Need Help guys...

[Anonymous]

Hi.... I have read some articles in the forum, i am really confused.... Please clarify my questions... I badly need the answers, i only have a temporary coop, and we are planning to build one... thanks in advance.

- norris

CONCERNS:
Chicken Coop Size - I have read that the size should be 4sq ft. per chicken, but i also see 3sq ft or even 2 sq ft per chicken? what would be the best size per chicken?

Chicken Coop Design - Some say cover the run, some say not, which is best?
- Which is the best material to use in the coop bedding? Some say hay, dirt, straw, corn cob, wood shavings... please this is really confusing... which is the best to use? does the bedding also depends on the weather, on what/which materials to use?

Chicken Feed - Should I stick to pellets or go for grains? which would be best?

Chicken Health - Do you also use vitamins? how often should i use one? some say it is better to keep it organic and chickens will live longer... is it true?

Chicken Ratio - Hens per Rooster? 2:1? 3:1? 4:1? I've seen some post that say 4:1 and 3:1... which is the best?

Again... Thanks in Advance...
- Norris

 

[Chuck]

I'm leaving ou the coop size at the moment & offer answers to your other questions:

Floor of the coop. Most of us use shavings with straw the next most common. Best thing is to experiment and see what suits you in the long term.

Feed. Most pellets contain vitamins so as long as they are in date, they should meet the needs of the chickens. It's a good idea to keep a bit of corn (wheat) as a scatter feed as it keeps them interested, makes a change and they will follow you for it so it's useful for getting them back in the pen. Organic will not necessarily make them live any longer.

Males ratio. Depends on the breed, the age, the condition of the birds. Males of the lighter breeds can run with more hens than the heavier breeds but this is a generalisation. Too few hens and they get pulled about too much in the mating process. If you average 1: 5 or six you shouldn't go far wrong. Young, keen, active males can usually cover more than elderly males. Assuming from your question that you intend to breed from them.

Have you decided on the breed(s) you are going to keep ?

 

[Anonymous]

Have you decided on the breed(s) you are going to keep ?

actually i havent decided on this one yet.... i only have 3 chooks here... and i will try them first if i succeed i will pursue on their breed...

thanks for your answers sir... i will look into it... and will post more questions when im lost... lol

thanks again...
norris

 

[Rebelodicus]

Chicken Coop Size

imho

Batteries are kept in just over a foot square and no run and it's legal ..... Go figure. I personaly believe that at least a couple of square meters (+) of ground beyond the hen house floor is of benefit if you have it.( I have a large allotment and can do this, but there are many with smaller that can't /don't. I have seen 5 Warrens and 3 ducks in an area that is only 2 X 3 M. And some light sussex further down the lotties with a static run of similar size for about 8 hens. (Mesh over the top of both) ... Their hens and ducks lay and seem happy enough ..... *Shrug* (The hen houses all are very small relative to my garden shed adaption, at night they don't need much space)
The place I got my Cockrell from (Trethorne leisure park near Launceston) have large breeds in arks that they move around. A breeding trio per ark, and you'll be lucky if there's even a meter sq. per bird.

I doubt this helps, but it's info for you..

 

[karminski]

i would suggest that you get hold of a 6'4 shed they are very simple to covert to a chicken house and always reusealbe if you no longer want to keep birds they are going cheap at the mo , i still want to build my own chicken house that will be 16 foot long by 4 foot wide { basically i was going to use 6 '4 ply jioned together but i wont have the money until the winter but i only just got a new shed and a second hand wendy house so for now my housing will have to stay as it is but shame i dont have the money to buy the 10 sheets of ply i need now as if i had it i would offer my houses to anyone for free if they would help dismantle them :lol:

 

[foxy]

Will just stick my 2 pennyworth in...

Henhouse...rule of thumb 1 sq foot per chicken, not as important as the run as the birds generally only roost and lay eggs in there. Key priority is security from predators and is constructed with adequate ventilation...make sure their house suits YOU...the right height, easy to clean, you can move it around if non-static. Husbandry is the key to good health -some coops maybe cheap, but one thing I would not skimp on is quality housing. Bedding, most use a good absorbant dust free bedding...not hay. Straw is fine as long as quality and checked regulary to ensure it is not damp.
Some recommended bedding material: Aubouise, Easibed, Hempcore, pet quality wood shavings.

Cover run or not... - If you have a static run, a covered run maybe useful, depending on your run base and cleaning regime. Again this depends on how large the run will be, runs can quite quickly get "sour" if not managed, so a major consideration will be the base of your run and try to make this as free draining as possible if kept secure.

Feed: Good quality (fresh) layers pellets will be fine. Vitamins and supplements are not necessary unless there is a health need. Layers pellets are a balanced diet...important if you have hybrids which will need the nutrient balance due to being prolific layers. Grains like mixed corn in moderation, useful in winter as will help keep birds warm overnight, bit like readybrek!
If not free-ranging then oyster shell is a good calcium supplement. The only other product I use regulary is Apple CIder vinegar and Oregstim for good gut health.

Hen v rooster ratio...as mentioned this really depends on a number of factors!

Finally have a look at our website.. lots of useful articles there!

http://poultrykeeper.com/chickens/