Idea, but need advise. 2 coops; 1 run?

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

Hi everyone! Well, my DH had an idea earlier about keeping two coops with one run. This way we could still use the Eglu we bought and the new one that we're building (6x4). This arrangement would give us room for 9 hens total but I'm not sure how it would work out socially for them. Would everyone eventually try and cram into one coop? Would they form two completely seperate flocks and have fights/spats? Or would this work out well for everyone involved?

 

[Diamond Wire Farms]

I have two coops in one run. They all liked the first coop at first, then most of my girls moved to the expansion. They still use the first coop for laying, but like to roost in the newer coop at night. As long as you are not running at MAX capacity the arrangement works out fine. I've also noticed that new-comers tend to spend some time in the older coop before the establish their place in the pecking order. It also takes some pressure off of my broodies. When I only had one coop, I had to move them out of the run immediately. With 2 coops there are fewer chickens in the egg house at night, and I let my broodies sit in there until it is almost time for the eggs to hatch.

 

[Chick_In_The_Burbs]

They would only be at max capacity if they all crammed into one coop. We currently have three pullets and four chicks (2 5 day olds and 2 2 day olds). The coop we're building is a 6x4 but the nest boxes are external to that and add about 4 ft2 more. I just don't know if those would count towards square footage or not. But I figure if we can make use of the Eglu too... We won't be getting more than these 7.