When to Build a New Coop?

[Chicken Boo]

Is it better to build a new coop now or wait until spring? The new coop is going to go into the same spot as the old coop so the old coop will be moved over while the new one is built resulting in 2 disruptions in the roosting/laying routines.

We have a small coop (4' x 8') that was given to us with our first 4 hens. Since then we have lost one and gained 7 for a total of 10. I would not feel comfortable adding any more hens to this situation since, if they all actually were on the floor at same time, it would be a bit crowded. Currently, they are almost never in the coop, just the 1 while she is laying (the rest have not started yet or are molting) and to roost. And they ALL want to be on the highest roost and are quite willing to push each other off to make room ignoring the 3 other lower roosts.

We are planning to build a larger coop and are hiring a professional builder/carpenter so the actual project will take much less time than if we tried to do it on our own. I would expect a week or so for the construction.

 

[patandchickens]

I'd think that since they're probably laying less now than they will be in spring (if they're typical chickens, and not given extra light), that would argue for doing the change now.

Also right now the ground may be less muddy than it will be in spring (or perhaps not - I know my parents near Philly have had a lot of rain).

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[Chicken Boo]

That was what I was thinking, Patandchicks. So far the weather is not too bad here and it would not be too horrible to do it. But you never know how the temperature will change.

I would not mind a little more input, however. I am still quite new at this.