We got a new coop/run when it became obvious that the 4x4 hoop house/run (4x9) was too small for our 7 LF hens (they are now 20 weeks old and have been in the new digs for a couple of weeks).
The 7 girls are in a 6x8 building with 2 roosts the width of the building at 2' and 4' -- they all sleep on the top roosts. Three chickens on one side leaning against the wall, and four chickens on the other side leaning against that wall. I put a piece of plywood at each end of the roost because they were directly against the steel sides of the building and it was COLD. They like to sit on the upper roost so they can see out of the windows and watch us come an go.
Their pen is a (so far only moderately safe) triangle 50'x30'x40' or so. They free range in the large (chain link) fenced yard and in the flower gardens near the house all morning most days and then put themselves back in for the middle of the day. Since I got the netting over the top of the run area, they are spending more time there. It is almost as if they know they are safer from the hawks (and we have lots of red tails) than they are in the yard.
They have 3 nest boxes that as far as I can tell they have never even explored - but they aren't laying yet anyway. The waterer is under the sleeping/eating shelf (at about 2' high) along one wall.
I think they appreciate having room to stretch out. They weren't pecking each other before, but they were awfully crowded when they had to be in the coop.
My husband is a saint. He planned and implemented the windows and pop-door, fenced and netted the run, spent several weekends going here and there for materials and turning them into a home for the girls. All I have done is painting and building the stuff that went inside the coop. He won't admit it, but I think he likes the chickens, too.
The 7 girls are in a 6x8 building with 2 roosts the width of the building at 2' and 4' -- they all sleep on the top roosts. Three chickens on one side leaning against the wall, and four chickens on the other side leaning against that wall. I put a piece of plywood at each end of the roost because they were directly against the steel sides of the building and it was COLD. They like to sit on the upper roost so they can see out of the windows and watch us come an go.
Their pen is a (so far only moderately safe) triangle 50'x30'x40' or so. They free range in the large (chain link) fenced yard and in the flower gardens near the house all morning most days and then put themselves back in for the middle of the day. Since I got the netting over the top of the run area, they are spending more time there. It is almost as if they know they are safer from the hawks (and we have lots of red tails) than they are in the yard.
They have 3 nest boxes that as far as I can tell they have never even explored - but they aren't laying yet anyway. The waterer is under the sleeping/eating shelf (at about 2' high) along one wall.
I think they appreciate having room to stretch out. They weren't pecking each other before, but they were awfully crowded when they had to be in the coop.
My husband is a saint. He planned and implemented the windows and pop-door, fenced and netted the run, spent several weekends going here and there for materials and turning them into a home for the girls. All I have done is painting and building the stuff that went inside the coop. He won't admit it, but I think he likes the chickens, too.
