Questions!

[nuthatched]

What about this one? https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-extra-large-sentinel-chicken-coop-mfc-ls

For that price, you can buy a shed and convert it to a nice coop. here are the numbers to consider: at least 4 sq feet per chicken in the coop and at least 8 sq feet per chicken in the run.

 

[cherrynberry]

The Usual Guidelines say that each adult, standard-sized hen needs:

4 square feet in the coop,
10 square feet in the run,
1 linear foot of roost,
1/4 of a nest box,
and 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation -- preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on their roost.

You are right at the square footage for 16 chickens in your coop but you only have enough run for 12 chickens.

Now these are *guidelines*, not hard and fast *rules* but overcrowding causes both behavioral and sanitation issues.

^ this is a good post

 

[whispurr]

Okay, so hire someone to build me one. Got it! Thank you.

 

[whispurr]

Will your chickens be free ranging? Or confined to a pen? That can also play a factor in how big your coop can be.

It will depend on the behavior of the chickens. We have neighbors with chickens and they go all over the neighborhood. We want ours to stay close to home. When I had chickens before, they didn't wander far. Maybe because we hand raised them?

 

[Brooks_]

Okay, so hire someone to build me one. Got it! Thank you.

If you have the means, but first browse here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forums/coop-run-design-construction-maintenance.9/

 

[hysop]

If you don’t want them to wander far then don’t let them free range 24/7. Instead maybe start with letting them free range for an hour before sunset and then increase it for a little with a max of half the day.

I don't let mine free range 24/7 because I never find eggs. So now I wait til around 12-1pm until about an hour before sunset. Thankfully mine answer to food so I’m able to bring them all back in.

 

[Lizzy733]

If you want a broody to hatch often, I'd recommend specifically getting a silkie or other bantam hen known for broodiness. My silkie is very regular and can make it through multiple hatches in summer. They're a bit limited on how many eggs they can set at once, but make great organic incubators I've had practically no losses when giving mine hatching eggs and she's regular enough to plan around.

Mingling different breeds is generally okay as long as their breed quirks are taken into consideration. Chickens can be racist though, and the best way around this is to have a good variety in the brooder so they grow up together accustomed to different colors, patterns and feather styles.

Meat birds aren't really around long enough, so I would recommend a second grow out pen for them since they'll probably only be outside for less than a month before they're ready for slaughter.

Roos from chicks are an interesting experience, but require early, consistent discipline to ensure they are not overly human confident or fearful. If you get an older roo, you have the benefit of not having to wait for hormones to kick in, but could end up inheriting a problem. If you want proven quality, check local breeders to see if anyone is turning over their breeding stock and looking to sell off an older roo. Will probably be much cheaper and more mellow than an upcoming cockerel.

 

[whispurr]

With further consideration, the price of lumber makes it very expensive to build anything. I think for now, a tractor supply one is going to meet our needs. We can expand later. So I have two options on my radar. I have this one: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop-2020-1168239n

or this one: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-extra-large-sentinel-chicken-coop-mfc-ls We're planning on having 4 or 5 chickens (including rooster) now but would probably expand a little if we get hatched eggs. Any pros or cons between these two?

 

[hysop]

With further consideration, the price of lumber makes it very expensive to build anything. I think for now, a tractor supply one is going to meet our needs. We can expand later. So I have two options on my radar. I have this one: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-defender-chicken-coop-2020-1168239n

or this one: https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/producers-pride-extra-large-sentinel-chicken-coop-mfc-ls We're planning on having 4 or 5 chickens (including rooster) now but would probably expand a little if we get hatched eggs. Any pros or cons between these two?

A pro for the:
Extra Large Sentinel Chicken Coop, MFC-LS
Is that it has a covered run.

 

[Mrs. K]

Really - think about stretching out your goals over some time. Nix the rooster for the first year, just get some layers up and going, and get some experience. IMO a rooster needs more space than a hen and more experience for the keeper. A lot of roosters ruin the whole chicken deal.

The second year look around for a rooster, roosters are easy to come by. Many people think that if they raise up a rooster, they will get a nice one. But roosters really do take experience, and a lot of people have raised up a horrible rooster. This forum is filled with posts where the darling becomes the nightmare. Getting a nice rooster, that is so nice it did not get culled, is a good place to start with one.

By then you will have a good understanding how many birds you need, and how many will fit into the set up and get along. Over crowded birds can get horrible habits.

Meat birds also take a bit of experience, I keep mine separate.

Thing is, there are a lot of avenues for this hobby, you have years ahead of you to try them, don't try them all at once. Work your way into it.

Mrs K