Two Coops in a Run

[BonNuit]

I raised 15 chicks -- half of which were supposed to go to my uncle once they were "started pullet age" (about 12 to 15 weeks). I had bought a coop advertised big enough for 8 hens (really about 6). Realized that it was a little small, thus bought another coop big enough for 10 to 12 chickens (really about 8 to 10).

Long story short, our uncle crapped out on us, and I now have 14 hens and a roo. They are 17 weeks old -- two of them are currently laying. No issues.

Love them all -- and I am currently housing them all in our run that holds our larger coop inside. They all happily go into the coop every night. Still, I am pretty sure that coop is too small for the long haul. I have already invested over $700 bucks in coops. I can't afford to put any more money out -- so I am thinking of using both coops in the run to give them all plenty of space to roost at night. Unfortunately, they cannot be put together or attached, as they are made of recycled plastic-wood polymer composite materials.

My husband is against this idea - he says that our chickens will be best all together in the winter for warmth, and the chickens in the smaller coop will have a severe disadvantage -- if it even gets used at all. He thinks we should use the smaller coop to put the food and heated water in the winter to protect from the snow and elements ... as they are used to their coop even if it is a bit on the small side, and none of them are going to start using the smaller coop, even if we offer it now. Is he right about that?

I think we should put both coops up on cement blocks, two high, to give added space underneath each (to give more floor area -- to put food and water in the winter in a covered space in the run) -- and that both would get used. Am I wrong? Would they all just continue using the one coop?

 

[Buckeye Amy]

Hello from a fellow Buckeye! Can you post photos of your coops so we can get a better idea of what you are dealing with?

 

[BonNuit]

Hello from a fellow Buckeye! Can you post photos of your coops so we can get a better idea of what you are dealing with?

Sure -- these are stock photos first -- the large one 59.4" x 46.3" x 40.6", then the small one 52.4 x 29.4 x 29.1 inches, -- the other pictures are the modifications I made --- roosting bars and door locks. Edited to add: if it matters -- the run consists of a 14x20 chainlink run that is lined, aproned, and covered with hardware cloth. There are also motion-activated lights, multiple levels, roosts, a ladder and stumps to climb. I also have a huge chicken tractor to move around the yard that abuts 600 acres of maple forest behind us (which is why I can't let them free range) -- but we have neighbors in front and on the side.

 

[mowin]

First issue I see is no ventilation. Moisture has to escape the coop. 2nd issue is those two coops a too small for 17 chickens.
The large run and tractor helps, but during very bad/extreme cold/wind, weather they might not want to come outside.

 

[BonNuit]

First issue I see is no ventilation. Moisture has to escape the coop. 2nd issue is those two coops a too small for 17 chickens.
The large run and tractor helps, but during very bad/extreme cold/wind, weather they might not want to come outside.

You can't see, but I added ventilation -- when I added the perches. There is hardware cloth at the top under the roof awnings. There are 15 chickens total. The run is covered -- 280 square feet (18 ft each) -- do you think it still will not work using both coops?

 

[mowin]

Do those dimensions include the outside nest box?

General rule of thumb is 4sqf per bird in the coop. However, a large run and warmer climate less sqft may work. As mentioned, on really nasty days they might not want to come out of the coop, and there's where overcrowding becomes a issue.
Never had two coops in one run, so not sure if some would choose the other or not. Chickens are very social critters, and tend to stick with each other.

 

[aart]

Long story short, our uncle crapped out on us, and I now have 14 hens and a roo

Should be easy to sell the extras.

he says that our chickens will be best all together in the winter for warmth

Fallacy.
Chicken need lots of space and ventilation to allow moist ammonia laden air to escape the coop. Their feathers are what keep them 'warm'.

 

[TexasWineGuy]

Agree that ventilation is not enough. You need at least 3 sided ventilation on the coop.

You can certainly use both coops attached to the run, but I'm betting they will choose a coop to actually roost in at night, all together. The other one, if not chosen, use for food and water! Win-win.

TWG

 

[BonNuit]

Agree that ventilation is not enough. You need at least 3 sided ventilation on the coop.

You can certainly use both coops attached to the run, but I'm betting they will choose a coop to actually roost in at night, all together. The other one, if not chosen, use for food and water! Win-win.

TWG

 

[BonNuit]

For everyone posting about the ventilation -- yes, as they were, there was not enough ventilation. I did respond to the first post about that concern, but responses are easily missed.

One of the first things I did was to add ventilation to the top of the coops by cutting openings -- directly underneath both of the awnings -- that are covered by 1/4 inch hardware cloth. There is ventilation on three sides at the top of the coops -- as well as the slits that were already there.

Additionally, I covered the slatted bottom with hardware cloth, as well, as there were openings in the corners to allow for draining -- I supposed if one was to hose it it out.

Additionally, I added 2x4 roosting bars that are higher than the nesting boxes. The ones that came in the coop were too small and too low to be functional.

I also added hasp closures that are secured by climbing-level carabiner clips on the doors and nesting boxes, that are secured by hitting a wood block inside for further security. The run is also secured by hardware cloth (1/2 inch) over chainlink, even over the top. They have an additional 150 ft moving tractor as well.

I also plan to raise the coop (or coops) up off the ground on a platform to further increase their square footage, and to provide more coverage for their food and water as the weather changes.

My question is whether chickens that are used to being together, who coop together willingly and happily will even USE two separate coops -- or if I am wasting my time even trying to do that? I completely get that the coop I have is too small, I am simply trying to see if using the two is a viable remedy for the time being.