Ok so I got addicted....

[FlyingtheCoop]

So I got a coop that is an ark style 8 square feet on top with 16 square feet below. I have four chickens now that do well, but there's a new girl I REALLY want, no need. Now, they only go in the coop when they decide to go to bed and they are let out at 7:00 AM each morning. They spend the entire day ranging an approximately 1700 square foot fenced yard. Will they be ok???

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

Just one more shouldnt hurt

Just make sure there is lots of ventilation and that they are out a good chunk of the day

And then they should be fine...

 

[MamaChic21]

depending where you live, do you have predators ? Hawks, vultures and other predators can come in during the day. Do you have a dog in your backyard ? I'm for free ranging but I say be careful and get to know what kind of predators you have. Good luck.

 

[gsim]

At some point you will have a loss due to a predator. Not IF, but WHEN. That is just how it is for free-rangers. In fact you can have losses inside of a run as well. I have a a1900 sq ft run and have had two losses to hawks. No land predators have ever gotten in to it tho. It helps to have a few places for them to duck under to avoid being snatched by a hawk or owl. Being that you are free ranging a lot, you will have no trouble with an added bird. One thing that helps a lot in keeping fighting and also pooping to a minimum is to have a covered outdoor roost for them to sit on when it is raining. I have one and it is THE rainy-day hangout for my chooks. Saves me a ton of work and keeps my coop to where I only have to clean it once a year. It is never stinky either because I have 24" deep poop boards that are scraped daily.

Gerry

 

[HEChicken]

I would really hesitate to add just one new girl to an established flock. She will be picked on by the others and may never be fully accepted. I would add her with a second so that she will have a buddy.

 

[gsim]

Quote:
Forgot to add that you should quarantine her for awhile. By the way, you are now aware of what the term 'chicken math' means!

Gerry

 

[abChicken]

I agree with gsim