I need a bit of help on this one

[daniel-delarosa]

My chickens like to hang out in the rabbit barn more than their coop since I added 10 more chickens to my flock. I need a little advice on how to set up some new nesting boxes and roost inside the rabbit barn. The barn is 12x15. The back wall is all rabbit cages. The front wall has a 3ft door at one end and a single 2ft wide rabbit cage for my buck. That leaves a 10ft space to fit a roost and nesting boxes that will accommodate 20 chickens.

 

[bfrancis]

Are they going to be free range or just in the space you've outlined? If only confined to the space you've outlined, there's not enough room for 20 chickens.

You will need at least 2 nest boxes, preferably 3. The dimensions for a standard sized fowl is 12" x12"x 15" mounted close to the floor. The roost should be placed higher, a 2x4 on edge to give the birds a good footing and so they can cover their feet with their chest in the winter. This should be at least 12" from the wall and a standard is to start 3' off the ground. If you have multilevel roost, start the bottom at 3', 2' from the wall and place anther 16" higher at one foot from the wall.

Hope this helps!

BTW, noticed you were an Okie too...have you seen the BYC Okie thread? Its a great place to meet other folks from our state! Look forward to seeing you there!



https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=501128

 

[SteveBaz]

How about building boxes 4'off the ground with a few of these attached to the wall http://fowlstuff.com/Products.html I love them I wish I had a setup for them to go in!!

 

[daniel-delarosa]

Quote:
Oh, forgot to mention they free range. I have the chicken coop and the rabbit barn in a 40x25 fenced area. City ordinance requires 900sq. ft. for fowl enclosures, but I think Im the only one that actually abides by it. And yes, I have seen the Okie thread. I actually met Pocco Pollo on that thread and bought my first chickens from her.