One large coop vs. multiple smaller coops

[ChickenLittle5]

My chicks should be here in a couple of weeks, so I need to build a coop. (I have a temporary small coop that I borrowed from a family member as an interim that should work once they outgrow the brooder, but are still little.) My son is getting 15 Easter Eggers (pullets) for 4-H and will be selling at least 4 of these at the State Fair in the fall to fulfill his 4H commitment. I ordered my other kids 10 Bielefelder (straight run) and 5 Wyandotte (pullets). So, we will be starting out with 30 chicks. I'm assuming I'll get at least 5 cockerels in my straight run order, of which all but one will likely be rehomed in the future. So by the time fall gets here, I expect to have around 20 chickens. (Assuming something doesn't kill these too!) I've read through a lot of the info on here about coops size and chicken runs, but still have a couple of questions.

First, I see that 4 SF/Bird seems to be the preferred space for most folks here. This might seem like a silly question, but does vertical space count?

Second, I didn't see much about how free-range factors into space/bird equation. Does the coop size change if you free range? I have 11 acres and had planned to free-range, but it will depend on predators. I definitely have tons of space for a chicken run, if needed, but I hope to keep it on the small size initially.

Third, is there any disadvantage to having multiple smaller coops vs. one large one. The advantages I see to doing this are: 1) We plan to build them ourselves and building multiple smaller ones will allow us to phase them in over the next few weeks instead of building everything now. 2) If we lose a lot of chicks, we don't have to build unnecessary coop space. (Some of you might have seen my post a few weeks ago, where something killed all 15 of our chicks. I have a plan for a better brooder this time, but sometimes things happen.) I know it is better to have too much space than not enough, but given the uncertainties of the economy, I don't want to spend extra $ right now. 3) If I find that we have too many chickens, I have a better chance of rehoming them (to my mom or sister! LOL!) if I can take her a ready-built coop. 4) It seems like with a closet in the house, sometimes a reach-in closet is easier to use than a walk-in. Is it the same with coops? Will a narrower width with lots of access on one side be better? Speaking of narrow, what is the minimum width you recommend? I'd love to hear others' thoughts on this!!

 

[imnukensc]

Vertical space does not count. Of course, they need vertical space for roosting. With the number of birds you are planning, I would make a single coop of 8X12 (or there about) and make it tall enough to walk in. I would not do multiple smaller coops. They would most likely be a PITA to clean.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Vertical space helps (mainly with ventilation, and for roost placement) but the 4 sq ft in coop is strictly floor space not including nest boxes, food, or anything else that takes up floor space.

Disadvantage of multiple smaller coops is the flock will generally want to roost together (might have a few loners that will choose otherwise, but the bulk will stay together). So you're going to see one or two coops completely crammed with birds, and the others mostly vacant.

It seems like with a closet in the house, sometimes a reach-in closet is easier to use than a walk-in. Is it the same with coops? Will a narrower width with lots of access on one side be better? Speaking of narrow, what is the minimum width you recommend? I'd love to hear others' thoughts on this!!

I have never ever preferred a narrow "reach in" closet to a walk in. I can't see how it's harder to use a space that's more spacious instead of less spacious. Then again I don't want to bend down or over, crouch, or do anything else that requires contorting myself for the sake of cleaning a coop.

Don't think there's really an ideal width for a coop other than material cost (i.e. 4' wide would likely cost same or even less than 3' wide).

If you really plan on keeping let's say 20 of these birds overall, then you really should build for that number. Otherwise, plan on reducing flock size more, and later on if you decide to expand, expand the entire set up along with the flock.

 

[paintedChix]

Well, here's one I can respond to in a different way!

Welcome to BYC! Didn't see your other post, so...

I have multiple "small" coops. I like it that way. It does make it difficult to get good DLM going in all of them - a lot of work. I also have multiple small tractors - built because predators seem to love our front yard birds that I allowed to free range during the day... We still have a few free ranging bantamXs, but that's it. Everything else is in a coop/pen or a tractor.

All of my coops are built out of some form of CP hooped arrangement. They are approximately 8x8' +. None are fancy. All have tarped roofs and currently are different colors. 2 are on a 2x4 base & 1 is on a 2x6 base - these 3 were originally tractors - built by us before coming to this property. They are out in our pony pasture - Barn coop has Rhodebars - 3h/1r; Behind Barn#1 - Marans - 1 blu h/2blk h/1blu r; BB#2 - CLBs - 2h/1r.



In the back, behind the house, behind the large backyard is a "bird yard" - set of pens that were here. 4 are pens - #1 & #2 had no roofs, #3 had a wire roof at about 4' & #4 had a wire and tin roof. Coops 1,2 & 3 have since been hooped w/ CP, wire and tarps. Now - Coop #1 - Marans - 3h/1r; #2 - Bielefelders - pair; #3 - 4 Australorp h/1 bantamX h/2 CLB hens/1 CLBr; #4 - Ameraucana - 2 LavenderH/1bluH/1lavenderR. There are 3 other coop/pens that have been set up - 1 had birds in it; 2 have never had any... Had some issues with them. Working on that. May take them out and make pop doors to the existing pens and 1 or 2 large runs that each of the 4 coops share - splitting time they have outside during breeding season; running together at other times... Don't know yet. So many options, so little time!!



