New Member& a question

[Lostdog]

Hi All,
I am new to the chicken world and have a question or two.
I am still designing my run and coop. Based on my recycled goods, I have planned for a triagular run that will be 10'X12'(maybe 16').I would like a mix of bantam & full size birds.How many can reasonably fit with occasion free range(amount of time ranging will be based on predator attraction).
Also my run will be about 8' tall at center and I was wondering if I put perches in the run will they use them to hang out on? Sorry if this is a dumb question.What else might they like to "play" on?
Thanks in advance,
Christina

 

[Guitartists]

Mine love to jump up on stuff in the run, so I would say, yes, perches will get used. Though, I wonder if they will be less likely to return to the coop if they can roost off the ground come nightfall

There are differing opinions on sq ft per bird...... it seems that really only you can know best based on your birds, how they get along, how they spend their time... if there's any feather plucking , fighting, etc.... stuff like that.

 

[swampducks]

I know the standards will use the perches, I don't have bantams but I assume they'll use them too. You don't want them too crowded.

Are you getting chickens for eggs, pets, eating? Sometimes it helps to know what your goals are to get better answers.

 

[Lostdog]

Thanks for your responses.I don't have my birds yet but that makes sense that their personalities may determine a lot re:space.I guess how many cockerals I end up with too.
I have planned for a smaller second location and an alternate home if anyone is non-compliant.
I plan on birds for pets and my hubby insists they earn their keep-LOL- so of course we need some eggs.I was thinking silkies and bantam cochins for pets and RIR or sex-links for eggs and maybe adding 1 more type for eggs or maybe something like a bantam orp.I am somewhat undecided.Either way I need winter-hardy birds and I hope friendly.
Also, when is it ok for my birds to go out in the snow?Is it based on temp. or how much snow? I am in upstste NY and winters can be rough but I find when its bitter cold here its too cold to snow(if that makes sense) but some winters we get a lot of snow.UGH
Thanks for any advice
Christina

 

[swampducks]

I live in northeast MI where it routinely drops below zero in winter. I am getting buckeyes because they have practically no comb and were bred in Ohio. I hope to get chanteclers next year which were bred in Canada and also have practically no comb. I don't want to have to vaseline the combs to prevent frostbite as my coop is not insulated, though it does have a heat lamp.

Other birds are also reportedly cold hardy, Plymouth barred rocks and Wyandottes for instance.

Many of the poultry houses list their birds hardiness, for instance Meyer Hatchery in Ohio lists heat/cold hardiness. (That's where I'm getting most of my birds this year.)

Please note to keep chickens laying in winter they need to have 14-15 hours of daylight so you'll have to have a white bulb on part of the night.