Now is the time: measure your coop, count your chickens!

[Mrs. K]

The thing is, in the summer, one can cheat on the numbers, the days are long, the nights are short, the chicks are small. But as the fall comes on, chicks in the spring become full size, while the coop remains the same size. And as the fall comes on in the northern hemisphere, the days begin to get short. By the first of November, mine will be roosting by 4:30-5:00 and not coming off the roost until 6:30 - 7:00 and as we get to the end of December they will be up there before 4:00 and not coming off until 7 :30.

The long nights of winter are not affected by a bit of free ranging in the daylight hours. Space is critical for peace in the flock. Measure it. Full size birds take a lot more space than chicks. They need enough space for the whole night.

So that brings us to the unpopular part of chicken math - the subtraction. And yet, subtraction give a lot of positives to the overall health of the flock!

• reduces the feed bill
• increases the health of the flock
  • removing old bird - that tend to start picking of diseases and parasites
  • gives the remaining birds more room
  • reduces squabble and ugly behaviors such as:
    • feather picking
    • harassing a victim bird
• reduces the manure build up in the coop
• reduces the moisture build up in the coop
  • keeps birds drier and therefor warmer.

I have two young cockerels, and an old hen. By culling them, my flock will have more than enough room for winter. I will have prevented rooster fights, and dying by disease or old age. A good life, a quick end, and a happy flock.

Mrs K

 

[BoundlessLove]

Great reminder, Mrs. K!
With winter coming, having a good look at coop and flock size and flock health is much needed.
My husband and I did this three weeks ago.
Downsized our older flock and tore down an old coop that may not have lasted another winter.
Thank you for posting.