questions on 2 coops with a shared run

[junior67]

I have a coop and run already done but want to expand this year. I can get a free coop (need to take a section of my fence for my yard down to get it in my yard). I would like to expand my run and put the new coop on that expanded side so essentially I would have 2 coops and 1 big run....... Right now my coop/run is a straight line. I would build off of the end of the run but out so it makes an L shape (with old coop at the top of the long side of the L) then put the new coop on the bottom of the shorter L side if that makes sense).

My question is should I take the babies and lock them in the new coop once I get that and have it set up?....I have 21 in my flock now. I am going to be brooding babies in the coop that I have now in the next few weeks so they are going to learn that coop as well since I won't have the new coop before then......... Should I take the babies and lock them in the new coop once I get that and have it set up? I normally open the brooder door around weeks 4-6 and start integrating with the bigger ones at that time but they will still sleep in the brooder for a few weeks after that so most likely have till sometime in May before they are roosting.

or do I just leave them and let them figure out the new coop and how they want to divide up? Should I take a mix of both younger and older and lock them in the new coop for a bit?

 

[perkolator]

How big is your setup? I'd imagine fairly large if you have 21 now and are adding more, yeah?

I've contemplated doing a similar thing, as we have a 2nd small coop laying around and not being used. Last year I just used the main coop space as a brooder for chicks since none of the adults even use it (mine prefer to sleep in the secure run year-round, where they have a view of the sunset, lol)

I was planning to just connect small coop on exterior of run, in the corner likely so I can put in a divider fence with small openings at the bottom to give them their own triangle-shaped run to get away from adults if needed. Eventually I'd just let them integrate themselves into the older flock for sleeping and once they're to a certain size, anyone still wanting to stay in the brooder gets evicted and the small coop blocked from access.

 

[junior67]

How big is your setup? I'd imagine fairly large if you have 21 now and are adding more, yeah?

I've contemplated doing a similar thing, as we have a 2nd small coop laying around and not being used. Last year I just used the main coop space as a brooder for chicks since none of the adults even use it (mine prefer to sleep in the secure run year-round, where they have a view of the sunset, lol)

I was planning to just connect small coop on exterior of run, in the corner likely so I can put in a divider fence with small openings at the bottom to give them their own triangle-shaped run to get away from adults if needed. Eventually I'd just let them integrate themselves into the older flock for sleeping and once they're to a certain size, anyone still wanting to stay in the brooder gets evicted and the small coop blocked from access.

It isn't big enough right now but they are all doing good together. But adding more I definitely need another coop and either way I want to expand my run to give them more space. Depending on when I get it done I can move brooder to new coop and put a temp hidey hole between the runs. I normally give the chicks a way to run back in the brooder that the bigs can't get in and hiding spots in the run that works well. By the time they are about 2 mo they are fully integrated with the flock

 

[Ridgerunner]

Right now my coop/run is a straight line. I would build off of the end of the run but out so it makes an L shape (with old coop at the top of the long side of the L) then put the new coop on the bottom of the shorter L side if that makes sense).

Straight or ell-shaped, I don't see that it matters. Whatever fits your space.

I'd put a human door between the two runs so you can leave it open and give them access to all of it when appropriate but can close it off and keep two groups separate if you want to. There will be times you want to go between the runs.

My question is should I take the babies and lock them in the new coop once I get that and have it set up?

I was trying to figure out what you were hoping to accomplish. I think you are wanting them to sleep in both coops instead of just one. I don't know about relative sizes or total numbers. You can try to just let them go and see what happens but I think you will need to train some to sleep in the new coop. I can't think of any better way than to lock the new group in there for a while. That sounds like it may not be enough. If you can wait I'd want them all integrated before I tried moving more over there.

The way I'd try that would be to wait until they all go to bed and move the same ones every night to the new coop until they got the message.

There have been recent threads on this topic. Sometimes you can train them to sleep where you want them to. Sometimes they all want to crowd into the same coop. Some might switch but not all. They will have the freedom to do what they want if they all range together and decide where they will sleep at night. You can influence them and try to train them but they are going to have the final say.

 

[junior67]

Straight or ell-shaped, I don't see that it matters. Whatever fits your space.

I'd put a human door between the two runs so you can leave it open and give them access to all of it when appropriate but can close it off and keep two groups separate if you want to. There will be times you want to go between the runs.


I was trying to figure out what you were hoping to accomplish. I think you are wanting them to sleep in both coops instead of just one. I don't know about relative sizes or total numbers. You can try to just let them go and see what happens but I think you will need to train some to sleep in the new coop. I can't think of any better way than to lock the new group in there for a while. That sounds like it may not be enough. If you can wait I'd want them all integrated before I tried moving more over there.

The way I'd try that would be to wait until they all go to bed and move the same ones every night to the new coop until they got the message.

There have been recent threads on this topic. Sometimes you can train them to sleep where you want them to. Sometimes they all want to crowd into the same coop. Some might switch but not all. They will have the freedom to do what they want if they all range together and decide where they will sleep at night. You can influence them and try to train them but they are going to have the final say.

Thanks. I just didn't want them crowded and have issues because of over crowding so want them to have an option to spread out. Wasn't sure if better to let them decide if they were too crowded or better for me to try to separate them. But you answered that for me.

 

[junior67]

Figured I would update with some pictures. Adding on an 18 x 6 run and a 6x6 coop. I will leave the HWC and door between the runs. Most of the time the door will be open so they have use of the whole thing, but I will have the ability to close the door and have 2 separate setups where they can see each other.

 

[GCrumb]

I have been pretty entertained with my two coops one run set up. Mostly by making up wild stories about the whys of their choices about who to bunk with.

I had three hens and a rooster, and bought four hens. I didn't intergate them, I just brought them home earlyish and let them out in the run on a day when we'd be around outside. For a month or two they kept in two separate groups and separate houses, but they all roost together now most of the time.

 

[junior67]

I have been pretty entertained with my two coops one run set up. Mostly by making up wild stories about the whys of their choices about who to bunk with.

I had three hens and a rooster, and bought four hens. I didn't intergate them, I just brought them home earlyish and let them out in the run on a day when we'd be around outside. For a month or two they kept in two separate groups and separate houses, but they all roost together now most of the time.

Will be interesting to see what mine do

 

[GCrumb]

Even if yours are like mine and end up barely using one, the experts who design zoo enclosures and such would say it's an enriched enclosure in offering more choices.

 

[junior67]

Run door is done. Saw this idea on Facebook. The bottom opens as well but easier to get in without having to worry about chickens excaping.