A mistake folks typically make after they purchase or construct their first hen coop is making the coop too small. Almost everybody says they need that they had an even bigger coop. Listed here are 9 causes it’s possible you’ll want an even bigger hen coop:
Chicks Develop
Fluffy little chicks are extremely cute. However they develop actually quick. As they get larger, they want progressively extra room. A full grown bantam wants not less than 2 sq. ft of dwelling area. A mature gentle breed, comparable to Spitzhauben, wants 3 sq. ft. A mature heavy breed, comparable to Jersey Big, wants 4 sq. ft.
Chickens Crave Selection
A coop must be sufficiently big to accommodate adequate selection to maintain your chickens from losing interest. It must also have locations the place the lowest-ranking birds can get away from these of upper rank. Loads of area is particularly important in a local weather the place chickens might spend further time indoors due to uncomfortable chilly wind or rain.
Hens Get Previous
As hens age they steadily lay fewer eggs every year. Though a wholesome hen might lay for a decade or extra, manufacturing peaks within the first yr. By the tenth yr you may count on solely about one-tenth the variety of eggs laid through the first yr. Sooner or later it’s possible you’ll want to purchase extra hens to spice up egg manufacturing. And if you’re like many hen keepers, you’ll wish to maintain the one that you love older hens, even when they aren’t laying effectively. Which means you’ll want an even bigger hen coop.
Hen Math
“Hen math is actual,” is one other means of claiming that after you begin with chickens you’ll have a tough time resisting the need so as to add extra. Perhaps your hens hatch out chicks you resolve to maintain. Or perhaps you’ll need a higher number of breeds, or extra selection in eggshell colours. No matter your cause, having extra chickens means needing an even bigger coop.
Crowding Results in Issues
Crowding too might chickens into too small a coop results in behavioral issues and sickness. Behavioral issues embrace preventing, feather choosing, and cannibalism. Sicknesses can observe an extreme build-up of droppings and the accompanying enhance in moisture and ammonia fumes within the air. Cramming in additional chickens than a coop is designed for invariably results in issues. Therefore the necessity for an even bigger coop.
Integrating Chickens
When you begin including extra birds to your unique flock, you’ll must combine the brand new chickens. One of the best ways to introduce new chickens is to quickly home them individually from the prevailing flock, however close to sufficient that they will see and listen to one another. Each teams then have time to get used to one another from behind a protected barrier. And the best means to do this is to have a coop that’s giant sufficient to partition.
Separating Bullies
For those who maintain roosters, a time might come after they begin preventing. Or maybe your flock consists of a mixture of each timid breeds and aggressive breeds. Until you’re keen to surrender one or the opposite, it’s possible you’ll must separate them. Being able to partition the coop, as you’ll if buying new chickens, will maintain peace among the many chickens and provide you with peace of thoughts.
Feed and Water
Whether or not you present feed and water inside or exterior the coop is a matter of alternative. However even if you happen to intend to feed and water your flock open air, it’s possible you’ll discover important causes to maneuver feeders and drinkers indoors. In that case, your coop must be giant sufficient to accommodate them whereas giving the chickens sufficient area to navigate round them.
House for Storage
Though not completely important, having area in or connected to the coop for storing feed, provides, and cleansing instruments is rather a lot handier than carrying all the pieces you want from the home or storage. The coop might embrace a separate indoor storage space, or it’d supply porch-like outside area underneath the roof the place gadgets you employ recurrently are inside straightforward attain. So suppose forward and consider these potentialities as you establish what measurement hen coop will finest fit your wants.
Useful Hyperlinks
8 Issues to Know Earlier than Constructing a Hen Coop
Shopping for a Prepared-Made Hen Coop — 10 Issues to Take into account
5 Equipment to Add to Your Hen Coop
Hen Coops from Cackle Hatchery®
And that’s as we speak’s information from the Cackle Coop.
Gail Damerow has written quite a few poultry-keeping books, together with Storey’s Information to Elevating Chickens. The above picture is courtesy of Francis.
