Tractor/trailer coop build

[BayBuzzard]

72 sq ft isn’t much run room for 8 birds. The standard guidance is minimally 10 sq ft/bird, preferably closer to 15 sq ft.

If you can’t expand right away, you should try adding a bit of vertical space: tree branches several feet high, overturned buckets to hop on and off of, etc. You might also add some little hiding places where they can get away from one another on rough days. Think five kids packed in the back of a 1970’s station wagon with bad a/c, heading out on a loooong car trip.

How old are your chickens? Are they new to one another?

The chicks are almost 12 weeks old and seem very happy with each other.

Tree branches are def in the offing, good idea.

The entire run is 25 x 25’, the 12 x 6 is the most secure area right now now. Will secure the rest over the next few days.

 

[BayBuzzard]

They will love it! Ladder is secured so it won’t fall over? They may get confused as to how to get back in at night…I would be around to assist if they can’t find the door/ramp/whatever access there is to the coop. There’s always one that can’t figure it out!

Thank you, how long can I leave them in the run today supervised?

 

[Mother of Chaos]

The chicks are almost 12 weeks old and seem very happy with each other.

Tree branches are def in the offing, good idea.

The entire run is 25 x 25’, the 12 x 6 is the most secure area right now now. Will secure the rest over the next few days.

Oh, well that sounds like paradise, then!

 

[BayBuzzard]

Oh, well that sounds like paradise, then!

My biggest concern today is how long in the run. Gonna be 88 f and sunny today.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

My biggest concern today is how long in the run. Gonna be 88 f and sunny today.

Will you be around, as in at home? Make sure there’s some good shade and plenty of water. Watch for panting.

So potentially they could be out all day, or maybe they’ll feel overwhelmed and want to go back in for a bit, and then had back out again later. If you’ll be around, I’d suggest just following their cues.

 

[BayBuzzard]

Will you be around, as in at home? Make sure there’s some good shade and plenty of water. Watch for panting.

So potentially they could be out all day, or maybe they’ll feel overwhelmed and want to go back in for a bit, and then had back out again later. If you’ll be around, I’d suggest just following their cues.

Thanks alot, considering how warm it will be, we will have someone sitting with them, and take their cues like you mentioned.

 

[Iluveggers]

The chicks are almost 12 weeks old and seem very happy with each other.

Tree branches are def in the offing, good idea.

The entire run is 25 x 25’, the 12 x 6 is the most secure area right now now. Will secure the rest over the next few days.

I think its great how you started them with a small run to get used to, and can expand it as they get used to the space!

We started with a regular roofed run, expanded out 3 times with additional areas/spacing that can be closed off for chicks/broodies/isolation/garden etc, and have now gotten to the point that I let the flock out most every night for an hour or two to free range the property before it gets dark! I enjoy sipping tea or lemonade, and relaxing in the woods while then roam around...and occasionally one of them cant find their way back around the garden to the coop entrance lol. The oldest members are 3 but this ranging is new to them!

Yours will definitely enjoy the new bigger space. If it gets super hot and they need shade, throwing a towel over part of the side with clothespins can add an area for them to shade up in.

 

[BayBuzzard]

I think its great how you started them with a small run to get used to, and can expand it as they get used to the space!

We started with a regular roofed run, expanded out 3 times with additional areas/spacing that can be closed off for chicks/broodies/isolation/garden etc, and have now gotten to the point that I let the flock out most every night for an hour or two to free range the property before it gets dark! I enjoy sipping tea or lemonade, and relaxing in the woods while then roam around...and occasionally one of them cant find their way back around the garden to the coop entrance lol. The oldest members are 3 but this ranging is new to them!

Yours will definitely enjoy the new bigger space. If it gets super hot and they need shade, throwing a towel over part of the side with clothespins can add an area for them to shade up in.

It is very hot, so I have 4' shade cloth to go around entire run, except the north side which gets least sun and lets me see in easily.

Chicks needed to be put back in, they never left the ramp, and one of them looked overheated, so in they went. They look good right now, a little panting from two birds, but it will start to cool off now.

Gonna get them out a little earlier tomorrow when it is cooler. Will do pics tom too,

Thanks for checking in on my new pets.

 

[Mother of Chaos]

It is very hot, so I have 4' shade cloth to go around entire run, except the north side which gets least sun and lets me see in easily.

Chicks needed to be put back in, they never left the ramp, and one of them looked overheated, so in they went. They look good right now, a little panting from two birds, but it will start to cool off now.

Gonna get them out a little earlier tomorrow when it is cooler. Will do pics tom too,

Thanks for checking in on my new pets.

Mine go out into the yard (if we’re around) from about 8-11 am and then again from about 4-7 pm. Siesta time mid-day in the mostly-covered run whether they agree or not.

 

[BayBuzzard]

Second day open door