New Member

[Enjoyhavingeggs]

Hello group I'm a happy new member I just received 2 hens 2 weeks ago. Then a week ago I bought 4 more hens approx a week ago 2 roosters made there way to my house. Not sure of the roosters or hens I have. I am getting on average 6 to 7 eggs a day. I am looking to getting a larger coop so I can get more chickens any advice should i wait because I am still new to all this. I also have 2 rabbits and 1 chihuahua dog everyone for the most part gets along but the dog is scared sometimes of the chickens.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens, the pulse beat of the chicken community. I spy two bunnies.

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Good luck with those hen's. With those rooster's around, you are going to have fertile egg's.

 

[feathermaid]

So you have 8 chickens now? I used to have a prefab coop similar to yours and I was barely comfortable housing my 3 hens in that space for a full day... I free ranged them all the time until I built a bigger one. My advice would be to downsize your flock for that coop, especially the roos. Is it legal to keep roosters in your city limits? Most towns have a limit on how many hens you can have. You may want to double check with your city first.

If you are able to keep what you have and build a bigger coop.... a minimum 4'x8' coop with at least 8'x10' run would be sufficient for 8 chickens. More birds would need a significantly larger coop. Shed conversions are a good alternative. If I were you, I'd just keep 3 or 4 hens for the first year and see how it goes.
These articles will help explain some fundamental requirements to keep your chickens healthy and safe:
How Much Room Do Chickens Need
Chicken Coop Ventilation - Go Out There And Cut More Holes In Your Coop!
Predator Proofing

Best wishes in your new chicken adventure!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Personally, I would wait a while and get some more experience under your belt before expanding. This link on space requirements is very insightful -
http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

Here are some links to key resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3
• Great resource for beginners = https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/
• Good starting point for browsing the site - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/
• Interesting feedback on how members manage their flocks -https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archives
• Excellent source of local information - Find your State's thread.

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[Shadrach]

Hello Enjoyhavingeggs.
Welcome to BYC.
You may finding building a coop gives you a better deal than buying.

 

[Melky]

You could also purchase a shed and add attached run. Sounds like farm math here. I love my eggs too. Welcome to BYC!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
If your are going to keep the number of birds you have, you absolutely need a bigger coop and you'd be best served by building it yourself. I'd re-home one of the boys, both if they are not permitted where you live.
Good luck.

 

[FarmBoy25]

Hello and Good luck with your chicken adventure!