10’x10’ run for cockerel, coop should be at least 3’ tall, yes?

[Lexie27]

We are adopting an approximately 7 month old cockerel. We want to get him 4 pullets/hens so he’s not alone. The coop would be 10’10’, I have storage in a shed 3’ away. So that’s all chicken room.
We have a welded dog kennel (10’x6’) that we were planning to use as part of the run.
After finding out that you can’t have cockerels with underaged chickens, should we build a small coop in that 10x10x6 attached to the the 10x16x6 run?
Try to divide the coop and run so they get used to the coop/run/each other?
Agreeing to adopt an unwanted cockerel is complicated, especially when you’ve never kept chickens, lol
ETA: who should go in which enclosure? I really want the cockerel to be familiar with the coop/run, and not saying anything bad about my neighbors, they are truly lovely, but since they already have a mature rooster, Roo has been in a better than average time out pen for most of his life.
Not planning on getting chicks for a few months after he comes home, and after that it will be months before the birds can be together.
Any advice or suggestions are welcome.
ETA: the thousands of dollars I’m about to spend on a chicken. Maybe I should just call in Carolina Coops
ETA again to say that I don’t know which would be best-cockerel in new coop and run, or keep him separated as he has been.
I see a lot of cockerel and rooster hate here, and I don’t want to do the wrong thing for him. I want to set him up for success.

 

[paintedChix]

What state do you live in? What kind of weather do you get.There are several ways to introduce older chickens w/ new hatched chicks. There are a lot of different threads & posts on how to do so. I do not understand why you think it will take " ... and after that it will be months before the birds can be together..." to integrate them.

I've not really heard of a coop being larger than the run, but with numbers you are talking it should work. Ah , I just saw a different #, 3rd time reading your beginning post. For the run - 10x16, not 10x6?

Personally, I'd give your lonely roo full acess to the coop & run, since you will have him first. Sounds like you will be able to spend some time with him. Watch to make sure he doesn't think you are either a competing roo or a hen to be woo'd, guided or mated. Both get aggressive fast & roo injuries are seriously painful & can be dangerous (removing or damaging human eyes, deep muscle tissue injuries, opening the abdomen or debilitating infections). His personality, when suddenly getting freedom but being by himself, can completely change. I understand that you want to help him & love him, but be aware.

There are plenty of coops in the BYC article pages that did not cost $,$$$s, so i have no idea where that is coming from. W/ 2 kennels, one for the coop & one for the run, you are more than 1/2 way there. No matter what style you would choose, HWC on the framework & apron, is going to cost. That price remains the same regardless.

Differences in how you build out your coop & run. Style of roofing for coop, same for run(?), sides, whether coop goes to ground or is built so run extends under it, how much ventilation (the more, the better - above their heads while roosting) vs windows (yep, cost more), how many doors (human & pop just for chickens), etc. Of course, if you go w/ a company to purchase ready made or to build out your coop, yes, you may expect to pay $,$$$s for your "1 rooster" coop. Which it's already not, since you are planning on getting chicks.

When you get your chicks, what is your plan for brooding them till they feather in? That can be as early as 3 weeks & as long as 12 weeks - depending on where & how you brood them, your temps & your weather overall.

You could easily do a pen & mini run w/i that size of coop &/or outside in the run. Heat, if close to power outlets, are as simple as running an outdoor extension cord. Or you can trench (hand dig or rent equipment) & put in electric to the coop. May have to be inspected - check your county/state laws.

A brooder set up - a pen (dog crate, rabbit cage, gerbil/hamster cage) can be new @ minimal cost or much less or free w/ CL, FB Marketplace, FB free to you, thrift stores or bulletin boards in feed stores, hardware/box stores, even Walmart.



This dog crate has a sick kitten in it, but similar idea.



I got some new bunny cages from TSC - at least 2 different sizes. Of course, searched just now, prices have doubled.



Attached puppy Xpen (already had) & treated like a tractor in my front yard. Searched puppy x-pen. This is last i bought, about 5 products down...
WOW!! Current price on sale??



At first I covered the top(s) w/ sheets, then went to 2x4" wire, tied to tops. Now, I'd do a more easily opened frame of PVC & wire - hinged in sections so I can access the chicks. I'd put it on a frame that allows it to be MUCH more easily moved. The top & part of the sides of bunny cages were covered w/ loomed haystring. Folded feed bags & cardboard & on one corrugated plastic from a Real Estate sign was used. I had this by front porch when chicks young - the outdoor extension cord for our Christmas lights worked for a while.

