop that is set up to hold 10-12 birds, but only have like around 5 or 6 in the flock.

 

[Den in Penn]

If you are thinking of setting up a coop for 12 then that is the size and requirements I'll give you, with the understanding that the basics are a little flexible. The coop should be 48 sq feet and the run 120 sq feet. The perches for roosting should be 120 inches. There should be three nest boxes. Those are for Large Fowl (LF) the type you have and are thinking of getting. I would suggest you go ahead and build the 12 bird coop. The extra space is always nice to have and if you want more latter you'll already have the room.