New member Ned needs a safe coop FAST

[Jaxon64]

Hello I recently became the owner of a rescue rooster named Ned. The hubby and I are trying to build a coop as fast as possible for safety. We are unsure about how many openings and where to place them. We are going to use a shingle roof, place it under shade trees and make him a run 4’ wide x 40 feet long covered. We would likely add 3 hens once everything is complete. My coop is 4’ x 6’ We live in central illinois, today it’s 91 degrees and humid. Ned is temporarily staying in our garden during the day and in a garden shed at night, but it’s far from predator prof. Please advise if you can help. Thank you

 

[sourland]

Your coop and pen plans seem good. I would suggest hardware cloth around the coop and pen and the possibility of hot wire. About Ned - sadly it looks like he is a Cornish X rooster. As such his expected lifespan will be short. Good luck with him.

 

[Pork Pie]

Welcome to BYC - you have some great advice from @sourland already so I'll just say hello!
All the best

Pork Pie

 

[cmom]

I agree with sourland. Your male looks like a meat bird. Good luck and have fun...
http://www.poultrydvm.com/featured-infographic/tips-for-protecting-poultry-from-predators

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Poor Ned isn't going to live a normal chicken life. He does indeed look like a Cornish Cross meat bird. Given the best conditions, he may reach 12 to 18 months of age.

 

[N F C]

Hello, looks like you're off to a good start with the coop. As far as the placement of things, this is a good article that may be of help: coop-stack-up-how-high-stuff-works-well.73427

Best wishes, thanks for joining us!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[Fuchsia]

Hello
Welcome to BYC!! I’m glad you joined us!

 

[Jaxon64]

Your coop and pen plans seem good. I would suggest hardware cloth around the coop and pen and the possibility of hot wire. About Ned - sadly it looks like he is a Cornish X rooster. As such his expected lifespan will be short. Good luck with him.

Oh I didn’t know about his short lifespan.

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Poor Ned isn't going to live a normal chicken life. He does indeed look like a Cornish Cross meat bird. Given the best conditions, he may reach 12 to 18 months of age.

omg I’m devastated. So what’s going to happen? Will he just pass and I’ll find him? I hope that isn’t a stupid question I just don’t know what to exit. I was driving one day and he was in the middle of the road sitting with a chicken who had been hit by a car. The neighbor lady near the road said the owner abandoned them when he went to rehab. So I brought him home to try to give him a good life. So now what. He’s 16 pounds so he’s probably getting close ? Any information is helpful so I can prepare myself.

 

[DobieLover]

Oh I didn’t know about his short lifespan.

omg I’m devastated. So what’s going to happen? Will he just pass and I’ll find him? I hope that isn’t a stupid question I just don’t know what to exit. I was driving one day and he was in the middle of the road sitting with a chicken who had been hit by a car. The neighbor lady near the road said the owner abandoned them when he went to rehab. So I brought him home to try to give him a good life. So now what. He’s 16 pounds so he’s probably getting close ? Any information is helpful so I can prepare myself.

He's huge. His legs will not be able to support him and his heart is likely to give out. I'm so very sorry. I understand these guys can be quite endearing.
The key to keeping them alive longer than the 8-12 weeks they were engineered to live is to limit food and maximize exercise.
Unfortunately, at his large size, it's a bit late.
I know you will think this is a cruel suggestion but I would find someone that could humanely process him.
I do encourage you to move forward with getting a small layer flock in his honor.