How much space needed?

[RUNuts]

I will only keep them until they are around 7-8 weeks old. This information has helped a lot. I still would prefer I had more input.

Do research. This site is valuable and free. Utube is educational - bad and good. Learn what to expect. The only person who knows what you don't know is you.

Having become an internet expert, you will still learn by actually seeing, doing, smelling and hearing. There will be issue with your setup that only you can fix. If you are trying to maximize production in your space, you will have different problems and solutions to others. I still say start small and scale up. It takes longer the first time at anything. The payoff it high, but so is failure. How much do you want to risk?

I started with 10. 20 planned for the fall. I am learning. Teach me.

Random thoughts:
Is your coop completely covered or does rain get in it?
If using deep bedding, will you buy hay, wood chips, wood shavings, sawdust or others?
How much time do you have for chores?
How to handle sick chickens?
How about predators? Family dog? Cats? Hawks? Owls? Possums?

Best wishes!

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Mine is permanent and I was wondering if it was needed to add a larger area or not.

Yes, definitely create a larger area for them. You'll be better off in the end as they get bigger.

 

[lazy gardener]

You will need to protect them from rain. With the stocking density you are planning, it's best to give them a water proof covering over their shelter. What about electric fencing? Is this a one time venture, or are you planning a repeat performance? The answer to that question will guide you into how much money you can spend on your housing. Just remember that no matter what you choose, you must make it safe. A bird in a fox or hawk's belly will not be going into your freezer! I think if I was planning to raise that many birds, I'd set up an electric perimeter fence, put bird netting over the top, and see to it that they were shut in a predator proof enclosure at night.

 

[youngfarmboy04]

You will need to protect them from rain. With the stocking density you are planning, it's best to give them a water proof covering over their shelter. What about electric fencing? Is this a one time venture, or are you planning a repeat performance? The answer to that question will guide you into how much money you can spend on your housing. Just remember that no matter what you choose, you must make it safe. A bird in a fox or hawk's belly will not be going into your freezer! I think if I was planning to raise that many birds, I'd set up an electric perimeter fence, put bird netting over the top, and see to it that they were shut in a predator proof enclosure at night.

Do you think I should start off smaller instead of taking the big risk? Who supplies the electric poultry wire for a cheap price.

 

[Northern.Ontario]

Do you think I should start off smaller instead of taking the big risk? Who supplies the electric poultry wire for a cheap price.

I first thought of starting with just 20, or that's what my wife was expecting! haha.. ended up with 94 now. They are all Cornish X cockerels. I have 165' long by 48" high electric poultry netting for $200 that surrounds the coop and then extends in a large circle area in front of the entrance. I can move the netting around some to give them fresh ground to stomp on. The netting is connected to a Gallagher M160 energizer ($150) which delivers any land based predator testing the fence an 8,000 volt shock. I looked into aviary netting but I think its about $300 for a 50' by 50' (2" square openings). Probably order that next year. For now, I read that hanging up old cd's on strings can keep hawks away.

 

[youngfarmboy04]

I first thought of starting with just 20, or that's what my wife was expecting! haha.. ended up with 94 now. They are all Cornish X cockerels. I have 165' long by 48" high electric poultry netting for $200 that surrounds the coop and then extends in a large circle area in front of the entrance. I can move the netting around some to give them fresh ground to stomp on. The netting is connected to a Gallagher M160 energizer ($150) which delivers any land based predator testing the fence an 8,000 volt shock. I looked into aviary netting but I think its about $300 for a 50' by 50' (2" square openings). Probably order that next year. For now, I read that hanging up old cd's on strings can keep hawks away.

I don't think hawks or crows will hurt me mainly foxes, coons, possums, coyotes, and other domesticated cats and dogs in the area. All my predators are land predators.

 

[meetthebubus]

When I started thinking about getting chickens I researched and googled and read, asking questions is ok but you really need to start small like one suggested or get a lot more space and research more on Google u can find threads from thissite from 8 yrs ago thwt r helpful The 2 ft rule is ridiculous to me so is 3ft, etc

And yes meatbirds have feelings too (well said) I understands you don't want to have feelings for them bc u r going go eat/sell them u want them to be clean and healthy but just remember they eat a lot and thus have lots of droppings in factories they die often bc of space issues etc and they only keep them about 6 to 8 weeks too


Also since they r bred to eat and grow at unnatural rates some often choke to death so you might want to start small since you r new

 

[JDN]

Can you drag the pen from spot to spot?

Otherwise youtube Joel Salatin and see the video on his portable tractors.

 

[lazy gardener]

I do think 100 birds is really pushing it for a first time venture. I suggest starting with no more than 25.

 

[TK421]

Definitely start with fewer birds. With your square footage I say start with 25. You’ll learn how much work and smell there is with a healthy conservative stocking rate in your setup and you can compare that to a future batch of slightly more. Then you can figure out the number that is right for you. My second batch of meat birds was too many and I paid the price but wouldn’t have known my problems were abnormal if I hadn’t started smaller. I’m glad I did it bc I backed off the numbers in batch #3 and chickens and chickener were happier for it. Broilers are big birds and take up at least 1sq ft just themselves. So I second the need for 3-4 sq feet/broiler in the run

Grey foxes, possums, and coons can climb most structures so your need of a roof depends on their security at night.