Joining Two Prefabricated Coops...

[Capodimusica]

With chicks arriving next week, they will be in the brooder for a few weeks (3-4) before going to the coop. The problem is that the coop is not ready yet! I have purchased two prefab coops and would love to get some advice for you pros. My initial thought was to connect the runs so each end would have a coop and the run would be twice as long. While it would be easier to do in the short term...it would certainly add a little more to cleanup. I'm curious if I go this route, would the chickens divide themselves up at night for comfort, or will they all try to pile into one side? The second option is to put them side to side. The length of the run would be wider, along with the coop. Thank you in advance for any help. I start building/assembly this weekend!

 

[Capodimusica]

Here are the two options I had in mind. What do you think and what would the chickens prefer?

 

[TalkALittle]

In the side by side configuration will the two coops be connected and the birds able to pass from one coop to the other? If so, that's the route I'd go. It gets them all roosting together as one flock. It might be quite easy to connect the two coops. Since your birds won't be laying for a while they won't need the nest boxes. Might you be able to leave the nest boxes off and butt the two coops together such that the chicks can pass from one coop to the other through the resulting holes in the walls? Of course you'd need a way to secure the coops together and rooflines might get in the way but it's a suggestion.

 

[aart]

1 space would be better than 2 separate ones if you want one flock.

.......but......

The side by side would take coops with mirror image configurations, is that what you have to work with?

 

[TalkALittle]

I think that for many pre-fabs the sides are pretty much interchangeable.

 

[RobynI]

Here are the two options I had in mind. What do you think and what would the chickens prefer?

I would go with the back to back coops making ONE indoor space. However did you consider the roof line? I have a similar issue and was thinking of adding another coop (no run) to the right of original and removing inside wall/door between them. Roof line would be the same and extended.