LittlesNBigs self introduction

[LittlesNBigs]

The coop isn't big enough for them either.

There is 5 linear foot of roost and 2 full size nesting boxes. I'll need to measure the total vent area, but for everything I can find that seems to be enough for four hens. What am I missing?

 

[DobieLover]

There is 5 linear foot of roost and 2 full size nesting boxes. I'll need to measure the total vent area, but for everything I can find that seems to be enough for four hens. What am I missing?

They need 16 sq ft of floor space in the coop not including nest box space. You'd want at least 2 sq ft of permit ventilation but more is advisable.

 

[LittlesNBigs]

16 sq ft of floor space in the coop

That seems like a lot for four birds -- they basically pile up at night and leave most of the floor area vacant anyway. During the day they don't really go in the coop. I'll have to keep this in mind as they get bigger and might have to redesign when the time comes.

We have a second coop that's a little larger with three older Brahmas. We're thinking to build a single larger coop eventually when the flocks start to combine. As it stands they share the yard but stay separate generally. The goal is to add a couple birds each spring for the next few years to have a good spread of ages until we have a dozen or so. I guess we'll need to be planning to have at least 60 sf coop for the future expansion.

 

[Yowza Wowza]

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