Light Brahma and Buff Orp questions!

[jkl79]

Hello! I am fairly new to this whole chicken business and am already obsessed! I started out with just a few buff orps and silkies for my backyard coop but now have 10 chickens (3 light brahmas, 5 buff orps, 2 silkies).

Our coop is only a 12x4 ft space and I am wondering if these breeds can live happily together. Also, is this enough space for all of the chickens (all pullets)? I know that the rule of thumb is approx. 4sq. ft/chicken, but since the brahmas will be so large, I want to make sure I haven't overdone it with all of these chickens (not that I can imagine ever giving any away!).

I'd really appreciate your comments!

Thanks!

 

[kstaven]

You have lots of room. The only thing I would worry about is the larger breeds picking on the silkies.

 

[digitS']

I also think you should do fine with that size of coop & # of birds but you said nothing about height and ventilation.

Here's another "rule of thumb:" "Provide 3 cubic feet of air (total enclosed space) per pound of body weight for permanent indoor confinement quarters." These "digitS'" consider that a minimum but one really should consider air in the coop especially if it well-insulated.

I've had both of your large breeds. They do take up some room. Let's be generous and say you have 100 pounds of birds in your coop. You'll need 300 cubic feet.

4 x 12 = 48 square feet. At 7 feet height you've got sufficient air volume for your 100 pounds of birds.

If your coop is of that height, I think it wouldn't be too difficult to make some use of the upper area for your 2 silkies. The Brahmas and Orpingtons will generally stay on the floor.

Steve's thumbs, fingers, and toes

 

[jkl79]

Thanks so much for the feed back! I look at the space and just am a little worried that the girls won't be comfortable. The coop is actually 4 ft hight, but the majority of the coop is an outdoor run so the ventilation shouldn't be a problem. This is a "tractor" chicken coop, or mobile coop that my husband and I built. However, I'm now thinking of building another coop just for silkies and adding on to that flock because I love them so much. None of my chickens are more than 6 weeks old but I'm already addicted.

 

[Mrs MIA]

The coop is intended for sleeping and laying eggs, or getting out of the elements. They should have plenty of room. We have LBs and our Silkie just runs circles around them. The roo is about 10 times bigger than the Silkie, but doesn't bother her one bit - which is good, because if he tried to have his way with her, he'd smash her into the ground! LOL! Anyway, be sure to give them plenty of run space, and your coop should be fine. They like to snuggle and huddle together in the coop, anyway. At least that's my experience.

Good luck!

 

[Chirpy]

Ha! Ha! Ha! We got another addict! Six weeks old and she's hooked... reel her in and get her more chickens...

 

[herechickchick]

I keep Silkies, Brahmas and Orpingtons together and I have no problems!

 

[jkl79]

I'm pretty sure my husband is ready to leave me!

We were only going to get 3 chicks but after going to the feedstore I had to leave w/ 10!

Unfortunately, these girls can't free range because of my location and my dogs. The entire area they will live in is 12x4ft with the outside run area being approximately 8x4ft. Does this still sound like enough room?

Thanks to all for your feedback!