- Jul 26, 2013
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We built our coop with five hens in mind, a 6'x10', with a sheltered roost 6' long. As it turns out, we ended up with eight; six Buff Orps and two Black Australorps. They free range during the day, let out at daylight, and don't go back in until dusk. All has been fine with their interaction, other than the usual (I'm assuming) pecking order squabbles. They are now about 18 weeks old, with two obvious cockerels (crowing) one BA and one BO, and one (at least one) other BO that I suspect is a cockerel. For the last two nights, the squabbling has gotten pretty intense at roost time, with two BO's spending the night on the "poop board", as far as I can tell. We had already decided we needed to add another roost this weekend until we can re-home a roo or two, but now I'm thinking about us putting up a semi-temporary roost tomorrow at the same level but a couple of feet in front of the original one until we can get something permanent done.
Just wondering if the same coop, more roost room will work for awhile, since that seems to be the only time things get really heated. They all forage as a group during the day, with very little aggression towards one another. Anyone have an opinion to share?
Of course, I realize we should have done something before now, but they were all getting along so well until the hormones started really kicking in...
All feedback will be appreciated!
Just wondering if the same coop, more roost room will work for awhile, since that seems to be the only time things get really heated. They all forage as a group during the day, with very little aggression towards one another. Anyone have an opinion to share?
Of course, I realize we should have done something before now, but they were all getting along so well until the hormones started really kicking in...
All feedback will be appreciated!