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Bob McD

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Hello Everyone, I was at TSC the other day and decided to get one of their coops and get some chickens for laying eggs. My wife loves the idea. The coop I bought is sort of flimsy, so I am in the process of building and bracing it. I've perused this site and there seems to be a ton of great information and many helpful people here!! So I joined! I haven't finished the coop but will soon. I've eyeballed info on chickens and haven't quite decided what kind I want or from where, but will keep looking things over. I'm interested in Easter Eggers and perhaps RIR, PR, or Orpingtons. Gotta find someone nearby that raises them. I'm a complete novice so any and all suggestions, information, etc will absolutely be most welcomed!!!!

I do have one question (actually tons, but one for now), the coop I got has 44.5 sq ft run and an elevated 19.5 sq ft coup. If I understand things correctly, then those combined give me approx 64 sq ft total. Does that mean the coop is the correct size to allow me to get 6 hens?

Thank y'all for the site and the opportunity to join:) I need to learn!!!!!!!:cool:
 
Greetings and welcome to BYC! So glad you joined us. There's a wealth of info, knowledge and experience shared in the multitude of threads. Browse around and see what interesting stuff you can find. By all means post away when the desire strikes you, especially if you have questions (provide as much detail/info as possible and pictures truly help)... With all the great folks here, generally someone will respond in no time at all. Please make yourself at home!

Most of the commercially produced coops (like those at TSC) are really only good for 1/2 or less # of birds they advertise to hold. In addition, most are low quality materials, and are basically only good for the first year or two of normal everyday use, and after that really only good for an emergency situation or a brooding hen, quarantine situations, and the like. Not for continued everyday use.

It's not total space that's the issue. Much depends on where you're located (climate/weather), and how much time they will be spending in each portion; coop or run. The minimum recommended area for inside the coop is 4 square feet/bird (large fowl). You can get away with a little less with bantams/small breeds, or with very large coops and #s of birds. (they tend to group/flock, leaving adequate "open" space for birds who need it.)

Since you're located down south, cold shouldn't be your major issue. Yes I know it gets cold there, but not too cold, and not for prolonged periods. Heat and humidity are going to be your biggest issue. You'll need lots of ventilation! As long as the birds are out of the wind and covered (dry) they are wearing a full time down coat... They can keep warm with no problem. You could probably build a completely open air coop (walls of hardware cloth/fencing with a good roof and wind blocking wall(s) around the roosts inside). There are thousands of coop pictures in the coop thread.

Oh, if you haven't done so already, PLEASE put at least your general location in your profile. It could be very important if/when you ask for or offer help or advice. You know, climate issues and such. Old folks like me :old will never remember & look there first. To add it, mouse hover over Account top right and a drop down will appear. Click on Personal Details and scan down. You'll see the spot for Location. Then go to the bottom and save changes. Thanks! Hope you enjoy the site!
 
Latestarter said:
Greetings and welcome to BYC! So glad you joined us. There's a wealth of info, knowledge and experience shared in the multitude of threads. Browse around and see what interesting stuff you can find. By all means post away when the desire strikes you, especially if you have questions (provide as much detail/info as possible and pictures truly help)... With all the great folks here, generally someone will respond in no time at all. Please make yourself at home!

Most of the commercially produced coops (like those at TSC) are really only good for 1/2 or less # of birds they advertise to hold. In addition, most are low quality materials, and are basically only good for the first year or two of normal everyday use, and after that really only good for an emergency situation or a brooding hen, quarantine situations, and the like. Not for continued everyday use.

It's not total space that's the issue. Much depends on where you're located (climate/weather), and how much time they will be spending in each portion; coop or run. The minimum recommended area for inside the coop is 4 square feet/bird (large fowl). You can get away with a little less with bantams/small breeds, or with very large coops and #s of birds. (they tend to group/flock, leaving adequate "open" space for birds who need it.)

Since you're located down south, cold shouldn't be your major issue. Yes I know it gets cold there, but not too cold, and not for prolonged periods. Heat and humidity are going to be your biggest issue. You'll need lots of ventilation! As long as the birds are out of the wind and covered (dry) they are wearing a full time down coat... They can keep warm with no problem. You could probably build a completely open air coop (walls of hardware cloth/fencing with a good roof and wind blocking wall(s) around the roosts inside). There are thousands of coop pictures in the coop thread.

Oh, if you haven't done so already, PLEASE put at least your general location in your profile. It could be very important if/when you ask for or offer help or advice. You know, climate issues and such. Old folks like me :old will never remember & look there first. To add it, mouse hover over Account top right and a drop down will appear. Click on Personal Details and scan down. You'll see the spot for Location. Then go to the bottom and save changes. Thanks! Hope you enjoy the site!
Click to expand...
:goodpost:
LIKE PROTO TYPE.gif
 
Welcome to BYC! Great to have you here, and glad to hear that you're taking the plunge into keeping chickens!

