How many is too many?

[Wolf-Kim]

I have the best solution(obviously from a chicken addict)!!! Build another pen!! LOL

That is why I'm such a chicken addict and I know it. It's because I build the pens to accomodate the birds, and not select the birds to accomodate the coops. LOL

I think if you want a BO roo, you should get one, because you know you are going to want to hatch before soon. A hen can hold sperm for up to two weeks(sometimes more) so they would have to be with your BO roo and away from the RIR for at least two weeks. This is a long time to spend in a dog crate or temporary pen just to be kept seperate from the RIR.

I really do suggest building another pen and doing two flocks. One mixed and one pure. It makes things more simple sometimes.

-Kim

 

[midget_farms]

Thanks for the advice team - I really appreciate it. At this point in time I am out of $$ for a new pen & coop unless I can find an old yard barn for cheap. Because I have seen foxes & coyotes in the yard I need a fort Knox style fence & those are not cheap!

If I were to split my current run in half say 12' by 25', that should be enough space for 5 birds on each side don't you think?

Then I just need to build a temp shelter for the summer & keep an eye out for a new (used) shed.

Any thoughts?

 

[Davaroo]

Thanks for the advice team - I really appreciate it. At this point in time I am out of $$ for a new pen & coop unless I can find an old yard barn for cheap. Because I have seen foxes & coyotes in the yard I need a fort Knox style fence & those are not cheap!

If I were to split my current run in half say 12' by 25', that should be enough space for 5 birds on each side don't you think?

Then I just need to build a temp shelter for the summer & keep an eye out for a new (used) shed.

Any thoughts?

Thoughts? Well, just a few.
First trap or shoot the preds. Sorry, it's ugly, but....well, there it is.
They are relentless and will kill your birds given half the chance. Foxes and coyotes are two of the worst offenders. Once they get started, it's over. They teach their young, and so on....
The fence will hold them at bay - until they find the chink in the armor. They are already accustomed to roaming your property at will - now you're going to offer them a buffet, too.
Bottom line? It's you or them.

Since you will be keeping chickens in confinement, you have just accepted the role of poultry waste management specialist. Congratulations!
Cluckers excrete 70% of what goes in the front out the back. Wherever they live, the earth must be able to absorb this waste - or you're gonna work to keep the poo under control.

A century ago, 500 birds/acre was considered intense management on open air colony farms. That's 43,560 sq ft. / 500 = 87.12 sq ft per bird. This allows for their waste and destructive habits.
By this reckoning, your 12x25 run = 300 sq ft is enough for 3.44 birds.
With careful littering, liming and the sundry other tasks needed to keep up with their "output," you can likely double that with ease.

In the coop, on the other hand, that 4x6 will get real small in the winter, especially since you favor medium to large birds. 24 sq ft. means enough for 6 chickens, if you like nice round, theoretical guidelines.
But allow me to suggest this: It isn't gonna be enough when the snows fly... and the birds can't. Time to switch to bantams, maybe?

Honestly, it's the wisest of poultry keepers that gives enough space to his/her flock. When you don't, you deal with the problems overcrowding creates. The Five Rules for Chickens always apply.

AS unpopular as it is to say this, you are probably better off with less than more, particularly when rearing in close confinement.​

 

[wynedot55]

you can have 6 hens in your coop.

 

[Tutter]

This won't help with your space issue, but it is a thought...

I have hens, and am getting a chick order of 25 more, plus a rooster, plus a mystery bird, in June.

Because we had damage to our coop from falling trees, we are planning a new coop and run.

As I was planning it, I began to realize that I'd have more flexibility if I made 2 smaller coops, rather than one large one, or divided it in half. This allows for the possibility of some breeds being more aggressive than others, *and* for me to be able to possibly keep 2 roosters.

Anyway, I do understand the cost factor, but when you do make changes/expand, it is something to continue to consider.

Good luck!

 

[midget_farms]

Thanks for the advice team - I'm trying to warm my wife to the idea that russell will have to go. I want Buff Orps & russell isn't one. She likes him though - he's kind of funny.

Anyway - I was thinking - I built the first coop fairly cheaply. I could build a second small one just like it & have them both in the same run.

What do you think? It seems the majority of opinion has been on coop size for bad weather not the run, except for 1 comment. I am already composting droppings (great for the garden) so clean up is not an issue.

 

[Davaroo]

Cheap should be a criteria with chickens. You dont need to spend a lot to give them what they need. They wont rellay care if you do and you'll be worse for it.

As for Russell, there is good logic behind keeping just a few high quality breeds. Some would say one is the limit and the whole "yard aquarium" idea is diluting to good flock management. I'm one of them and am your side. There is good reason why Orps have become a standard GP breed.

Of course it seems that one weirdo always seems to filter into the group eventually. Just be careful about letting them interbreed.

 

[midget_farms]

Just be careful about letting them interbreed

Thanks - I will be receiving a new batch of orps hopefully in the next week or so. They are 6 weeks old, straight run & they come from two different strains of orps. My plan is to keep the hens of course & 1 roo. I will try to be careful about which hens get to set, to make sure they are from the other strain than the roo.

Just 1 last plug. I still think 10 chickens will fit, but because I also listen to good advice I will be looking for another coop.​

 

[AtRendeAcres]

Build a secure tractor!!!

It is small! cost less!

go on free cycle in your area