Need help with a coop idea

[Merchris]

Hi all,

I currently have a coop where I have 13 chickens...3 of which are roosters (all surprises). What I need help with figuring out how to keep my smaller hens (frizzles and silkies) safe from my roosters. Currently all the chickens are let out during the day and just go back in at night. I just want everyone to get along and be safe. I would say my current coop is about 10x12. I know I need to put more nest boxes and roosts in, but I was just hoping someone might have an idea for my smaller babies.

I appreciate it, Thanks.

 

[peruvian_princess]

anyway to do a temperary or permanent for that matter section? My Dh did this for me when we got our 2 bantam mix roos. We left our RIR hens and roo in the larger run where the next boxes are and sectioned off about a 4 x 10 foot section. We added another door for easy access. My DH works in construction and used vinyl soffit for the partition. Worked great.

 

[wynedot55]

you can do 1 or 2 things.build a coop for your smaller hens.or build a bachlor pen for your roos.an you can also cull 1 of your roos.

 

[Merchris]

This would probably be permenant since I just hatched about 6 little frizzles. I only had 1 little frizzle before and I always worried about her, but now that I have 7, I'd be worried about hawks all day, so I was thinking of leaving them in safe keeping, but I know she loves to run around.


Would the roosters get along in a bachelor pad, or would they fight there too?

 

[peruvian_princess]

The 2 bantam mixes are ddoing fine together all though they do hav ethe occasional boxing match so to speak but they were raised up togehter and get along fine for the most part. Depending on how mnay roos you will keep in the additon make sure it is big enough and they shoudl be fine. They will fight from time to time but if they are all togehter they should get along. If not you can always have a chicken dinner.

 

[Dawn419]

Would the roosters get along in a bachelor pad, or would they fight there too?

The roosters will get along in a bachelor pen as long as they can't see the hens, from my understanding.

I've been thinking about building a bachelor pen but we're running out of flat ground to build on so I've been separating the extra roos into empty rabbit hutches for the time being, until we can proccess them for the freezer (I've offered our 5 extra roos for sale for months but have had no takers).

Dawn​

 

[Merchris]

I wouldn't be able to have chicken dinner, as much as we joke about it!! I feel bad keeping them penned in. 90% of the time they get along. 2 of them were brought up together, both were supposed to be girls, imagine my surprise when I didn't want any to start with !!! I just don't want to get rid of anyone, but I don't want to suddenly have the business of taking care of the chickens turn into a big deal. Are they especially 'energetic' this time of year?? My poor hens are chased the minute I let them out of the pen.