I am newbie - Vicky Ann

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janiedoe said:
Welcome to BYC, Vicky Ann. The first problem that I see, is that your flock is crowded. You need more run space and a larger coop. Especially, since your rooster is challenging you. If he feels threatened (or you do) there is no way for him to get away from you. So. He will attack.
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Thank you so much for your response. That coop and run is inside a 20 x 20 squared in fencing which they have free run of night and day. There are straw bales in bridged stacks they can go under, over and behind, perches made of tree branches, cinder blocks stacked like stairs. Is that okay for six hens and a roo?
 
Vicky Ann Painting said:
Thank you so much for your response. That coop and run is inside a 20 x 20 squared in fencing which they have free run of night and day. There are straw bales in bridged stacks they can go under, over and behind, perches made of tree branches, cinder blocks stacked like stairs. Is that okay for six hens and a roo?
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Do they have 24/7 access to the large area of the run?
The coop itself looks too small. They need a foot each of space on the roosts, with at least a foot of clearance on either side (18" from walls and other roosts is better) The roost needs to be at least a foot from the floor, to protect them from waste and ammonia. They need 3 to 4 square foot of floor space per chicken in the coop and 1 sq ft of permanent (always open) ventilation per chicken.
I'd not allow 24/7 to the outer run, because it isn't predator proof. The inside run, with an aggressive rooster is dangerous for you and him.
 
Yes they have 24/7 access to the fenced yard around their coop and run. We have T-Posts with the welded wire fencing and the hardware cloth around the outside of the base and on the ground going out two feet on the perimeter, and bird netting over the whole thing. We can keep out the dogs, coyotes, and hawks flying over. What we didn't know, is the mesh should be on the ground as well under them. Is that correct? Which means the coop run is no more safe from "burrowers" than the outer fencing. I am also realizing this is a very poorly constructed coop. All of the things you are talking about with perching and size, off the ground requirements, etc. all make sense. A friend is going to help us construct a larger house type coop with the perches higher than the nesting boxes, which I just heard of recently. Thank you for your valuable input. Very much appreciated!
 
Vicky Ann Painting said:
Yes they have 24/7 access to the fenced yard around their coop and run. We have T-Posts with the welded wire fencing and the hardware cloth around the outside of the base and on the ground going out two feet on the perimeter, and bird netting over the whole thing. We can keep out the dogs, coyotes, and hawks flying over. What we didn't know, is the mesh should be on the ground as well under them. Is that correct? Which means the coop run is no more safe from "burrowers" than the outer fencing. I am also realizing this is a very poorly constructed coop. All of the things you are talking about with perching and size, off the ground requirements, etc. all make sense. A friend is going to help us construct a larger house type coop with the perches higher than the nesting boxes, which I just heard of recently. Thank you for your valuable input. Very much appreciated!
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The mesh (hardware cloth) should be surrounding the area like an apron, about 2' out on all sides. Also, bird netting will not keep out weasels, raccoons, fox, etc.
I would definitely close them into the smaller space at night.
I hope I don't sound too critical. I'd just hate for you to lose your precious flock.
I'm happy to hear that you are working on a larger coop. Best of luck to you, and your flock!
 
janiedoe said:
The mesh (hardware cloth) should be surrounding the area like an apron, about 2' out on all sides. Also, bird netting will not keep out weasels, raccoons, fox, etc.
I would definitely close them into the smaller space at night.
I hope I don't sound too critical. I'd just hate for you to lose your precious flock.
I'm happy to hear that you are working on a larger coop. Best of luck to you, and your flock!
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The mesh (hardware cloth) is surrounding the outside of the galvanized "predator proof" metal fencing (the maker's claim, not mine) 2 feet high and outward across the ground 2 feet. The bird netting is over the top to keep out birds but it drapes down and lays onto the meshing. The door is double reinforced hardware cloth over a wooden frame. I am not sensitive to criticism. This is exactly why I joined, to get valuable input from those like you more experienced than me. I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
 

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