Hey Folks,
I have recently offered to rescue 2 leghorn hens that are being evicted from their city home. I am looking for suggestions as to how to integrate them into my current flock (of 3.5-- one is a feisty bantam) and how to make them comfortable in a space that was previously tailored for the others.
I'm not worried about them having enough space in the run or yard....they have PLENTY of yard space.... my concern is the coop-- which was built for only 4 full size hens.
Do you have any suggestions for how to expand coop space or make it healthier for more hens? It is currently 3ft X 4 ft and raised 2 ft off the ground. We consider the coop something of a masterpiece-- starting over is not an option, and we'd prefer to not alter the structure too dramatically.
Here's a post that includes picture of the coop and run. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=232466
We have since created a large pen in addition to the run, and more often then not simply let the hens free range in our spacious backyard that is surrounded by fencing on all sides.
--Would raising the roof a bit and adding more ventilation and roost space make it adequate?
--Would moving the nesting boxes to the exterior help provide more square footage?
--What would happen if we built a second mini-coop for the two leghorns to roost in? Is it too much to hope that part of a flock would roost separately?
The rescue hens are in good health, about the same size as my current hens (accept for the bantam, who is a feisty one). I will of course isolate and monitor them prior to dumping them in the same coop.
Thanks for your help!
I have recently offered to rescue 2 leghorn hens that are being evicted from their city home. I am looking for suggestions as to how to integrate them into my current flock (of 3.5-- one is a feisty bantam) and how to make them comfortable in a space that was previously tailored for the others.
I'm not worried about them having enough space in the run or yard....they have PLENTY of yard space.... my concern is the coop-- which was built for only 4 full size hens.
Do you have any suggestions for how to expand coop space or make it healthier for more hens? It is currently 3ft X 4 ft and raised 2 ft off the ground. We consider the coop something of a masterpiece-- starting over is not an option, and we'd prefer to not alter the structure too dramatically.
Here's a post that includes picture of the coop and run. https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=232466
We have since created a large pen in addition to the run, and more often then not simply let the hens free range in our spacious backyard that is surrounded by fencing on all sides.
--Would raising the roof a bit and adding more ventilation and roost space make it adequate?
--Would moving the nesting boxes to the exterior help provide more square footage?
--What would happen if we built a second mini-coop for the two leghorns to roost in? Is it too much to hope that part of a flock would roost separately?
The rescue hens are in good health, about the same size as my current hens (accept for the bantam, who is a feisty one). I will of course isolate and monitor them prior to dumping them in the same coop.
Thanks for your help!