Roosting in the run instead of roosting in the coop

[GnarBite]

the coop is New Age Pet ECOFLEX Jumbo Fontana Chicken Barn, 4 to 6 Chicken Capacity. The idea of the coop was to be temporary so I can just get started with my first flock then build a nice one. Do you think it will be fine for the winter until I can make one? I let them free range when I’m home so they get 6+ hours a day. Weekends all day. What do you think?

 

[KyCoop]

Is it hot right now where you are? I would guess it's too hot and cramped in that box. The run as more air movement and space to spread out.

 

[aart]

Do you think it will be fine for the winter until I can make one? I let them free range when I’m home so they get 6+ hours a day. Weekends all day. What do you think?

Free ranging does not make up for a cramped coop with no viable ventilation.
Especially in winter when they may be forced to shelter there for longer than overnight.

I would suggest putting up some solid walls around coop and 6-8' down each side wall of run from there.

 

[Sefirothe]

I had the same coop as a temporary grow out coop. The chickens once mostly full grown refused to roost inside and instead slept on the roof. Even in the middle of winter.

The roosts bars in this coop are too small, too short and to low for most adult chickens.

Shortly after this pic was taken these girls moved into the shed we converted to a chicken coop and they are happily roosting inside where they are supposed to.

 

[GnarBite]

I plan on covering the run with greenhouse plastic. I designed it to have ventilation across the top. I won’t cover that.

Their behavior of staying in the run seems to be random and didn’t coincide with hot days. Which is why I thought they get stuck. Maybe I can upgrade the bars which may help.

All great info provided. They will be getting an upgraded coop.

 

[Mrs. K]

Love your run, an am glad that you have the roosts in it. When they are roosted up at night, measure how much space they are taking up, and add 3 feet to that. That would be a good measurement to know.

Keep that little coop - always handy to have an extra space once in a while. But if you can go with a shed, I would do so. Often times you can get a used one. Even if it looks rough, a lick of paint will help and chickens are not picky IF they have space. In Maine - I would expect snow, maybe heavy snow? You really need a building like a shed.

Another piece of advice for the run, IMO you need clutter in there. Right now, every chicken can see every other chicken 100% of time. There is no way to get out of sight. Pallets up on blocks, leaned against a wall, set up as a mini wall, can offer shade, a place to put a hidden feed bowl, and a way to get out of sight for a while. Good things to have in a run. A tote on the side or an open box can offer a place to get out of the wind. It really does not have to be the whole run.

The thing about 'free ranging' is that it is nice for chickens, I like to let my own out and about too. But it cannot make up for too small of a coop or run. They are not like dogs, where a little exercise, and they are content to nap. What one really needs is a space that will safely and happily keep chickens 24/7.

One needs adequate space for 3 reasons. The day length in the winters decreases dramatically, keeping your chickens roosted up for 15-16 hours a night. Ugly behaviors can start with overcrowding there. The weather - blizzard and they really won't spend much time outside. And predators - and once predators find you, they will be back and bring friends. When I get hit with a predator, I go into solid lockdown 24/7 for several weeks, so that the predator moves on.

I was afraid you had the pre-fab when you said they would not roost in it and your had 6 birds. Really - we as a community need to make them change that on all pre-fab coops.

Mrs K

 

[GnarBite]

Another piece of advice for the run, IMO you need clutter in there. Right now, every chicken can see every other chicken 100% of time. There is no way to get out of sight. Pallets up on blocks, leaned against a wall, set up as a mini wall, can offer shade, a place to put a hidden feed bowl, and a way to get out of sight for a while. Good things to have in a run. A tote on the side or an open box can offer a place to get out of the wind. It really does not have to be the whole run.


I was afraid you had the pre-fab when you said they would not roost in it and your had 6 birds. Really - we as a community need to make them change that on all pre-fab coops.

Mrs K

Thanks for the advice. I made a tunnel for them with some wire fencing and pine branches. I was going to make a new one. Something more sturdy.

Well for now I have this little coop. I definitely will make a new coop or find a used small shed. They still go in there so hopefully I can make it nicer in there with better roosting bars.

 

[Mrs. K]

For now, you are probably ok, but December is coming.

 

[Bawkbok]

6 adult birds need about 4 feet sq per bird, so you are talking about a building that is 4 ft x 6 = 24 sq feet. I am so hoping you are not dealing with a pre-fab coop, which states that they can hold 6 adult birds, and in reality, they can't.

They really hold about 2-3 birds. 4 maybe if bantam breeds.

They are basically false advertising.

So now I'm worried this prefab thing isn't enough space for our three hens - a 7 month old Golden Comet, a 4 month old Australorp and a 4 month old Orpington. As full adults, will this be enough space or should I seriously consider having someone build a coop or buy a different (larger) prefab? All are out of budget right now but I am worried they won't have enough space as adults. We are limiting ourselves to these three birds due to the space limitations. What are your thoughts?
Run is 9x12 and coop with small run is 27 sq feet (9x3). Advertised to hold 6-10 birds. There is no way in (you know where) this could happen.
I'm also concerned they are not getting enough sun. The roof is fully tarped, the south side is partially tarped, which I remove sometimes so they get morning sun. In the heat of the day they have a full sun spot to sand bathe, but no one seems to lay there anyway. Feedback? Input? Thanks

 

[Mrs. K]

A lot depends where you are. What your climate is like. I think 3 would be fine in that set up. Do not add more.