Help!! Can I fit more hens in my coop/run???

[LeanneP]

You said you have the material to build the new coop and run. Couldn't you use some of that material to build a temporary small(ish) coop/run (tractor?) for the new chickens with some of that material? Then you could take care of both the quarantine and the space issue while you build the new. I'm new to keeping chickens, but I personally would quarantine. I would be devastated if something happened to my flock due to my own negligence (even if they "look clean"). Not that you HAVE to do what I would, just stating that is what I would do.

 

[Kmath]

You said you have the material to build the new coop and run. Couldn't you use some of that material to build a temporary small(ish) coop/run (tractor?) for the new chickens with some of that material? Then you could take care of both the quarantine and the space issue while you build the new. I'm new to keeping chickens, but I personally would quarantine. I would be devastated if something happened to my flock due to my own negligence (even if they "look clean"). Not that you HAVE to do what I would, just stating that is what I would do.

Im sold on the quarantine idea now. We are building the new coop next weekend. So I'll put the new hens in there for a week alone and give them time to use the run at intervals with the other hens. That way it will give us time to check them out for mites or disease. Then when the new run is built I will introduce them, that way they will have plenty of space to escape each other . When I started this forum it was just an idea in our head, we are new to this and had ideas floating around. In the last 12 hrs we have bought material and leveles out space with a bobcat and our ideas have changed. So I appreciate your input

 

[Kmath]

Kmath, Very short term probably ok. Long term no. You should Quarantine, Very important to not spread diseases from flock to flock

How do you tell during the quarantine if any hens have diseases?

 

[21hens-incharge]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/biosecurity-for-the-rest-of-us

This article from the learning center has good information in it.
A bird coming in with a disease may not be symptomatic since birds hide disease very well. During quarantine the time will have elapsed forcing the sick hen to show symptoms. It is a sad thing when hens get added and end up making the entire flock sick.
Sadly many diseases birds get are discovered when it is to late to treat and they pass away.

There are a lot of great articles worth reading in the learning center.

 

[Kmath]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/biosecurity-for-the-rest-of-us

This article from the learning center has good information in it.
A bird coming in with a disease may not be symptomatic since birds hide disease very well. During quarantine the time will have elapsed forcing the sick hen to show symptoms. It is a sad thing when hens get added and end up making the entire flock sick.
Sadly many diseases birds get are discovered when it is to late to treat and they pass away.

There are a lot of great articles worth reading in the learning center.

Thank you! Great to know since I'll probably buy from the farm auction!

 

[Kmath]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/biosecurity-for-the-rest-of-us

This article from the learning center has good information in it.
A bird coming in with a disease may not be symptomatic since birds hide disease very well. During quarantine the time will have elapsed forcing the sick hen to show symptoms. It is a sad thing when hens get added and end up making the entire flock sick.
Sadly many diseases birds get are discovered when it is to late to treat and they pass away.

There are a lot of great articles worth reading in the learning center.

i just read that, great info. I do not have a way to keep them 100 feet away. I'll be able to have a fence between them, even a sheet of plywood between the 2 runs... Is that ok?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Buying them from an auction makes quarantine even more important. They will have been exposed to everything that any other bird there is carrying. That is a very scary thing. Made my jaw drop. WOW um ok so how to quarantine when you cannot get them far enough away....
Before you buy them...
Check the legs and feet for signs of scaly leg mite, bumblefoot, abnormalities etc
I do not know if they will let you but ask if you can check them or at least one of them for mites/lice
Look them over and watch for the signs of illness. Eyes clear and bright, alert, feather condition, breathing normally not wheezing etc.

Then if you do buy them perhaps do the following....
1. Can you keep them in the garage for a month? ( In a walled of section of course not just running all over)
2. Do not wear the same shoes when tending them and then the original flock.
3. Tend your existing chickens then change shoes and clothes then tend the new chickens.
4. Wash hands every time you get near them, handle the water or food dishes, preform an exam etc
5. Treat them for lice/ mites since that is something they are likely to be carrying
6. Have a plan on how you will deal with any that show signs of illness. Are you prepared to end the suffering of one or all of them if they present signs of being ill?

If you do not quarantine by separating them properly you could infect you existing flock and need to be prepared to deal with the results. It sounds harsh but in reality it is a must to be able to make the tough decisions sometimes.

Having them sharing the fence line is not quarantining them. The board or plywood is not adequate. It is just a physical contact barrier not a germ/ disease barrier. Sorry.

 

[Kmath]

Buying them from an auction makes quarantine even more important. They will have been exposed to everything that any other bird there is carrying. That is a very scary thing. Made my jaw drop. WOW um ok so how to quarantine when you cannot get them far enough away....
Before you buy them...
Check the legs and feet for signs of scaly leg mite, bumblefoot, abnormalities etc
I do not know if they will let you but ask if you can check them or at least one of them for mites/lice
Look them over and watch for the signs of illness. Eyes clear and bright, alert, feather condition, breathing normally not wheezing etc.

Then if you do buy them perhaps do the following....
1. Can you keep them in the garage for a month? ( In a walled of section of course not just running all over)
2. Do not wear the same shoes when tending them and then the original flock.
3. Tend your existing chickens then change shoes and clothes then tend the new chickens.
4. Wash hands every time you get near them, handle the water or food dishes, preform an exam etc
5. Treat them for lice/ mites since that is something they are likely to be carrying
6. Have a plan on how you will deal with any that show signs of illness. Are you prepared to end the suffering of one or all of them if they present signs of being ill?

If you do not quarantine by separating them properly you could infect you existing flock and need to be prepared to deal with the results. It sounds harsh but in reality it is a must to be able to make the tough decisions sometimes.

Having them sharing the fence line is not quarantining them. The board or plywood is not adequate. It is just a physical contact barrier not a germ/ disease barrier. Sorry.

Shoot.. no I don't have a garage. Ok how about this. We are keeping the old coop and run when we build the new. If I have the back of the new coop as the wall between the chickens is that ok? The new chickens run will be approx 16 feet away from the new run with a building in between.

 

[LeanneP]

My heart really feels for you on this. I have a friend that goes to the auctions practically weekly (okay, I may be exaggerating and it's bi-weekly) and I get palpitations when she talks about it. She has a lot more space than I do, though, so that's a factor, too. My problem is that because I avoid the auctions or feed store/local stock, I order hatchery day olds and I start out scoffing that I have to order 15 or 25 minimum, yet I keep exceeding that anyway!

Do you know the person who is offering the chickens? Are they really that rare that you couldn't order eggs or hatchery chicks instead?

I'm not questioning your reasoning or anything, I guess I just know that I'm a sucker for these babies and I have to just not go to auctions and such lest I'd have to rent land just for the chickens I'd gather LOL

Maybe an idea would be to go to the auction and speak to the seller about getting fertilized eggs that you could hatch yourself and that would take up the time necessary to build the coop while you wait for them to hatch and then get ready to move in?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Not far enough. I think I read someone posting that you could perhaps make a chicken tractor to keep them in. I think it is a good option.

As far away as possible would be best. Even at a friend or neighbors house if they are willing to let you use a part of their yard.

An a-frame tractor would be easy to build.

Like this perhaps.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/mgws-page

More ideas here on the tractor list.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-tractors-mobile-chicken-coop-designs

I think it is your best option really.