I have a flock of 28 4.5 week old and 14 3.5 week old "chicks" (mostly pullets and for sure one cockeral and a st run of 5 so I don't know yet what they will be). I have 8 breeds (basically 5 each): Dominiques, Brahmas, Delawares, Orpingtons, Austrlorps, Araucanas, Wyandottes and Buttercups. My coop isn't ready and I I have them in a room in the house that I modified for them with lights/heat, food and water and litter. The room is 5.5'X6.5'. They are getting more and more rambunctious as each day passes.
I am worried that this space has just become too small. It wasn't but a couple of weeks ago that I moved them from the 2'X6' brooder because they outgrew it.
They are sparring and trying to fly around...I don't know if this is just normal behavior at this point, or if these are signs that they are too crowded. I have seen no injury nor any specific bird acting out much more than any other. The older ones are more pushy than the younger ones.
Am I pushing the limit of number of birds in that amount of space at this point? I still have to make nest boxes and a roost and put electricity and plumbing in the coop as well as finish some other minor details before they can be moved outside. I don't have any other place in the house that they can go.
I am afraid of that amswer, but can you tell me your thoughts? Thank you for your help.
Best wishes,
I am worried that this space has just become too small. It wasn't but a couple of weeks ago that I moved them from the 2'X6' brooder because they outgrew it.
They are sparring and trying to fly around...I don't know if this is just normal behavior at this point, or if these are signs that they are too crowded. I have seen no injury nor any specific bird acting out much more than any other. The older ones are more pushy than the younger ones.
Am I pushing the limit of number of birds in that amount of space at this point? I still have to make nest boxes and a roost and put electricity and plumbing in the coop as well as finish some other minor details before they can be moved outside. I don't have any other place in the house that they can go.
I am afraid of that amswer, but can you tell me your thoughts? Thank you for your help.
Best wishes,
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