post your chicken coop pictures here!

[Latestarter]

Just please be aware that you will have behavioral problems that will arise if that is all the space that they have for most of the day. Overcrowding can lead to all sorts of problems ranging from excessive bullying, to cannibalism. Also, overcrowded hens are stressed out hens, and as a result, will not lay very well for you.

That's a pretty all encompassing statement... also a pretty harsh condemnation. How about we step back a bit there...

From the looks of that coop/enclosure, there's a good 30-40 square feet of space which is more than adequate for 3 birds. Yes, they should each have their own acre of land to free range on, but not all can accomplish that feat. As long as they have fresh water and are fed regularly and given a few toys in there to distract them, I'm sure for the most part they'll do just fine. And the OP did say they would be allowed out to free range on occasion.

edit for spelling

 

[Spartan22]

Anyone have suggestions on where to buy 1/2 inch hardware cloth?  It seems so expensive through the main places (Lowes, Home Depot, TSC, and Menards)

I got mine from a local do it best (hardware) still up there in price but better than TSC, depot or lowes.

 

[Sylvester017]

It was interesting to read a few posts ago that Wynadottes are a dominant breed.
In my case, my 2 Wynadottes are on the bottom of the pecking order.

I know. That's why we almost got some BLRWs but Tilly's Nest had to rehome their mean SLW and then got a new batch of chicks with a GLW chick that also grew out dominant. I think the Wyans are ok in flock breeds of equal assertiveness but might ride rough-shod over timid or non-assertive breeds. Space and mixture of breeds in a yard can make a difference as well. In Tilly's case the birds were confined in a coop so gave the Wyans a bit more reason to get peckish. I have a small backyard so have every reason to keep my breeds as mellow as possible. Wyans get 50/50 reviews re temperament so we just exercised on the side of caution and didn't get any larger or dual-purpose breeds period just to be safe. Leghorns can eventually get very dominant and as much as I love them we had to rehome our 3 - just too aggressive for our mixed gentles flock.

 

[perchie.girl]

I wanna see some more coop pictures....

 

[Tomhusker]

Finished building roosts in our 10x16 coop. Ended up with 65 feet of roosting board for just under 50 chooks .
Tomorrow evening add the pop door and put hardware cloth on the windows. Need to have them into the coop this weekend as I don't think the brooder is gonna hold them much longer.

 

[Tomhusker]

Finished building roosts in our 10x16 coop. Ended up with 65 feet of roosting board for just under 50 chooks .
Tomorrow evening add the pop door and put hardware cloth on the windows. Need to have them into the coop this weekend as I don't think the brooder is gonna hold them much longer.

 

[perchie.girl]

Finished building roosts in our 10x16 coop. Ended up with 65 feet of roosting board for just under 50 chooks .
Tomorrow evening add the pop door and put hardware cloth on the windows. Need to have them into the coop this weekend as I don't think the brooder is gonna hold them much longer.

awesome.... I love it...

 

[Tomahawk]

Anyone have suggestions on where to buy 1/2 inch hardware cloth?  It seems so expensive through the main places (Lowes, Home Depot, TSC, and Menards)

Shop local and if you can't find it reasonably priced, order online.

Jmo.

 

[Spartan22]

Finished building roosts in our 10x16 coop. Ended up with 65 feet of roosting board for just under 50 chooks .
Tomorrow evening add the pop door and put hardware cloth on the windows. Need to have them into the coop this weekend as I don't think the brooder is gonna hold them much longer.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/content/type/61/id/6924725/width/350/height/700[/IMG[/QUOTE]


Very nicely done, you can fit almost 50 in there? I got 10 hens, tad smaller than yours (10x12) w/ nice run bullying is happening.

 

[Tomhusker]

Very nicely done, you can fit almost 50 in there? I got 10 hens, tad smaller than yours (10x12) w/ nice run bullying is happening.

They will have plenty of outside to use to reduce the crowding. Roughly 1600 feet of run plus three acres to free range. I don't see crowding as an issue with all the roosting space.
Even at 50 there would be over 3 Sq ft per bird. Less than the ideal 4, but not terribly crowded. And again, there is always outside. Hanging food and water will have a negligible effect.