So, I really enjoyed building my coop and run and now I have 10 hens and a rooster that are about 3 months old. I want to build another coop and I need to pick the bird for it. I could raise a pen of roosters to slaughter or I could raise game birds or I could get a couple of Banty's and let her hatch some eggs from my RIR hens. The last sounds like a good plan to me..raise these chickens to eat.
I would build that other coop/run (got building withdrawals huh?)
and just keep it empty for now to use as an extra enclosure until this time next year.
Give yourself a chance to get used to raising chickens and all it might entail before starting another flock...especially get thru that first winter. The learning curve can be steep and you've only just begun.
I built my coop so I could partition off part of it and it was the best decision I made......
......I wish I had one or two more partitions.
I've used it for:
a rogue cockerel over the first winter until I got up the guts to gut him for rooster and noodles.
a new batch of chicks to live in until they were old enough to integrate with the main flock.
a broody hen in the second winter.
another new batch of chicks now.
That's funny...you're reading my mail....I just got to loving the woodwork and carpentry and I'm not wanting to stop. So, I'll heed your advice and just build another coop for whatever comes next.
I'm sure there is a learning curve and I'm not aware of what I don't know...duh.
I'll just slow down and enjoy watching these birds develop.
I've been slightly surprised as the roo was the biggest when I brought them home...now the girls are heavier. He's the most interested in me. I've always acted like the dominant 'animal' when in the coop/pen with them and I've shooed him away from me on numerous occasions. I want the relationship you suggested...I'll feed and care for them but remain distant.
I sure don't want a mean rooster...I just want us to respect each other.
