Upcoming Coop Remodel

[astone]

Any size recommendations for a flock of 20ish chickens. Their "house" is almost 8Ft x 8Ft. They have plenty of roosting place. I'm just debating on the approximate size of a run. I can also let them free range during the nice weather. They will also be getting a sand bath area. Small blue pool with plenty of holes drilled into the bottom. It sounds like it will work anyways.

 

[StinkyAcres]

How big you make the coop and run should depend on your area. What's your climate and average temps?

 

[astone]

Yes I know this looks horrible but it is a work in progress. I have all my scraps of wood that was my walk way piled ontop.. BUT... they are upgrading from a 5x4x5 to 8ftby8ft. It does have a canopy that goes over top. The orange bottom pen will be removed and new slid into place and I can unpile everything.

 

[Tahai]

Are you adding the 8x8 to the existing run, or are you replacing the existing run with the 8x8? Are these layers you are planning to keep for several years, or are these meat birds you will be cycling through quickly? If layers, give them as much space as you can afford. Boredom and not enough space cause unhappy living conditions for layers. 8x8 for 20 hens is ~3 square feet per hen, which is not ideal. Generally plan for 3-4 sqft per hen in the coop, and 8-10sqft per hen in the run.

 

[astone]

Is replacing the old one. I didn't have materials or time before winter hit to get this done I thought hmmmn.its nice out now I can do it..nope 80 yesterday and 5inches of snow now. This is basically a rainy day hang out. Pictured Below they will have all that wonderful yard to mosey thru just as soon as the weather gets nice enough to be outside. And these chickens are fluffy pets that are spoiled beyond belief. There's also the ""old folks home""" for my older hens that in my personal opinion didn't wanna be ""cooped up"" with a bunch of toddlers.