Layout Thoughts? - Multiple Coops, Runs, Pens

[Ted Brown]

I have a 10' by 16' Woods KD elevated ~4': so 160 sq ft of run and 160 sq ft of run. I have plans for an additional 12' by 12' covered run and am CURRENTLY building a mobile (on a trailer) 8' by 12' Woods KD coop. I have close to 3 acres, mostly 100 feet wide.

I have a new interest in breeding so will add pens to the coop/run mix as I will want to isolate by breed, family, health, age, etc.. I want to design a layout that will be flexible to exchange access to separate runs. I expect to start with two coops (both elevated to provide dedicated run space) then one, two(?) runs cross connected; then hardware cloth pens on a base; anticipate adding any of coops/runs/pens.

Any/all thoughts, suggestions, cautions, etc. most appreciated.

 

[cavemanrich]

If I was having a vocal conversation with you, then many things could be answered as we would talk back and forth. Other wise my response could get long enough to get bleeding fingers from typing ..
Not sure how many different breeds do you intend to carry.? How many chicks do you plan on raising,,,(for sale or keep).
An easy way to breed a set of chickens, is to isolate desired hens with a rooster. Keep all your desired hens rooster free for about 3 weeks. Then introduce the desired groups together (hens and roosters) . When chickens do get jumped by Roo, they keep about 3 week supply of fertility portion (sperm) from rooster.
You can alternate groups into the breeding grounds. This way you don't need that many separate facilities.
Ask anything else you would like me to clarify. I'm sure other chicken peeps will chime in with their suggestions.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

 

[Ted Brown]

@cavemanrich - so true what you say about verbal vs written.

My interest in breeding is based on my decision to get White Chanteclers (I now have 14 that I hatched myself) and to perpetuate them in my flock. That decision was more whimsical but simple - We are Canadian, Oka (original location of start of breed) is two hours away, it gets cold here in the winter. So answer is one or a few(?) number of breeds. Possible few because a BYC member brought up Icelandic's; I then discovered they have a Canadian history and are supported by the Canadian Heritage Livestock and Rare Breeds Canada folks.

A penny has dropped in that I have realized that what I need is the ability to isolate birds/groups of birds both inside and out for various lengths of time.

This realization came about at the same time as I had two (maybe three) sets of chicks (5 weeks, 2 weeks, 4 eggs currently under a broody hen); to handle those I built three pens under the drop boards in my coop. That experience is causing a bit of a re-think about method of construction as I want real flexibility to re-configure, take down...

Your comment about three week fertility cycle made me realize that I do not need multiple runs as I was previously thinking. Very good realization, thanks.

So, back to building a 2nd mobile coop (https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/authentic-8-by-12-portable-woods-kd-coop.1379150/) and completing a single enlarged run space.