Hello hellooo hellooo echo
It got quiet in here, Hope all is well and it nothing more then the feasting and festivities keeping you busy.
This weather has me looking ahead, I plan to add some more birds and need to expand now anyway. I see some use more then one coop with large pen or free range. Weighting the options build a larger coop for all of them, or 2 smaller ones. First it easier to scrounge smaller stuff, budget the big obstetrical.
I am expanding the secure pen to 15 X 35 adding access too pasture to free range. The 4x6 raised coop is barely big enough now. If I built a one bird coop would the boys move? any way I should see what I can find for building materials, Humm how big was them pallets I saw?
Both ways have their pros and cons. With multiple pens, you have more feeding/watering stations to attend to. On the other hand, your breeds are always separated into breeding groups, and you can rotate who gets wormed when instead of having to do them all at once. I have several pens, but consolidate for the winter when the cocks are less prone to fighting. I put most of the boys into one pen, and all the girls with a couple boys for security in the biggest chicken house. That gives me only two pens during winter, when I might have to haul water from the house. I'll be splitting them back into breeding groups before winter is over, though, so it's a temporary consolidation. It does give me a much needed respite though. And the empty pens get a thorough cleaning and re-sanding while unoccupied.
If I had the land and the money...... I have my perfect set-up in my head. But I'll have to win the lottery to build it!
