number of brama's can I keep comfortable

[twisted-acres-farm]

Hello All:

Working on getting coop and run ready for getting chicks next spring. The main coop is 18 x 20 ft with a cement floor and the planned run is 185 x 110. Just wondering how many of the light brama's I can keep in relative comfort with out them destroying the run. Also what size nest boxed would you recommend for such large birds. I was think 16 inch square? thanks for all your imput. Sincerely Scott Head minion at twisted acres

 

[mljohnson05]

A general measurement is:
Coop.....Minimum of 4sq feet PER bird
Run....10sq Feet PER bird...less if they free range


so your 18x20 coop = 360 sq feet....... so Divide that by 4 and that gives you 90 full grown birds MAX!

(Me I like mine to have more room to get away do I would say 70 Max.)
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your RUN is 185x110 = 20,350sq feet .....so more than double what you will need if you kept 90 chickens....LOL
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Just keep in mind that you have to have some way to keep all the space predator Proof....that is a LOT of hardware cloth (which is not cheap) unless you plan on keeping them ALL locked up tight in the coop at night?

And.......remember to have Good ventilation too

Hope this help,

Laura

 

[DancingHen]

Quote:

 

[twisted-acres-farm]

thank you both I was thinking of about 50 to 60 hens and of course a few roo's 4 or 5 of varring ages but all the brama variety I know these are much bigger birds would i still be ok?? going to use 5 ft horse fence with either 2/4 or 2/6 bords on to and bottom. Run also contains a large number of trees because honestly I am tired of trimming and mowing around them LOL. Also think of keeping a couple of feeder goats to fatten for slaughter with them. any suggestions? I did insulate the coop and plan on a mix of straw/hay and sawdust on the floor. Also wondering if I should house wrap the coop before siding it with used steel siding from a house I am remodeling.

 

[hcppam]

BYC chickens 101 says 2-3 sq feet...but some say more, if you have the room I agree with 3-4sf or more, but I went with 2-3sf because mine have a large run and use the coop only for sleeping, and living in a cold climate, a smaller coop space during the winter will keep the chickens warmer...but again if you have that large of a coop I sure wouldn't over crowd.

 

[twisted-acres-farm]

Oh I forgot I live in North dakota temps vary from 100 above to -70 below with wind chills in winter

 

[DancingHen]

Quote:
I think 4 sq ft per bird will work great with very large birds, as it is the higher end of the spacing range suggested. Also, if you are planning on only around 60 hens with 4 or so roosters than you are giving them even more space. With the horse fence having larger holes in it I would recommend adding some type of 1" mesh along the bottom 2 or 3 feet to prevent predators such as racoons from being able to reach through the fence and grab a bird. They can take chunks off, or even kill the bird pulling it through the fence holes (gross mess!) Hardware cloth works well, or anything else atrong and rust proof with holes smaller than a racoon paw. I have no experience with keeping goats and chickens together, although it would probably be okay in such a large run. Give the goats their own little shelter within the run maybe? Housewrap may help your coop be more moisture proof, but I didn't bother with mine. Good luck.

 

[twisted-acres-farm]

I am also raising english springer spaniels who will have free range of the farm hope that will deter any coons from comming around. If Not there is always the 22 or 243 rifle.

 

[Sjisty]

Just remember Brahmas are a cold weather bird. There needs to be plenty of ventilation in the summer. They are a heavy bird and need low roosts. Jumping from too high is not good for their joints. That concrete floor will be hard - I would add several inches of shavings for cushioning. They also like large nest boxes.

 

[twisted-acres-farm]

will do that with "bedding" thanks as to nest box define Large ?? like 14 by 14 by14 or larger??