Lots of chick questions

[whispurr]

This one?

That coop has no meaningful ventilation since the only windows are right at roost level. You'll need to open it up at the roof level to create airFLOW.

Height is good, if only to avoid such things as I experienced last summer: https://www.backyardchickens.com/posts/24739256 but only the square footage of the floor space really counts (though carefully-designed poop board setups *can* make the space more useful.

Chickens don't stack for storage.

No, the next one. Lol, stacking chickens.

 

[3KillerBs]

No, the next one. Lol, stacking chickens.

The barn style?

How about posting a photo so we understand which one you mean.

 

[whispurr]

 

[Barn yard chicks]

I have 6 chicks that are 3.5 weeks old. I clearly have two roosters. What would you do with an extra rooster, and at what age should I give him away if that's what I decide to do.? I'd kind of like to keep both until I determine which one is the friendliest but I don't want them to start fighting or picking on the 4 hens.

Do they still need the heat lamp?

When can they go outside?

How do you keep them from spilling their water or filling it up with shavings? I'd have to give them water every couple of hours if I was being diligent.

At what age do they start needing grit?

Thank you!

I would keep the extra cockrell just incase one don't make it through.
2nd, if they grow up together, get a few more girls.

 

[whispurr]

I would keep the extra cockrell just incase one don't make it through.
2nd, if they grow up together, get a few more girls.

I've been told that in a 5x6 coop I can only have 7 chickens. I have 4 girls and 2 boys. That leaves me one chicken to be at full capacity. If I get rid of one rooster I can get 2 more girls. Right?

 

[3KillerBs]

View attachment 3074346

OK, you still need to open up top level venting because the windows on that are at roost level and don't provide airFLOW. Installing top-hinged windows as high up on the gable peak as you can manage -- remembering to think in square FEET not square inches. Here's a good example in an article about making a safe, adjustable prop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/window-support-for-top-hinged-windows.74810/

I've been told that in a 5x6 coop I can only have 7 chickens. I have 4 girls and 2 boys. That leaves me one chicken to be at full capacity. If I get rid of one rooster I can get 2 more girls. Right?

In addition to recommending that you don't keep any males this first season, I recommend that you don't push up to the limits of your space this first time and wait to get more until next spring. That way you'll know better what you're doing, what you like in a chicken, and what you want to avoid.

Some breeds do better in different areas and we don't always know what we like at first -- I never expected to love my Blue Australorps the way I do.

 

[whispurr]

OK, you still need to open up top level venting because the windows on that are at roost level and don't provide airFLOW. Installing top-hinged windows as high up on the gable peak as you can manage -- remembering to think in square FEET not square inches. Here's a good example in an article about making a safe, adjustable prop: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/window-support-for-top-hinged-windows.74810/



In addition to recommending that you don't keep any males this first season, I recommend that you don't push up to the limits of your space this first time and wait to get more until next spring. That way you'll know better what you're doing, what you like in a chicken, and what you want to avoid.

Some breeds do better in different areas and we don't always know what we like at first -- I never expected to love my Blue Australorps the way I do.

I have Buff Orpingtons. That was what my first flock was and I loved them. I got lucky because Tractor Supply just listed them as Orpingtons. Wasn't sure what I was getting!

 

[whispurr]

We're scouting out locations to put this coop/run. The best location we have found is under a large carport for the run, and put the coop outside the covered carport. That would give us a run that is 16'x18'. We have power and water out there. A couple of questions though. Is gravel okay for the run? And why do I need power? I've seen people use a light to keep the chickens laying, is that necessary? And how often do you give them water? Daily? Just when it's gone or almost gone? In my first flock, we hung the food and water in the run. It was a long time ago and I have no idea if I knew what I was doing back then!

 

[3KillerBs]

We're scouting out locations to put this coop/run. The best location we have found is under a large carport for the run, and put the coop outside the covered carport. That would give us a run that is 16'x18'. We have power and water out there. A couple of questions though. Is gravel okay for the run? And why do I need power? I've seen people use a light to keep the chickens laying, is that necessary? And how often do you give them water? Daily? Just when it's gone or almost gone? In my first flock, we hung the food and water in the run. It was a long time ago and I have no idea if I knew what I was doing back then!

Gravel and chicken manure is not a good combination because the poop goes down into the gravel and stinks every time it gets wet. Also, chickens like to dig and scratch and the gravel hurts their feet.

Can you get them onto grass and dirt instead? They'll eat the green stuff then you add litter to the run to manage the manure.

Power isn't necessary unless you're brooding chicks. Some people do use lights, some people don't. I don't.

Water is necessary at all times the chickens are not sleeping. Clean, pure, fresh water -- I leave it in the run 24/7/365 and try to never let them run out. I change it when it gets nasty or after 2-4 days depending on how hot it is.

I free-feed, leaving the feeder accessible all the time too. Some people take it in at night if they have a rodent problem.

 

[rosemarythyme]

x2 on adding ventilation up high, the coop at least has good air volume due to height so that'll help, but you still need a way for moisture and ammonia to flow out.

Carport makes a great run, I'm very tempted to do that if I ever need to set up a chicken area again.

x2 everything else 3KillerBs said as far as gravel, power, food & water availability. Power is a nice bonus if you can spring for it - if you get freezing winters it'll let you add a heated waterer. It'll let you brood chicks outdoors. It'll let you hook up power tools without running a bunch of extension cords out every time you use them.