Questions about coops...

[Krispyrice1230]

I am doing my research into keeping chickens before I get started, but I have a few things I just can't wrap my mind around in terms of the coops. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

1. Chicken Tractor? How often do you move it and isn't it heavy?

2. Pop door, do you leave it open all the time, or open and close it each day?

3. If you want to let your hens raise chicks, how you plan for the space in your coop when you never know how many chicks you will have?

4. Food and water, in the coop, in the run, or both?


Thanks for the help!

 

[jtbrown]

I'm newer, but I think I can help, these were all questions I had before we decided on coop versus tractor.

the tractor could be heavy, however, must be built with idea of how you will move it, using the handles as levers and possible wheels or sleds to move it takes some of that weight away. I have seen people build simple ones to be moved by one person, others by tractors or multiple people.

Pop door should be open and closed each morning/night. Otherwise, the coop is no safer to night time predators than the entire run/tractor. Most people say they do not leave door open at night. That way the run acts as another layer that predators must get in to before getting to your chicks.

If you want hens to raise chicks many people integrate them in with flock immediately but others also put them in a smaller enclosure til chicks are older so they are safer. Sometimes separate, othertime just fenced off from rest of flock. Some people have chicks to sell or give away if they get too many.

Some people say food in coop only or run only depending on their set up easier to keep coop clean without food in it, etc. water is good in both places.

Hope that helps. Good luck.