MY FIRST COOP.

[trinacsj24]

I have finally finished my first coop. And I'm very excited to start choosing my first group of lady's to live in it.
I have a few questions...
1. How many hens will live comfortably in a 8x6(just coop) that has I ceiling that hits 6ft.(has separate roaming yard as well).
2. Does the separate yard have to have fencing on top to prevent flying?
3.which breeds should I look at for the weather extremes of Arizona.
Hens just for eggs not meat.

 

[Chicken Egg 17]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/261241/how-many-chickens-can-i-fit-in-a-6x8-coop

Here is a link telling how many to fit in a 8x6 coop. There run doesn't have to be cover to prevent flying but you would want to cover it because of Hawks and other animals at night that can easily climb over the fence and into the run so I would cover it. You could get Rhode Island reds, black Australorp, buff Orpington, jersey Giants,barnevelder, welsummer, silkie, wyandottes there are a few more I can list if you aren't satisfied with those breeds

 

[gander007]

Alright

great to have you joining the BYC flock

BYC has a wonderful Learning Center

Check out the Forum Nav: there are a lot of different Trends to choose from

Question 1 I would put 3 to 4 hens in the coop and that should still be plenty of room ...


Question 2If the hens are happy they will stay in the coop the real question is do you have any hawks in your area but a net over the top is always the safest route ..



Question 3 Well that is a hard one as I try to avoid telling some one what kind of chickens to get as that is a personal thing and I have only visited Arizona several times and do not know much about it but on the other hand I do live in Death Valley California and the chickens that do the best for me is the Easter Egger chickens as they handle the heat but you do need to keep water available at all times and shelter to get out of the sun wind and rain oh one thing in the summer try to hose down the ground it really help's the chickens cool off ......


I hope some of this helps you out a bit ....

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - glad that you have joined us.

CT

 

[trinacsj24]

Thanks so excited

 

[NickyKnack]

Hello!

Welcome to BYC and the coop! There's a lot of great peeps here! Feel free to ask lots of questions. But most of all, make yourself at home. I'm so glad you decided to joined the BYC family. I look forward to seeing you around BYC.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to BYC. I think you will do best if you join your state thread - so you can ask others what breeds tolerate the heat, are good egg producers and what sort of coop you need for the climate.

Rule of thumb holds 4-5 sg.feet per bird in the coop (excluding nest boxes and roosts) and 10 sq/feet per bird in the outside run. Having a run cover will not be a mistake if it keeps out raptors and climbing or jumping predators.

I would suspect you will need shade, shade and more shade for your birds. Man made, natural, etc. whatever works. They will need plenty of cool, clean water.etc

 

[N F C]

x2 on drumstick diva's advice.

Good luck to you, hope you enjoy having chickens as much as I do!