Newbie in central Ohio, with questions

[CopFiveO]

Good morning all!

Getting ready to order some chicks for the soon to be mother-in-law... She's been wanting chickens for years and I figured WTH, I'll make it happen. She has 5+ acres and is looking to free range as much as possible. She is probably going with Buckeyes and looking for 10 hens and a rooster. I will be constructing a coop based on the Purina plans, modified to 6' X 8', with 5 nesting boxes. I'm new to all this, although I have researched it to death. (This site is just full of useful info!) I'm debating on run size as of now...

I'm hoping that the Buckeyes will be a good dual purpose breed, they seem to be according to what I've read.

My questions are:

1. Is the coop big enough for the 11 birds? I haven't seen anyone addressing roosters in their coop design. I'm not sure if the addition of one should affect the coop size or design.

2. What size run is suitable for 10 hens and a rooster?

3. Any thoughts on Buckeyes? She's in S. Vienna, which is jsut east of Springfield. So typical west central Ohio weather.

4. Any special considerations for winterizing the coop?

Any answers or help would be greatly appreciated! Can't wait!

Sean

 

[roostersandhens]

 

[TwoCrows]

Welcome to BYC!

a 6x8 sized coop might be ok, but a bit cramped for 11 birds. You might want to go with 8 or 9 birds if they will be spending long winter days in this coop, it might be tight. It depends on a lot of factors and personalities. Each bird has its requirement for personal space and of course chickens do turn on each other when they feel crammed in. And if they are outside quite a bit. Here is an article in our learning center on space needed for chickens that you might take a look at....

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-much-room-do-chickens-need

I don't keep Buckeyes, but I think they are a beautiful bird to keep! So if you have the chance, and being a "buckeye" yourself,

you might want to consider this breed.

Insulating a coop is not necessary as chickens can tolerate brutal temps as long as they are in a draft free roosting area, the coop is dry and there is proper ventilation in the ceiling or eaves of your coop. What you are after is, low to the floor roosting in relatively quiet air, two opposing vents (1 square foot per bird) on either side of the coop ceiling or eaves, and all the moisture from the pooping and the breathing will rise up to meet this positive air flow and go out the roof. If this moisture has no where to go, it will rise, refreeze and fall back down on the birds, making them wet, cold and frost bite on combs and other areas of exposed skin. You can close some venting on windy nights to slow the air down around the roost bar and keep what heat the birds are producing, making sure it isn't sucked out of them. But you don't want this air to move too fast, and you don't want it not moving at all. It is ok if the coop is the same temp as the outside air as they can adapt to the cold and will also allow them to venture outside even on the coldest of days without too much temp change.

Good luck with your new adventure! If you have any other questions, that is what we are here for. Welcome to our flock!

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Nice of you to help your mil with getting chickens! TwoCrows gave you a great link to figuring out the space you need. X2, the coop might be a little cramped if they are going to be confined there for the winter, bigger is usually better especially with a rooster since you want to keep usually around 8-10 hens per roo. With free ranging, does she have any kind of fencing? You do want to take a look at predators in the area, racoons are a huge problem pretty much everywhere in Ohio, and you probably have fox, coyote and stray dogs also. You might consider electric fencing the perimeter to help or poultry netting.
Buckeyes are a nice breed, decent layers, pretty typical duel purpose breed, is she looking on breeding them and processing the roosters?

 

[gander007]

 

[CopFiveO]

Thanks for the welcome and the great advice!