Overcrowded chickens.

[Fess]

Hey guys and gals,
I have a slight problem. I have 2 chicken pens. One is 4x4 coop with a 4x8 run. The other is a 4x6 coop with a 6x8 run. I have 4 hens in one and 4 in the other.
I have been offered a deal on some pullets that have just started laying at $2.50 a piece. There is 6 total.
I am planning to build a big nice coop and run within the next month or so. Maybe sooner.
My question is will it be ok too over crowd my pens for a few weeks or so until my big coop is done?
Thank you.

 

[featheredplanets]

I would not recommend it, you’re at you’re complete max, intergration will likely take a few weeks anyway. It’s recommended chickens have at least 4sqft per in the coop, and 10sqf per in the run. Sounds like for your first one you have 4sqft per hen in the coop and 8sqft per in the run. Your other coop and run is okay, you’re just over the recommended sizes. Just my opinions, I’m not an ‘expert’ by any means.

 

[sourland]

It's a bit of a risk as there will be pecking order shuffling to begin with and then boredom pecking from overcrowding.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Hey guys and gals,
I have a slight problem. I have 2 chicken pens. One is 4x4 coop with a 4x8 run. The other is a 4x6 coop with a 6x8 run. I have 4 hens in one and 4 in the other.
I have been offered a deal on some pullets that have just started laying at $2.50 a piece. There is 6 total.
I am planning to build a big nice coop and run within the next month or so. Maybe sooner.
My question is will it be ok too over crowd my pens for a few weeks or so until my big coop is done?
Thank you.

 

[Fess]

Thanks guys. I wish i had somewhere to house them for a bit. I hate to pass up a deal like that.

 

[Folly's place]

Other deals will turn up, and it won't be a 'deal' if they are overcrowded and miserable.
Mary

 

[chickens really]

This is my wise Husbands favourite saying ..What came first? The chicken or the egg?..He always says the Coop...lol