Do you have children? Remember how you sterilized everything for the first baby, then by the third, you are licking the dirt off a pacifier and popping it back in the baby’s mouth? Chickens are kinda like the latter.
Ok get ready cuz those babies usually grow faster than chicken coops and runs.….... before
Ok get ready cuz those babies usually grow faster than chicken coops and runs.
First, just to be clear, "coop" generally refers to the solid henhouse. "Run" refers to the open air area surrounded by hardware cloth fencing, often covered over the top also for protection from flyers and climbers.
Now, using the most common minimal standards, 10 birds need 40 square feet of walking space inside the coop without the nesting area. They will need 100 square feet in the run. A run is a good thing to have even if you plan to free range. There may be times you can't let them free range because of being away for the day. Or, like me, you never free range because there are just too many predators.
Soooo....hurry up! Them babies is groooowwwing fast!
I'm getting on my hubby, he keeps saying we have a few more weeks, and I keep telling him its better to get it done sooner then later..
Spoken like a true chicken newbie hubby! Building coop and run doesn't happen in a day or even a weekend unless you make your living in construction. My run alone took me about 3-4 weeks. Your chicks will be ready in about 5 weeks to go outside. Your husband will be ready for them to go outside in about 10 days. They are noisy and they poop. Good luck, and mostly, enjoy your chickens. They are worth every minute.
I don't think I'll ruin my shoes but I know I'll track poop in with the soles of my shoes. I do keep separate shoes, and a separate pair of boots for snow. I never wear my work clothes, shoes,or coat in the coop, but as long as no one pooped on me I do wear my casual home clothing around chickens and in my home. Of course handwashing goes without saying.
