- Oct 28, 2008
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I am wondering everyone's thoughts on ideal space considerations both for coop/nest boxes and fenced in areas for chickens.. Currently I have a mixed (large breed and bantam) flock of around 20 birds split between two coops sharing one fenced in area.. the larger of the coops is a 6X8 barn with 4 nest boxes and 6 feet of roosts.. ironically only 4 hens and a rooster decide to stay in this coop. The other coop is approximately 3X 5 give or take as it has large boxes (not nest boxes) that give more space it also has 3 roosting areas with approx. 3 roosts that are approx 3 feet long. Now all the remaining birds cram into this coop.. why I don't know.. my fenced in area is odd shaped but would guess it in neighborhood of 18X15 maybe a bit more... when the weather is nice and there is not a foot of snow on the ground the back doors of coops open up and chickens are able to roam the woods which consists of approximately 2 acres in their coop vicinity..
I see these premade coops in magazines and they look small to me and say they hold so many large birds and so many bantams.. I would like to condense my birds and make sure I have enough space.. and not run into health problems in long run.. some day I would like to add to my flock as many of my birds are getting older ( I have two hens that are over 8 years old) and I have way too many roosters!!!
I see these premade coops in magazines and they look small to me and say they hold so many large birds and so many bantams.. I would like to condense my birds and make sure I have enough space.. and not run into health problems in long run.. some day I would like to add to my flock as many of my birds are getting older ( I have two hens that are over 8 years old) and I have way too many roosters!!!