I'm Going to Need a Bigger Coop!

[DobieClose]

In the last 3 1/2 months, my babies have really grown. It's definitely time for a bigger Garage Coop!
They're free range and only in at night, but Roost space is at a premium.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Garage coop? Hmmm that's interesting. I'm sure there are pro's and con's. Pro is predator proof! So I guess there is nothing wrong with that if it works for you and you're really planning to leave it open/accessable when they start to lay... ?? Looks like you have 6, so indeed I'd plan for at least 60inches roost space.

 

[DobieClose]

I have 7. 6 hens 1 rooster. My workshop is in the garage. I wanted them near me but they spend all day outside on their 1/2 acre. Their door is open all day and secured at night. They do come in when it storms. I have yet to experience a winter with chickens.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I have 7. 6 hens 1 rooster. My workshop is in the garage. I wanted them near me but they spend all day outside on their 1/2 acre. Their door is open all day and secured at night. They do come in when it storms. I have yet to experience a winter with chickens.

Sounds nice!

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

They are so pretty!!
I think every chicken owner "needs" a bigger coop!
I know I do, bc then I can have more chickens

 

[DobieClose]

So, this is the outside of the garage coop with a shanty-town, flea-bottom looking run. The run is rarely used. Almost never. They're either free ranging or in the coop.
Do I really need the run?

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I think of my "run" the same way. It's a gigantic chainlink panel area around my coop where the door is only closed at night, both run and coop are locked up but that's for Predator protection. In your sitch I just think the run is a "nice to have," in case you need to lock them during the day when you're gone or let's say you're on vacation and don't want them free-ranging? I d k, it's nice to have options! You might get more and need to lock the little's in a run during integration??? I lock mine up in spring when I have seedlings that I don't want them to destroy.... Other than that, they are free to roam about 5acres....

 

[Battlepants]

I have yet to experience a winter with chickens.

It might be worth it to cover a bit more of the run for the winter - chickens like to be able to scratch the ground and usually prefer to not have to deal with the snow in my experience.

For the garage, winter is going to be a breeze for them. Probably well insulated, easy access to power outlets for water defrosters, practically zero draft. Just make sure they have a decent amount of room to stay in all day for those particularly harsh winter days.

 

[DobieClose]

It might be worth it to cover a bit more of the run for the winter - chickens like to be able to scratch the ground and usually prefer to not have to deal with the snow in my experience.

For the garage, winter is going to be a breeze for them. Probably well insulated, easy access to power outlets for water defrosters, practically zero draft. Just make sure they have a decent amount of room to stay in all day for those particularly harsh winter days.

Thanks. The new coop will be much bigger.

 

[DobieClose]

It might be worth it to cover a bit more of the run for the winter - chickens like to be able to scratch the ground and usually prefer to not have to deal with the snow in my experience.

For the garage, winter is going to be a breeze for them. Probably well insulated, easy access to power outlets for water defrosters, practically zero draft. Just make sure they have a decent amount of room to stay in all day for those particularly harsh winter days.

This is what we were thinking about doing. I want an actual slanted roof over it that'll dump outside the run.
And no more flea bottom!