Texas

[hungnguyen]

Quote:
I have small cage of 3' x3' to house a single chicken. Then I also add some large cage of 4' x 8' (for 1 chicken or a pair) so they can run. Sorry, I cannot imagine your coop based on the description you gave. However, a. with space of 6x12, i think it is enought for 2-5 chickens, unless you don't want them to move around, flapping their wing etc. b. "more than 18" could mean 19-100 ... technically "too crowded"

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Does this sound about right?

If you only want 4-6 you really do not need a coop bigger than 6'x8' and could definitely get away with a 4'x8'. The general rule of thumb on space is about 4sqft. Per bird.

I'm trying to find someone to build a coop for me. I think I need someone to help me build a coop. Someone who will do it out of the kindness of their heart, not for profit. So far the quotes I am getting for the size coop/run I want are over $1000. That doesn't include the larger run I want to put the coop in either.

I need to win the lottery.

 

[Roosting Robin]

Quote:
I have small cage of 3' x3' to house a single chicken. Then I also add some large cage of 4' x 8' (for 1 chicken or a pair) so they can run. Sorry, I cannot imagine your coop based on the description you gave. However, a. with space of 6x12, i think it is enought for 2-5 chickens, unless you don't want them to move around, flapping their wing etc. b. "more than 18" could mean 19-100 ... technically "too crowded"

Well, 6 feet by 12 feet would be 72 square feet. BYC says every chicken would need 4 square feet. 72 divided by 4 would be 18 chickens, unless I can add more with a loft. I have a huge pen for their daytime. The coop is just for roosting, nesting and bad weather.

 

[harley1975]

I have a coop question... Coop will be 6x12 but with 10 ft ceiling. My roost bars will be 2, 3, and 4 ft off ground. If I add a 2.5 ft shelf along the 12 foot wall that is 5 ft high, will it add sufficient floor space to have more than 18 chickens?

I am not a expert on this but here is the way I understand this. If your going to free rang or have a run you can get by with 2 sq feet of floor space in this state where we don't get a lot of snow. Without having away for them to get out of the coop at all for long period of time you have to have at least 4sq ft per chicken. I myself go with the 2sq ft with a run that has 8 sq ft per chicken cause we do not get much snow or bad weather that keeps them inside for long. So with the 72sq ft you have you could run as many as 36 chickens if they ha way to get out of there. I would run 20 to 25 with a run of 300sq ft of run.

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Read this on Fresh Eggs Daily FB post today:

DID YOU KNOW---> Adding seaweed (kelp) to your chickens' feed results in more orange yolks, better overall health, reduced chance of contracting coccidiosis and works hand in hand with probiotics to boost beneficial intestinal bacteria?​

Right now over at Treats for Chickens, take 10% off their Cluck'n Sea Kelp PLUS take another 5% off using the coupon code FRESH! (sale through midnight tomorrow night and applies to ALL purchases at:
http://www.treatsforchickens.com/cluckn-sea-kelp/​

There is more here.​

The packaging so darn cute isn't it? Sounds like good stuff too.​

 

[TexasLisa]

Read this on Fresh Eggs Daily FB post today:

DID YOU KNOW---> Adding seaweed (kelp) to your chickens' feed results in more orange yolks, better overall health, reduced chance of contracting coccidiosis and works hand in hand with probiotics to boost beneficial intestinal bacteria?​

Right now over at Treats for Chickens, take 10% off their Cluck'n Sea Kelp PLUS take another 5% off using the coupon code FRESH! (sale through midnight tomorrow night and applies to ALL purchases at:
http://www.treatsforchickens.com/cluckn-sea-kelp/​

There is more here.​

The packaging so darn cute isn't it? Sounds like good stuff too.​

Ms Jellybean, have you thought about fermented feed? If you want orange yolks, healthy birds, and save on feed, this is the way to go.

Check out the forum: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

Lisa

 

[Roosting Robin]

I am not a expert on this but here is the way I understand this. If your going to free rang or have a run you can get by with 2 sq feet of floor space in this state where we don't get a lot of snow. Without having away for them to get out of the coop at all for long period of time you have to have at least 4sq ft per chicken. I myself go with the 2sq ft with a run that has 8 sq ft per chicken cause we do not get much snow or bad weather that keeps them inside for long. So with the 72sq ft you have you could run as many as 36 chickens if they ha way to get out of there. I would run 20 to 25 with a run of 300sq ft of run.

That's a relief! I was afraid I was already past my limit based on 4 sq ft per bird. Makes sense they don't need that much in milder climates with a huge yard to roam. Thanks!

 

[therarebreed]

Good morning!

It sure is windy today! At least it is going to be warm. Watch out for that cold front coming through Sunday night though. BRRRR!!!!!!

I got some dirt delivered this morning for my raised bed. I needed to raise the soil level by the house to keep the foundation put. I have some work ahead of me for the weekend. I'd like to do it now but I need to work at my job that pays the bills.....

Can you believe it is March tomorrow?

It's drizzly here, and I'm glad! We planted a lot of seeds this week and the light rain has been great for them. Thankfully my row covers are still ready for a quick cover when the cooler weather blows in.

Have fun with your weekend gardening! We put in two new raised beds last month, I'm excited to be able to expand my garden area. My kids aren't as happy to lose more play area, lol!

 

[hungnguyen]

Due to the cold, I bought this chick home and raised "her" in my garage and restroom for the last few weeks. Now she is almost 3 mos old. But so ugly that she has only a few wing feathers. I think this is a She. With the weather warming up, hopefully in the next 2-3 weeks I can return her back too the ranch. This naked condition is a trait of Vietnamese GaNoi

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Ms Jellybean, have you thought about fermented feed? If you want orange yolks, healthy birds, and save on feed, this is the way to go.

Check out the forum: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/644300/fermenting-feed-for-meat-birds

Lisa

yes, that is what I plan on doing. I have a bunch of info from Beekissed justing waiting to be used.