HELP PLEASE

[Ashieschickenfarm]

If they only have access to 15’x15’ and not the rest of the barn, then I agree that’s not enough space for 18 chickens.

They do have access to the rest of the barn for a decent while. 2-5 hours depending on my day. They spend on average of 3.5 hours free ranging

 

[AshVau22]

We are getting pounded day after day so we have around 2 feet rn more on the way, in the good weather they are indeed free ranged with a bigger outdoor pen due to our dogs and our area being owl and eagle dominated aswell as fox and coy dogs, but yes I love all my chickens, but marshmallow has a special place in my heart

That's completely understandable, sometimes they have to be kept in. I'd offer them maybe a pecking block to help keep them busy when they have to be locked up. I'm definitely glad I don't live somewhere that gets that much snow.

 

[Ashieschickenfarm]

That's completely understandable, sometimes they have to be kept in. I'd offer them maybe a pecking block to help keep them busy when they have to be locked up. I'm definitely glad I don't live somewhere that gets that much snow.

Awesome! Is there a brand you recommend?

 

[Debbie292d]

It’s still decent size, I’m still new to chickens and we plan on expanding soon too sorry I forgot to mention

It doesn't look too bad but I'm comparing that to my old coop that's 5' x 20' and this looks smaller. Chickens need 4 sq feet each in a coop, and 10-15 sq feet each in a run.

When they get less than that, problems, injuries, and illnesses can start occurring

 

[AshVau22]

Awesome! Is there a brand you recommend?

Mine really like the Kalmbach Henhouse Reserve one. They have a few different flavors. Mine like the original so far. I tried the pumpkin and they didn't seem to care for it. I know they have a Winter Candy Apple that looks new. I haven't tried that one yet. I did try Purina block and absolutely no one liked. I ended up leaving it in the woods for any wild critters. It's eventually was eaten by something.

 

[Debbie292d]

I know, but I count over a dozen chickens here, and this isn't 50x50. It seems odd there would be any issue if they've got a huge 50x50, but understandably one if it's 5x5.

View attachment 4260631

Can those bins on the floor be moved out to give them more floor space or boards across it they could stand on?

 

[Debbie292d]

Awesome! Is there a brand you recommend?

If you have a TSC nearby, we got one there years ago but for whatever reason it didn't go over so well. They only ate the first 1/4 of it.

 

[BDutch]

If this is your coop, you maybe meant 5'x5' as that's about what it looks like unless there's more behind the camera. That would be the problem then is too many chickens. That can support 6-7 chickens and you have 18 in there. Maybe put a ladder in there and a second story if you can't do anything else right now.

You can keep more than 6-7 chickens in such a coop if they have plenty roost space inside and can go out into a large run, or free range, from sunrise till sunset.

With harsh winters, lots of snow and predators that prevent free ranging unsupervised the chickens are confined to stay inside most of the time. I agree with Debbie, a 25 sqft coop is way too small for 18 chickens to hang around in most of the day.

Can you connect the barn to the coop, in a way the chickens can go to the barn during the day, whenever they please.
Maybe through a simple hwc tunnel.
hwc = hardware cloth.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I know, but I count over a dozen chickens here, and this isn't 50x50. It seems odd there would be any issue if they've got a huge 50x50, but understandably one if it's 5x5.

View attachment 4260631

So how big is THIS space, where they spend most of their time, when they are not in the 50x50' barn? This is what's most important, where they spend the majority of their time.

 

[Ashieschickenfarm]

It doesn't look too bad but I'm comparing that to my old coop that's 5' x 20' and this looks smaller. Chickens need 4 sq feet each in a coop, and 10-15 sq feet each in a run.

When they get less than that, problems, injuries, and illnesses can start occurring

Right it’s a coup, I believe that it has what it needs to sustain them for the winter plus we’re adding perches soon for more space but they like to sleep close together during the winter