Wife and I are thinking about getting a chicken coop, it houses 8, and wondered how much it would/could supply us with as far as eggs and occasional meat?
hello, and welcome to BYC! There is tons of information about coops on this website. Most of us here will tell you do not buy a pre-fabricated coop. They always say they house many more than they actually do. Much better to get an old shed or children’s playhouse and convert it or start from scratch and build your own. I suggest building it big enough that you can walk in and stand up right.
Hello and welcome back to BYC! Nice to meet you.
What size is the coop? Just because it's states it can house 8 hens doesn't mean it should or that it will be a good experience for you or the birds.
Definitely be careful with prefab coops as these manufacturers are out to sell you a coop and they do not have the birds in mind. Most of these coops are barely big enough for 1 chicken, let alone 8. Each chicken need 5 Sq ft of space in the coop and 10 Sq ft in the run. Any more cramped and they will turn cannibalistic. I highly recommend converting a shed....cut in ventilation in the eaves, cut in 2 windows and add a roost bar, a nest box or two...boom, you have a coop! Good luck!
Hello and Welcome to BYC! Glad to have you in this poultry loving community. I built hoop coops for mine that are big enough I walk in easily. Don't believe those prefab units can house what they say they do.
I’d no idea about the pre-fab coop thing, as I’ve only ever built my own coop So I agree with everyone else, do what’s right for your birds, and build your own to make sure the square footage is right. I also agree making it tall enough to stand in so you may clean it easily.
I’d imagine you’d get around 1 egg per hen per day, more or less depending on the hen or breed. If they’re anything like ducks, egg production will slow or stop during winter and molting, which can be a few months in total.
For meat, you’ll want a rooster, of course haha. Either you or your hens would have to incubate the eggs and raise the chicks. I suppose how much meat you get is about how many chicks get raised.. I’ve never raised for meat though and don’t think I ever will