Getting a coop and chickens today! Help!!!

[toofarout]

See if you can put an additional roost in there, and work on expanding the run. They will appreciate the extra space.
Where are you located? If you are in a warm area it shouldn't matter that the nest boxes are at the end of the run.
But you can modify that too if you need to. How exciting for you to get your chickens!

 

[claudicles]

Animal abuse is a bit strong term. True, most people who keep chickens in their backyard aim for 4 sq foot of coop space and 10 square foot of run space per bird but their are a lot of people who happily keep chickens at higher density without feather pecking etc. They take more work. Regular free ranging, adding interest to the coop, access to fresh food in a way that keeps the birds involved but it is possible (hanging cabbages, lots of interesting roosts etc).

 

[Johnn]

I wouldnt say its animal abuse, think about the battery hens out there!, i would put some extra run space on and if you can put lots of things for them to do or try to let them out to free range for a hour or so every day

 

[amijab]

The do have enough roost space so that at night they all have a place on the roost. Most of the ceiling is roost space. But I want to get it down to 10 or 12. I am going to let them out a lot during the day because our backyard has a giant cinderblock fence that they can't get our of. When I went out this morning one of them had diarrhea. Is that because they are stressed from having to be moved? Also, they way it is set up their food and water are in the run. Don't they need food and water at night?
Thanks for all your help. I am so new at this I don't know if these birds will survive my stupidity but hopefully i will catch on fast.

 

[Mitch in Ohio]

It could have a lot to do with the move but it could have been sick. Depends on what it looks like. First thing I would do is get some electrolyte mix and put in their water. This will help to the stress of the move. Most people do not take their chickens on car rides on a regular bases. Make sure that the one that has the problem is eating. Second of all, they will need a bigger coop. You had posted that you want to down size what you have but trust me, once the chook bug bites, you will want more. So, I would find a larger hutch at the local tfc and put some in it and relieve some more stress from the group until you build the larger coop that you want. By the way, where do you live (climate) so better to figure out how to keep them warm etc. Oh and welcome to byc!!!!

 

[Mitch in Ohio]

Oh, I am sorry. The answer to rather they need food and water at night is no. But always have fresh water for them in the morning because that is the most important thing for them at that time. Then food.

 

[amijab]

I live in Utah.

 

[sunnyllama]

Congrats on your new chickens! I remember how nervous I was, too, when I got mine for the first time. It is so hard to know if what your doing is the right thing and I found myself second guessing everything. For what its worth, Raising Chickens for Dummies was a great resource for me. It has answers to almost all your questions and will give you warning signs to look for and how to diagnose sick birds. It covers a lot

Good Luck!

 

[Nicole01]

How exciting!

You do need more space though. I have 8 chickens with a 12x4x8 coop and 22x5x5.5 run and I have issues with pecking even with more then required space. The pecking is pretty bad for the two lowest ranked hens. I'm always spraying with Blu-kote and I have a heater in their coop to make sure they are warm. I can not separate the ones being picked on, they freak out when I split them up. I'm making sure they have enough protien, food, water, treats, ect... They still peck and the lower hens allow it.

Anyways, good luck!

Oh, I would place the coop and run in the shadiest area of your property if possible. They need shade in the summer. They love the sand/dirt. Don't expect any grass to grow. They will gobble it all up. They love eating weeds, bugs and grass, so free range them if possible after they been in their coop a while. Once they learn their coop is their home, they will go back if you decide to free range.

 

[toofarout]

Here is the link to a very helpful chart!
http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0
It will help you determine if her loose poop was normal or not.

There is a very wide range of what normal poop looks like.

The nest boxes, if you can gather eggs often though out the day without them freezing then they will probably be ok where they are.
However, you might need to add additional nest boxes, it would depend on how many hens you end up keeping.
I would still expand the run, even if they get free time in the yard. Maybe see how they interact with each other when confined to the run and coop and go from there.
That is a WONDERFUL fence! I am jealous!
Oh, since it *is* winter, you might consider covering the top of their run to keep the snow out, most chickens are not crazy about snow. But then again, there are some who go out snow or not.
It's just that since currently the nest boxes are at the opposite end of the run, the girls will have to use the run space to get to the nests. You can just use clear plastic or a tarp, that would work.