Underestimated the chicken addiction!!!

[21hens-incharge]

(Please excuse my very crude sketch) This is the plan we decided to go with. We have it (mostly) framed in, I'll post a picture of the finished product when its done!

Can you tell us the new coops dimensions?
I assume the structure in the drawing that is more shaded in is the new coop part.....

 

[Hep44]

Can you tell us the new coops dimensions?
I assume the structure in the drawing that is more shaded in is the new coop part.....

The entire structure is 12x12, the coop will be about 4x12

 

[Hep44]

Its actually going to be a little more space than if we just enclosed the current structure

 

[21hens-incharge]

The entire structure is 12x12, the coop will be about 4x12

That will be good for about 10-12 birds.
If my math is right that makes the run 8x12 which takes the number down a bit more to 9 with maybe squeezing in a 10th bird.

I know, I know.....the thing is.....these numbers aren't random "just cause we want" numbers though. They are what most have found to be effective to reduce fighting, stress and reduced egg production.

I reduced my flock and their space.....the space I have "should" be adequate however I am finding my lowest ranking hen trying to sleep in the run now and generally getting picked on. I reduced to 8 birds in a 7x7.5 coop with a 6x15 run. It has confirmed my strong belief that they really really do NEED that extra elbow room.

 

[jsr5]

If you cover the run to make a coop you will want to reinforce the roof for the snow load you will get. I like that idea best seems the likely least expensive easiest fastest way. IMHO I am working on coop three and have a fourth for a bachelor pad planned. LOL gots to love da maths

 

[Hep44]

That will be good for about 10-12 birds.
If my math is right that makes the run 8x12 which takes the number down a bit more to 9 with maybe squeezing in a 10th bird.

I know, I know.....the thing is.....these numbers aren't random "just cause we want" numbers though. They are what most have found to be effective to reduce fighting, stress and reduced egg production.

I reduced my flock and their space.....the space I have "should" be adequate however I am finding my lowest ranking hen trying to sleep in the run now and generally getting picked on. I reduced to 8 birds in a 7x7.5 coop with a 6x15 run. It has confirmed my strong belief that they really really do NEED that extra elbow room.

I get what you're saying and we will for sure keep that in mind (might reduce the flock at some point). They are only in the coop/run at night, the rest of the time they roam around 2+ acres, so we haven't had any issues with fighting yet.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I get what you're saying and we will for sure keep that in mind (might reduce the flock at some point). They are only in the coop/run at night, the rest of the time they roam around 2+ acres, so we haven't had any issues with fighting yet.

Things change as they mature. Just be ready.....

I know they roam now but snow is not far off.....

 

[Hep44]

Things change as they mature. Just be ready.....

I know they roam now but snow is not far off.....

Just curious...what kind of birds do you have? We have mostly cold hardy birds (because we were thinking they'd do better in the Michigan winter) but this is our first year with them, so I'm wondering how they'll react

 

[21hens-incharge]

Just curious...what kind of birds do you have? We have mostly cold hardy birds (because we were thinking they'd do better in the Michigan winter) but this is our first year with them, so I'm wondering how they'll react

I have kept many many breeds over the years. I currently have 3 cochin bantams in one coop and in the second coop there are 2 black sex links, 2 buff orpingtons, 2 starlight green layers, and 2 Prairie Blue bells. It is one of my blue bells being picked on by the starlight green layers.

I have kept Brahma, Australorp, Polish, wyandotte, Easter Eggers, Salmon Faverolle, bantam japanese black tails, barred rock, partridge rock, Speckled Sussex, silkies and more.

Normally I do not sell my birds but this year adding ducks meant downsizing the chickens. Some birds fit in my flocks well while others.....well not so much.

All my birds over the years have disliked snow.

 

[Flockincrazy]

I have kept many many breeds over the years. I currently have 3 cochin bantams in one coop and in the second coop there are 2 black sex links, 2 buff orpingtons, 2 starlight green layers, and 2 Prairie Blue bells. It is one of my blue bells being picked on by the starlight green layers.

I have kept Brahma, Australorp, Polish, wyandotte, Easter Eggers, Salmon Faverolle, bantam japanese black tails, barred rock, partridge rock, Speckled Sussex, silkies and more.

Normally I do not sell my birds but this year adding ducks meant downsizing the chickens. Some birds fit in my flocks well while others.....well not so much.

All my birds over the years have disliked snow.

Mine love the snow well most of them especially the white leghorns and black sexlinks