Then there was a run w/ a coop that was made from a truck box cover and tin. I could walk in it easily but the roosts were difficult for the birds to access w/ no ladder (s). Currently no birds in it. chicken wire over the run rusted out and mostly removed then not finished due to other projects, LOL.

We now have 6 A-frame type tractors (5x8') that are also made from CP. I, our adult daughter, her two daughters (8 & 9) are all able to move these tractors around the front yard (no wheels yet). They are relatively simple to build, and I have breeding groups of specific birds in them. I counted this evening (don't laugh, I could not remember how many I had in each pen!)...

1 - Neon Blue - 55 Flowery Hens - 3h, 1r = 4
2 - Purple - 55 Flowery Hens - 4h/1r = 5
3 - Orange - Cream Legbars - 4h/1r =5 (Ameraucana moved into BYcoop#4)
4 - Lime Green - Marans - 2h/1r/2 CLBh = 5
5 - Yellow - Rhodebars - 4RBh/1bantamBLRWh/1RBr = 6 (added an RBh/bantam)
6 - Dark Blue - Rhodebars - 5h/1r = 6 (added 2 RB hens)

Don't have current pictures done - working on them...





31 chickens in our front yard... but then along our pony fence line I have 2 - 4x8 (single CP hoop) coops with lavender trios in them. Working on runs this weekend - the Orpingtons are free ranging right now & I go out to close them in at night. The Ameraucana are not free ranging. they will be very happy when the run is finished for them. They were in a smaller pen set up before I got them, so they seem to be doing ok and both hens are laying. So 37 chickens in our front yard, LOL.



+ the 4 ducks... one sitting on a nest of eggs! I may have to pen the mama duck up with her ducklings in a different type of pen while they are small - once they hatch.



So individual smaller coops and tractors do work for some. I did most of the building myself - w/ some help here and there. I will need to re-do the fronts & doors on the 3 coops out in the pasture. The treated lumber has pretty much rotted out and is now starting to disintegrate... Also will need to do the back of each coop. We shall see how this summer goes.

 

[ChickenLittle5]

Vertical space does not count. Of course, they need vertical space for roosting. With the number of birds you are planning, I would make a single coop of 8X12 (or there about) and make it tall enough to walk in. I would not do multiple smaller coops. They would most likely be a PITA to clean.

I thought that might be the case, but wanted to make sure while I’m still in the planning stage!

Disadvantage of multiple smaller coops is the flock will generally want to roost together (might have a few loners that will choose otherwise, but the bulk will stay together). So you're going to see one or two coops completely crammed with birds, and the others mostly vacant.

Had not thought of this...good to know.

I have never ever preferred a narrow "reach in" closet to a walk in. I can't see how it's harder to use a space that's more spacious instead of less spacious. Then again I don't want to bend down or over, crouch, or do anything else that requires contorting myself for the sake of cleaning a coop.

I‘ve found in my house more space equals more mess and less organization. LOL! I wouldn’t be surprised if chickens are neater than my kids though!

If you really plan on keeping let's say 20 of these birds overall, then you really should build for that number. Otherwise, plan on reducing flock size more, and later on if you decide to expand, expand the entire set up along with the flock.

will do!

 

[ChickenLittle5]

Well, here's one I can respond to in a different way!

Welcome to BYC! Didn't see your other post, so...

I have multiple "small" coops. I like it that way. It does make it difficult to get good DLM going in all of them - a lot of work. I also have multiple small tractors - built because predators seem to love our front yard birds that I allowed to free range during the day... We still have a few free ranging bantamXs, but that's it. Everything else is in a coop/pen or a tractor.

All of my coops are built out of some form of CP hooped arrangement. They are approximately 8x8' +. None are fancy. All have tarped roofs and currently are different colors. 2 are on a 2x4 base & 1 is on a 2x6 base - these 3 were originally tractors - built by us before coming to this property. They are out in our pony pasture - Barn coop has Rhodebars - 3h/1r; Behind Barn#1 - Marans - 1 blu h/2blk h/1blu r; BB#2 - CLBs - 2h/1r.

View attachment 2084037 View attachment 2084043 View attachment 2084048

In the back, behind the house, behind the large backyard is a "bird yard" - set of pens that were here. 4 are pens - #1 & #2 had no roofs, #3 had a wire roof at about 4' & #4 had a wire and tin roof. Coops 1,2 & 3 have since been hooped w/ CP, wire and tarps. Now - Coop #1 - Marans - 3h/1r; #2 - Bielefelders - pair; #3 - 4 Australorp h/1 bantamX h/2 CLB hens/1 CLBr; #4 - Ameraucana - 2 LavenderH/1bluH/1lavenderR. There are 3 other coop/pens that have been set up - 1 had birds in it; 2 have never had any... Had some issues with them. Working on that. May take them out and make pop doors to the existing pens and 1 or 2 large runs that each of the 4 coops share - splitting time they have outside during breeding season; running together at other times... Don't know yet. So many options, so little time!!