Easier to link our Tractor Album - though some won't fit your situation.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9niPpTb56SYFBR667

So, you set this up so that roo & chicks can see but not touch - for a couple of weeks. May need longer, may not need that long. Then adjust so chicks can explore, but can get back into their protected area w/o being caught by roo.

Fuzzi has a great thread w/ several different layouts she's used. I don't remember other's names, but a search of "look, don't touch" should pull up some different threads &/or posts.

Also, you can search "mama heating pad" and " brooding outside".

So, a lot to think about. And have fun with. Do you know what kind of chicks you plan on getting?

Edit - added punctuation. "Blooie" has a couple threads on brooding outside, in WY, in winter. Also, 2 books that may answer most questions & I highly recommend -
storeys guide to chickens -

https://a.co/d/eNuyEKW

& The Small Scale Poultry Flock -

https://a.co/d/aqAG4zu

 

[townchicks]

Perhaps consider getting point of lay pullets instead of chicks. No surprise cockerals and better chance of easy integration?

 

[Lexie27]

What state do you live in? What kind of weather do you get.There are several ways to introduce older chickens w/ new hatched chicks. There are a lot of different threads & posts on how to do so. I do not understand why you think it will take " ... and after that it will be months before the birds can be together..." to integrate them.

I've not really heard of a coop being larger than the run, but with numbers you are talking it should work. Ah , I just saw a different #, 3rd time reading your beginning post. For the run - 10x16, not 10x6?

Personally, I'd give your lonely roo full acess to the coop & run, since you will have him first. Sounds like you will be able to spend some time with him. Watch to make sure he doesn't think you are either a competing roo or a hen to be woo'd, guided or mated. Both get aggressive fast & roo injuries are seriously painful & can be dangerous (removing or damaging human eyes, deep muscle tissue injuries, opening the abdomen or debilitating infections). His personality, when suddenly getting freedom but being by himself, can completely change. I understand that you want to help him & love him, but be aware.

There are plenty of coops in the BYC article pages that did not cost $,$$$s, so i have no idea where that is coming from. W/ 2 kennels, one for the coop & one for the run, you are more than 1/2 way there. No matter what style you would choose, HWC on the framework & apron, is going to cost. That price remains the same regardless.

Differences in how you build out your coop & run. Style of roofing for coop, same for run(?), sides, whether coop goes to ground or is built so run extends under it, how much ventilation (the more, the better - above their heads while roosting) vs windows (yep, cost more), how many doors (human & pop just for chickens), etc. Of course, if you go w/ a company to purchase ready made or to build out your coop, yes, you may expect to pay $,$$$s for your "1 rooster" coop. Which it's already not, since you are planning on getting chicks.

When you get your chicks, what is your plan for brooding them till they feather in? That can be as early as 3 weeks & as long as 12 weeks - depending on where & how you brood them, your temps & your weather overall.

You could easily do a pen & mini run w/i that size of coop &/or outside in the run. Heat, if close to power outlets, are as simple as running an outdoor extension cord. Or you can trench (hand dig or rent equipment) & put in electric to the coop. May have to be inspected - check your county/state laws.

A brooder set up - a pen (dog crate, rabbit cage, gerbil/hamster cage) can be new @ minimal cost or much less or free w/ CL, FB Marketplace, FB free to you, thrift stores or bulletin boards in feed stores, hardware/box stores, even Walmart.

View attachment 4060342

This dog crate has a sick kitten in it, but similar idea.

View attachment 4060345

I got some new bunny cages from TSC - at least 2 different sizes. Of course, searched just now, prices have doubled.

View attachment 4060368

Attached puppy Xpen (already had) & treated like a tractor in my front yard. Searched puppy x-pen. This is last i bought, about 5 products down...
WOW!! Current price on sale??

View attachment 4060371

At first I covered the top(s) w/ sheets, then went to 2x4" wire, tied to tops. Now, I'd do a more easily opened frame of PVC & wire - hinged in sections so I can access the chicks. I'd put it on a frame that allows it to be MUCH more easily moved. The top & part of the sides of bunny cages were covered w/ loomed haystring. Folded feed bags & cardboard & on one corrugated plastic from a Real Estate sign was used. I had this by front porch when chicks young - the outdoor extension cord for our Christmas lights worked for a while.

