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Tractor Design and Size Question

Discussion in 'Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance' started by volleypc, Aug 7, 2010.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Aug 7, 2010 #1
    volleypc

    volleypc In the Brooder

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    Jul 25, 2010
    I understand 4 feet per bird, for the entire coop, but I am working on the house design and want to make sure I allow enough room for it. If I put 10 birds in a tractor how large does the roosting area need to be? How many nest boxes?
     
  2. Aug 7, 2010 #2
    drunkdog

    drunkdog Songster

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    May 15, 2010
    Everett
    i have read that hens share nesting boxes and that 1box per 3 or 4 birds is good(we have 10hens and 4 boxes)....4ft per bird is floor space the roosts dont count in that equation as they are normally elevated off the floor but 2 6ft roosts work for our birds (coop is 6by10 with 10by12run)...hope that helps some
     
  3. Aug 7, 2010 #3
    abooth

    abooth Songster

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    roost space=18 inches per bird
     
  4. Aug 7, 2010 #4
    patandchickens

    patandchickens Flock Mistress

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    Quote:It is a matter of personal conscience.

    If you want to push your luck and see how much you can get away with without overt catastrophes like cannibalism, then go for it. Factory-farmed chickens live with like 1-2 sq ft per chicken; you need at least 8" of linear roost space per chicken; and it usually works well to have 1 nestbox per 3-4 chickens.

    If you wnat the chickens to have really good quality of life, you can't really *build* a tractor for 10 chickens unless you have a (real!) tractor to PULL it with or unless the tractor is just a nighttime roosting-box and they're free ranging all day every day.

    Or wherever in between you feel okay with.

    Good luck, have fun,

    Pat
     

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