Need some help.

[chickendude]

I have a 10x20 dog kennel run with a 4x6 coop inside the run. It was used for my hens but they are moved to a new and bigger coop and run. So now that I have the free space I was thinking of getting 25 Jumbo Cornish X Rocks from McMurray. I would brood them in the coop until they feather out. Will they need a coop for night time or will they fair okay outside in their protected run. I understand they will be processed at round 6-10 weeks old. Here is a picture of the run and coop. Let me know what you think please.

 

[mljohnson05]

Will you have a heat lamp in there for them???
and are you doing to let them into the Pen area during the day or just keep them in the coop??


Cause at that age...They really should not be free ranging...and they will be small enough that they will fit through the fencing you have around the coop (trust me I KNOW...lol)

As long as you can control the temp. in the coop I think the coop will be fine leaving them locked in there...just make sure they get sunlight too.

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

the snow in the pic sends a mixed message, what are your temps now?

 

[4-H chicken mom]

I would only keep a maybe a dozen in the coop. Much too small for 25.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

I brooded 80 in a 6x8 coop to about 4 weeks, that was ok but did require a fair bit of cleaning so I would think it would be fine to feather out 25 in the 4x6 coop. The meaties will likely have little use for the coup after 4 weeks and will stick to the ground. 10x20 is lots of room, but you will need to do a fair bit of cleaning and replacing bedding.

 

[erinchelsea]

Quote:
This. They poop SO much it will get nasty really fast. Or maybe use it just for a few weeks and then move them to a bigger space. It's unbelievable how fast their space will get covered in poo with these birds, even when they are still pretty little chicks.

 

[chickendude]

Thanks for all the tips. I am planing on getting them the first week of August. The temps can range from the 90's during the day to 65 to 70 in the evening. I hoped to brood them in the coop with a heat lamp and then when they are feathered out let them spend the rest of their time outside in the run. As for the fence openings. I have chicken wire around it to prevent any escapees. My biggest concern or question is will they fair well outside once they are feathered? As you can see the run is covered and I was thinking of putting a tarp on the fence where the wind and rain is prevalent.

 

[Clay Valley Farmer]

once feathered they will be fine blocking 1 or 2 sides though would be good for cutting the wind exposure, also you want to make sure they can get some shade at all times in hot weather. They are rather intolerant of heat.

On that watch you don't over heat them in the daytime with the brooder light. I had a close call on that when I had them 2-3 weeks old, cool morning and I left the brooder light on full for the day, then later in the day sun came out and temp shot up, by the time I got home they were over heated. If temps are up in the 80s and 90s you will not need much if anything for heat durring the day and I would think you should be able to wean them off heat in 3 weeks durring warmer weather.