Q's one large to several small coops Q. ground

[cray4en]

What I have now:

one large coop about 20x30x6high feet dirt floor
one small coup about 8x8x6high feet dirt floor

What I am thinking of changing:

I want to have 4 small coups for small groups of chickens and the large pen this is to separate the chickens into groups to further my population instead of buying new chicks every year. I have mutts and just want to insure my birds are not inbreeding/line breeding so I know what birds to put in what pen.

****How many chickens can I put in a small pen without killing the grass and just being dirt? (or will they kill all the grass anyway). I was thinking 3 hens one cock.

I can no longer let my bird free range my property. My neighbor is a major issue in this.

****What can I put in the bottom of the pen instead of just being mud when it rains? It needs to be cheap. The birds have to stay in their pens 24/7. OR what type of drainage do you have or rocks or ?????????

I want to start prepping now. Any advise on pens/coops.

 

[Brookliner]

You might consider under drains in the run with a 3-4" layer of all purpose sand on top. The under drains should take care of any water and the sand is easy to take care of by raking it periodically.

 

[medic lynny]

Put a roof on it leave dirt floor but remember wire must be buried and a "L" shape. FYI one hen will make mud. Our pen 8x5x6 and we have 4 hens.