Excellent advice from @Latestarter above. A couple other things I'd mention are:

1. Are they going to be inside the coop/run all the time? Or will you let them out to free-range? They'll probably spend most of their time outside (especially if you have shade for them in the summer). So if part of that is spent outside the run, it will buy you some room.

2. How long is your roost? If the coop is 19.5 sq ft, I'll bet it's not much more than 4'. You can't fit six regular sized hens on that (and they don't like to be left off!). So you'd want to make some accommodation if you have more than, say, four hens.

3. Consider how tough it is to clean the coop. They poop all night and it accumulates under the roost. If it isn't set up to clean easily, you might not want to overcrowd it.
 
Plip said:
Welcome to BYC! Great to have you here, and glad to hear that you're taking the plunge into keeping chickens!

Excellent advice from @Latestarter above. A couple other things I'd mention are:

1. Are they going to be inside the coop/run all the time? Or will you let them out to free-range? They'll probably spend most of their time outside (especially if you have shade for them in the summer). So if part of that is spent outside the run, it will buy you some room.

2. How long is your roost? If the coop is 19.5 sq ft, I'll bet it's not much more than 4'. You can't fit six regular sized hens on that (and they don't like to be left off!). So you'd want to make some accommodation if you have more than, say, four hens.

3. Consider how tough it is to clean the coop. They poop all night and it accumulates under the roost. If it isn't set up to clean easily, you might not want to overcrowd it.
Click to expand...
Thanks,

Mostly remain in coup/run, we have lots of predators here, including hawks, coyotes, foxes, coons, possums, etc. Also, we have three dogs and one of them is a Golden Retriever/Australian Shephard mix....someone threw her out and she came to our place. She is a very intelligent, survivor, nothing is safe within ten acres out in the open.......we have no rabbits or squirrels in the immediate area anymore :( The run has a shaded roof. Enclosed coop is 45 in X 63 in. Not counting the nesting area, which protrudes out the back wall. Has four sections in it. They had it on sale for $350 plus tax, so I got it.

Here is link. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-ranch-chicken-coop?cm_vc=-10005

There are two roosts, each 45 inches long, they run parallel, with plenty of separation between them.

Clean up is easy, has a drawer in total floor of coop with side door entry to clean it. Bottom of drawer is galvanized plate
 
Latestarter said:
Greetings and welcome to BYC! So glad you joined us. There's a wealth of info, knowledge and experience shared in the multitude of threads. Browse around and see what interesting stuff you can find. By all means post away when the desire strikes you, especially if you have questions (provide as much detail/info as possible and pictures truly help)... With all the great folks here, generally someone will respond in no time at all. Please make yourself at home!

Most of the commercially produced coops (like those at TSC) are really only good for 1/2 or less # of birds they advertise to hold. In addition, most are low quality materials, and are basically only good for the first year or two of normal everyday use, and after that really only good for an emergency situation or a brooding hen, quarantine situations, and the like. Not for continued everyday use.

It's not total space that's the issue. Much depends on where you're located (climate/weather), and how much time they will be spending in each portion; coop or run. The minimum recommended area for inside the coop is 4 square feet/bird (large fowl). You can get away with a little less with bantams/small breeds, or with very large coops and #s of birds. (they tend to group/flock, leaving adequate "open" space for birds who need it.)

Since you're located down south, cold shouldn't be your major issue. Yes I know it gets cold there, but not too cold, and not for prolonged periods. Heat and humidity are going to be your biggest issue. You'll need lots of ventilation! As long as the birds are out of the wind and covered (dry) they are wearing a full time down coat... They can keep warm with no problem. You could probably build a completely open air coop (walls of hardware cloth/fencing with a good roof and wind blocking wall(s) around the roosts inside). There are thousands of coop pictures in the coop thread.

Oh, if you haven't done so already, PLEASE put at least your general location in your profile. It could be very important if/when you ask for or offer help or advice. You know, climate issues and such. Old folks like me :old will never remember & look there first. To add it, mouse hover over Account top right and a drop down will appear. Click on Personal Details and scan down. You'll see the spot for Location. Then go to the bottom and save changes. Thanks! Hope you enjoy the site!
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the info. Looks like my run may only hold 4 birds :( I may have to expand in future or allow birds out to free range under controlled conditions....????
 
Welcome to Backyardchickens.com aka BYC! :frow
:yesss:We are glad you joined our flock.
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

CURRENT COOP CONTEST click here >>#1

The 9th Annual BYC Easter Hatchalong!
 
Bob McD said:
Hello Everyone, I was at TSC the

I do have one question (actually tons, but one for now), the coop I got has 44.5 sq ft run and an elevated 19.5 sq ft coup. If I understand things correctly, then those combined give me approx 64 sq ft total. Does that mean the coop is the correct size to allow me to get 6 hens?

Thank y'all for the site and the opportunity to join:) I need to learn!!!!!!!:cool:
Click to expand...
What is the name of your coop...can you post a link to this specific one.
 

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