Looking for Real Answers

[Rhiannon0207]

I will be getting my first set of baby chicks at the beginning of April. My plan is to get 4 Golden Comets. Really want egg layers, but something that can handle sharing a yard with a 5 year old and a 1 year old (don't want skittish birds... heard this is a good bread).

I'm trying to determine if it is more cost efficient to buy a coop or have one built. I'm not sure how much space 4 comets will need for nesting or for their run.

I have found some great coops at Tractor Supply and on Amazon but they all say chicken coop / bunny hutch and it makes me question if it'll be big enough for four birds.

I have friends who raise chickens and I've asked questions, "how big do the birds get?" Answer I've received..."not very". I've asked, "how much space do they need?" Answer received, "Oh not much, they're very content birds".

This is not helpful to me in my planning. Does anyone know where I can find REAL answers to my questions about the breed and their care requirements?

Any help and information is very much appreciated.

 

[BigECarter]

I believe the rule of thumb minimum areas are 4 sq ft per bird for the coop, 10 sq ft per bird for the run. That's the minimum. Bigger is better.

BYC has lots of articles along with the info in the forum. I suggest you read as much as you can so that you can determine what is best for your situation. Pay particular attention to ventilation and predator proofing. Also, look at three sided coops - they don't seem that common but have a lot of advantages.

 

[RedRapunzel]

10 inches to 12 inches of roosting bar per bird. 3-4 square feet of coop per bird. 18 inches from the wall and ceiling for the roosting bar. 10 square feet of run per bird. These are the most common numbers I have found. Some do more like sardines in a can others use a whole barn for 2 birds. A chicken has a roughly 14x14x14 inch foot print, some bigger, some smaller. I have spent the last month doing coop and run research. Good luck.

 

[Sonya9]

I have found some great coops at Tractor Supply and on Amazon but they all say chicken coop / bunny hutch and it makes me question if it'll be big enough for four birds.

I have friends who raise chickens and I've asked questions, "how big do the birds get?" Answer I've received..."not very". I've asked, "how much space do they need?" Answer received, "Oh not much, they're very content birds".

"Not very???". Sheesh...this is my first time getting chicks and I went to a local breeder. I got the tour of the place and saw the ADULT breeding groups. Yeah, maybe they are "not very big" compared to emus but trust me some of those birds are pretty darn big! Some of the roosters looked ginormous.

I looked on Amazon and analyzed all of their coops too. After seeing full sized RIRs, Ameraucaunas, Dominiques, etc.... I realized those tiny doll house pre-fab chicken coops are NOT what I want. Plus most are primarily imported from china and will be made from super light/flimsy cheap to ship wood that won't last years. I was close to buying a $700 plastic "doll house" coop but then decided to have my lawn man build me one out of plywood instead (cost me about $400 and it is 7' tall, 4' x 8' wide, I can walk inside, the chickens can roost up high, etc....).

I am only going to keep a small flock of 5 or so but I want to be able to walk in their coop to clean, socialize, etc... For the run I bought electric poultry fencing and netting. If you have the space give them more, it is better for everyone and will keep down squabbles and stress among the chickens. They love green grass and in a small run it will end up bare very quickly.

I suspect if you buy a coop online (unless you spend over $1000 on a real full size Amish/Mennonite made coop) you will be replacing it within a year or two.

 

[Ridgerunner]

For space, follow the link in my signature.

Golden Comer is just a marketing name for a red sex link cross. They are not a breed. They might be based on the commercial egg layers or they might be based on two dual purpose breeds. In either case, you should be happy with them. Just handle them a lot starting when they are young.

As far as building or buying a coop, you might want to read this thread. It's kind of long but informative.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/852529/money-poorly-spent