Two coops?

[ChickenThunderdome]

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Just going to do it our own way nevermind.

 

[DobieLover]

20 chicks(5 of them bantams) 5 weeks old. Next week they will be put into their coop(s) for 2 days then released into their run. We ended up with 2 coops that each hold 12 full sized birds.

My question is do we put them in one coop for those first couple days or do we split them up into the two coops and then let them figure out who goes where days later?

Would you guys suggest sand for the flooring or should we stick with the smelly/dirty pine shavings?

Thanks in advance.

Can you post pictures of your setup(s)? I would let the chickens choose where they want to roost.
Poop boards under the roosts go a long ways toward keeping the coop litter from being smelly and dirty.
Eventually, sand will certainly be smelly and dirty as well.

 

[aart]

We ended up with 2 coops that each hold 12 full sized birds.

What does this mean in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely

Would you guys suggest sand for the flooring or should we stick with the smelly/dirty pine shavings?

What id of bedding you use depends on how you want to manage the manure.
This is about cleaning but covers my 'big picture'.
-I use poop boards under roosts with thin(<1/2") layer of sand/PDZ mix, sifted daily(takes 5-10mins) into bucket going to friends compost.

-Scrape big or wet poops off roost and ramps as needed.

-Pine shavings on coop floor, add some occasionally, totally changed out once or twice a year, old shavings added to run.

-Runs have semi-deep litter, never clean anything out, just add smaller dry materials on occasion, add larger wood chippings as needed.

-Nests are bedded with straw, add some occasionally, change out if needed(broken egg).

There is no odor, unless a fresh cecal has been dropped and when I open the bucket to add more poop.

That's how I keep it 'clean', have not found any reason to clean 'deeper' in 5 years.

 

[Doublete]

Unless my math is wrong... you only have room for 6 birds in each coop...

 

[aart]

6ft long, about 4ft deep.

Oh, dear...the manufacturer suggests 12 birds in there?
Common misconception(lie) spread by coop makers.

Actual coop portion, not including nests, is only about 4x4.
Space for 4 birds minimally...if following the 4/10 'rule of thumb'.
Any ventilation other than those 2 round vents?
Is there a way to get in there to clean and grab birds off roost for exams??