To many for 6x8 coop?

[crealbilly]

Birds, in general, have very sensitive respiratory systems. Chickens are no exception. Cedar can cause respiratory problems in chickens. The very thing that makes it so great at repelling insects, is what can make your flock very sick.

Thank you for that info... I will keep a close eye on that. Now that we are approaching fall anyways I'll stop adding cedar into their bedding.

 

[junebuggena]

Maybe you guys can help my understand why nest boxes should be lower than roosts? My hens seem to be doing fine with the roosts and boxes at the same height.

Here are some pics from around 9:30 this morning. There is a hen in every one of the six 12x12x14 nest boxes plus one in the 24x24 turkey box. Under those hens were 12 eggs. I will get a few more this evening I hear some hens firing now even. I gather up eggs twice a day mid morning and early evening before the sun sets.

Inside coop about 9:30 AM




Outside nest box door open


7 hens sitting on 12 eggs

Chickens naturally want to roost as high as they can possibly get. They also like to have their feet completely flat. When nest boxes are the same height as the roosts, it can be very tempting for them to start sleeping in the nest boxes instead of on the roosts. Since chickens do a LOT of pooping while they sleep, the nest boxes get pretty gross, quickly. And the eggs will get laid right on top of that poop pile. And nobody wants to eat an egg that is caked to poop.

 

[crealbilly]

Chickens naturally want to roost as high as they can possibly get. They also like to have their feet completely flat. When nest boxes are the same height as the roosts, it can be very tempting for them to start sleeping in the nest boxes instead of on the roosts. Since chickens do a LOT of pooping while they sleep, the nest boxes get pretty gross, quickly. And the eggs will get laid right on top of that poop pile. And nobody wants to eat an egg that is caked to poop. 

Poop covered eggs - yep... I haven't had that problem yet. But stands to reason the way you described it (Thank you) You all have convinced me to add more roost space. I have that on my to-do list for today... as soon as the rain stops falling from the sky.

BTW you think chickens poop a lot - try turkeys - good Lord that's some BIG nasty poop.

I learned a valuable tip for getting eggs out from underneath nipping hens. Since the palm of my hands are pretty tough - I put my palm in front of their face, they can peck all they want and with my other hand I reach under the hen and get the eggs. I learned this quickly when a hen drew blood by nipping the top of my hand. Not that it hurt but they can nip the inside of my hands all they want and not break the skin.

 

[Moishe]

Poop covered eggs... happens to me sometimes. I try to keep on top of the nesting boxes, but some of the younger chickens like to sleep there.

Ugh.

 

[crealbilly]

Rain stopped so I went ahead and built 6 more foot of 1x4 roost. That gives them 16 foot. 6 foot on both the east and west sides and 4 foot on the south side. I'm not counting the corners or the 2 foot of turkey nest box. Hopefully the hens will roost on it but with my luck one of the turkeys will claim it.

I also wanted to add I found 5 more eggs in the nest boxes - so that makes another 17 egg day (17 hens - 17 eggs). I don't think you can ask for more than that. Hens are firing on all cylinders real good now

 

[crealbilly]

I checked in on the coop this evening about 9:30PM the hens are using the new roost I put in today. They are much more spread out now and seem to be more content. Thanks everyone for your advise - I really do appreciate it all.

Some more pics.

 

[beginnergirl]

The only thing I would add is that I saw you are using ceder in the nests and on the floor. Ceder is not good for their lungs. I would skip it and stick with pine shavings. Straw can bring in mites and other issues like mold with it.

21hens-in-charge,
Did not know straw could bring in mites

. Live in Pacific NW and mold not good for chickens lungs or mine. No more straw for us. It doesn't dry out the way the wood chips do.

 

[NatureChica]

I've heard from several studies in bedding that kiln dried cedar or pine is okay...I don't think using a bunch of it in a unventillated area would be safe or healthy regardless of kiln drying

 

[aart]

I checked in on the coop this evening about 9:30PM the hens are using the new roost I put in today. They are much more spread out now and seem to be more content. Thanks everyone for your advise - I really do appreciate it all.

Some more pics.

Great!...but I still cringe at how they will get down from that high with only 6 feet coop width.
Is coop longer than 6 feet the other way...maybe they will all walk over to the middle section to launch so they have some flight room?

 

[crealbilly]

Great!...but I still cringe at how they will get down from that high with only 6 feet coop width.
Is coop longer than 6 feet the other way...maybe they will all walk over to the middle section to launch so they have some flight room?

Aart - the coop itself is 6 foot by 8 foot. I've watched them jump down from the roosts, they are pretty graceful when they do. Flapping their wings for a soft landing. Bring a cinder block building my design options are fairly limited and not my "ideal" coop for sure. But its working well so far.

When they all were younger I did have a ramp from the 3 foot high 1x12 roost to the 6 foot high 1x4 roost but they decided to fly instead and stopped using the ramp, so I took the ramp out.