How many birds

[Howard E]

A cover for the run might depend on how much and how often it rains. A lot of birds on a confined area quickly becomes a wet smelly mess when it rains a lot. A way to avoid that is a hard cover roof. Basically, extend the roof line over the run too. I used coarse grass hay in outdoor areas where the birds are confined. It seems to hold up well and limits all the mud, odor and flies. Once that is mostly rotted down, you either add to it, or dig it out and remove it to a compost area to finish up. It can then be moved to gardens or plant beds or given to the neighbors for the same.

A covered run will also allow you to move the food and water under the run, leaving the birds to only go beneath the house to get out of any weather.

I'm averaging 7 eggs per day from 9 standard sized birds. Leghorns (white eggs) or one of the sex links (brown eggs) should do as well or better. So maybe a dozen birds to start?

 

[Shabz]

@howard e covering the run may be an idea, as here in the U.K. It rains most days. Gonna go 12 birds I think. If I want more I'll convert my garage or something. The under the coop section is being covered by removable acrylic panels. So I'll be able to get under if need be. Don't want a mud pool in the garden, and chickens will scratch that grass to shreds.

 

[PD-Riverman]

Gonna go 12 birds I think. If I want more I'll convert my garage or something.

If you get 12 the same age there will probably be times you want get 7 eggs a day----when all those 12 start molting etc.

Just something to think about----so many say I can not have but about 12 chickens in my app 50sqft coop. They only roost in it at night---no food, water or nesting boxes. Look at this pic---with 18 in my 50sqft coop--16 will be on the top roost pole with room for the other 2. OK that leaves me 5 more roost poles plus more could be added on the side, front if I wanted. Now why would people say I got to leave all those other roost poles open just for roosting? I have had right at 100 just on this side and the left side(can not see in the pic--separated with chicken wire) I have had about 60 with room for more 7x11 inside total in the 2 sections with 150+ birds. No problems (roosting only).

 

[Shabz]

That's something I wanted to ask, how should I get the 12 in, should I get a few at a time 3 every month or so?

 

[Kiki]

get them all at once...imo.
then you won't have to worry about slowly integrating them

 

[PD-Riverman]

That's something I wanted to ask, how should I get the 12 in, should I get a few at a time 3 every month or so?

The only problem I have found is most(not all) stop or slow laying about the same time---then you got 12 hens and 1 on no eggs a day for a while. I never have that problem because I keep different age pullets/hens---a few months apart(4 to 6 months)---when the older slow or stop the younger are laying good. As someone said---if you get them at different ages then you have to worry about integrating them---that's why in my last post I said the coop was divided in 2 sections---I never integrate. I sell all my 2 to 3 year old hens and get new ones started every year. Its just my way---In the last 30 years, I have never have to deal with no egg times---might be from the younger while the older is molting or the older when the young start to molt??

You do yours---the way you want? Just letting you know what to expect.

 

[aimlessego]

12-16