Easier to link our Tractor Album - though some won't fit your situation.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9niPpTb56SYFBR667

So, you set this up so that roo & chicks can see but not touch - for a couple of weeks. May need longer, may not need that long. Then adjust so chicks can explore, but can get back into their protected area w/o being caught by roo.

Fuzzi has a great thread w/ several different layouts she's used. I don't remember other's names, but a search of "look, don't touch" should pull up some different threads &/or posts.

Also, you can search "mama heating pad" and " brooding outside".

So, a lot to think about. And have fun with. Do you know what kind of chicks you plan on getting?

Edit - added punctuation. "Blooie" has a couple threads on brooding outside, in WY, in winter. Also, 2 books that may answer most questions & I highly recommend -
storeys guide to chickens -

https://a.co/d/eNuyEKW

& The Small Scale Poultry Flock -

https://a.co/d/aqAG4zu

Wow! Thank you, super helpful! Thank you so much!

We have a ton of different indoor dog kennels from medium to X-Large.

The first priority is to get the cockerel settled in and get to know him. But, because we’re building we’re trying to pre-plan, and knowing he needs company, have some future hens for him. I do know roosters can be territorial and aggressive, his former owner will be at the top of the hill and help us if necessary. He had put him in with his hens and adult rooster, the adult rooster was fine with him, but the hens beat him up. He’s an Easter Egger, and that’s what we’d get for him.
I was steered towards Roovolution.org to help figure out the bird psychology of this situation.
The coop will have power after it’s built, we’re in NC, the weather is generally temperate although we had a month of really cold weather this January.

I super appreciate the book recommendations and the specific information and suggestions.

You’re awesome! Thank you!

 

[Lexie27]

Perhaps consider getting point of lay pullets instead of chicks. No surprise cockerals and better chance of easy integration?

Oh, I love that but where do you get them from?

 

[Lexie27]

Oh, I love that but where do you get them from?

I found them out of MI at 15-20 weeks old, for $35 a bird.
Just wondering how traumatizing that would be for the birds.

 

[paintedChix]

Wow! Thank you, super helpful! Thank you so much!

We have a ton of different indoor dog kennels from medium to X-Large.

The first priority is to get the cockerel settled in and get to know him. But, because we’re building we’re trying to pre-plan, and knowing he needs company, have some future hens for him. I do know roosters can be territorial and aggressive, his former owner will be at the top of the hill and help us if necessary. He had put him in with his hens and adult rooster, the adult rooster was fine with him, but the hens beat him up. He’s an Easter Egger, and that’s what we’d get for him.
I was steered towards Roovolution.org to help figure out the bird psychology of this situation.
The coop will have power after it’s built, we’re in NC, the weather is generally temperate although we had a month of really cold weather this January.

I super appreciate the book recommendations and the specific information and suggestions.

You’re awesome! Thank you!

You are welcome!!

And welcome to BYC, our NC "neighbor". Our property straddles western Harnett & Moore counties in the sandhills.

Town and Country Flock Swap in Sanford was Saturday 3/1. 0830 -1300- ish... Next one is set for 4/1.

I went to get cat food for the outdoor cats. Weather was bordering hot after so much cold. I managed the handicap parking spot but didn't feel right to stay, since my handicap placard ran out in Jan. I figured, if I got a space in back, I'd get out. But it was bumper to bumper parking & driving. PACKED w/ people & so.many.birds!! I feel like most of the birds were 1-3 yr old, red hybrid hens. A ton of roosters, too. LOTS of crowing & noise. It was too much, since ive been house bound since last April. I decided not to get out & navigate/balance w/ my cane...

Spring Lake TSC is supposed to start doing Flock Swaps too, now.

 

[paintedChix]

Approx where are you?

 

[Lexie27]

Approx where are you?

We’re in Lexington. So far as your placard, you do your best. I am so brand new to all of this, I never heard of flock swaps. My sister (who has RA, a placard and sometimes still needs a cane after knee replacement) wants to start keeping chickens, too, so I’ll let her know. She’s on FB so probably easier to find out about these things.
Haha at bordering hot, I’m born and raised FL, look like the Michelin man in winter. I know there’s colder than here, but these winters are cold enough!

 

[StinkyAcres]

Be VERY careful about buying and selling birds at swaps, fairs, from backyard keepers, etc., especially right now with the avian flu outbreak. Be prepared to do a long and strict quarantine if you don't want to risk putting your current birds in danger.