View attachment 2084004

Then there was a run w/ a coop that was made from a truck box cover and tin. I could walk in it easily but the roosts were difficult for the birds to access w/ no ladder (s). Currently no birds in it. chicken wire over the run rusted out and mostly removed then not finished due to other projects, LOL.

We now have 6 A-frame type tractors (5x8') that are also made from CP. I, our adult daughter, her two daughters (8 & 9) are all able to move these tractors around the front yard (no wheels yet). They are relatively simple to build, and I have breeding groups of specific birds in them. I counted this evening (don't laugh, I could not remember how many I had in each pen!)...

1 - Neon Blue - 55 Flowery Hens - 3h, 1r = 4
2 - Purple - 55 Flowery Hens - 4h/1r = 5
3 - Orange - Cream Legbars - 4h/1r =5 (Ameraucana moved into BYcoop#4)
4 - Lime Green - Marans - 2h/1r/2 CLBh = 5
5 - Yellow - Rhodebars - 4RBh/1bantamBLRWh/1RBr = 6 (added an RBh/bantam)
6 - Dark Blue - Rhodebars - 5h/1r = 6 (added 2 RB hens)

Don't have current pictures done - working on them...

View attachment 2084060 View attachment 2084054 View attachment 2084052

View attachment 2084108 View attachment 2084219

31 chickens in our front yard... but then along our pony fence line I have 2 - 4x8 (single CP hoop) coops with lavender trios in them. Working on runs this weekend - the Orpingtons are free ranging right now & I go out to close them in at night. The Ameraucana are not free ranging. they will be very happy when the run is finished for them. They were in a smaller pen set up before I got them, so they seem to be doing ok and both hens are laying. So 37 chickens in our front yard, LOL.

View attachment 2084109 View attachment 2084110 View attachment 2084216

+ the 4 ducks... one sitting on a nest of eggs! I may have to pen the mama duck up with her ducklings in a different type of pen while they are small - once they hatch.

View attachment 2084217 View attachment 2084218 View attachment 2084230

So individual smaller coops and tractors do work for some. I did most of the building myself - w/ some help here and there. I will need to re-do the fronts & doors on the 3 coops out in the pasture. The treated lumber has pretty much rotted out and is now starting to disintegrate... Also will need to do the back of each coop. We shall see how this summer goes.

Thanks for sharing all the photos! We can get crazy wind gusts around here so I can’t use a tarp cover—long term—but it is nice to see other ways of doing things. Glad to here multiple coops work for some folks. I think I’ll wait until my chicks get here, before I decide what to build. It will depend on how my girls I get on the straight run order.

 

[imnukensc]

I think I’ll wait until my chicks get here, before I decide what to build.

Whether you build multiple coops or a single coop, waiting to build until after you get your chicks is a mistake.

 

[ChickenLittle5]

Whether you build multiple coops or a single coop, waiting to build until after you get your chicks is a mistake.

I’m assuming the chicks will be in a brooder for at least the first 2-3 weeks. Then I have a chicken coop from Tractor Supply that I was planning on using for at least another month. That gives me 1.5-2 months to build something. Am I under estimating how quickly they’ll grow? If we get bad weather, I’ll be in trouble, but we are having that now, so I can’t start yet anyway. This is another reason why I was considering multiple smaller coops—build one plus tractor supply coop—gives me more time for ultimate buildout of the other 2-3. From what I’ve gathered, that is not the best idea. I guess if I build a small interim coop, I could use it later for a brooder or isolation coop.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Whether you build multiple coops or a single coop, waiting to build until after you get your chicks is a mistake.

But a very, very common one.

That gives me 1.5-2 months to build something. Am I under estimating how quickly they’ll grow? If we get bad weather, I’ll be in trouble, but we are having that now, so I can’t start yet anyway.

I guess if I build a small interim coop, I could use it later for a brooder or isolation coop.

Well you know what they said about the best laid plans... I ended up having to cobble together our coop during a rainy weekend because we HAD to have the chicks out of the bathtub they were brooded in before the next Monday. Emergency bathroom repairs - and the tub they were in was going to be the only usable shower in the house for the next 6 weeks.

And yes, an prefab or small interim coop could be reused for sure. No reason to let it go to waste. My first little coop made for a great outdoor brooder and I even open it up as shelter during rainstorms.

 

[paintedChix]

There are many styles of coops and tractors listed right here on BYC.

As far as tarped roofs - those CP hoop coops can take many different materials besides tarps and they will look good as well as being functional.

Now that I know the official sizes of tarps that would work best for my coops, I can invest in heavier duty tarps, do them once in custom colors/sizes and have them last for many years (longer than the pressure treated framing lumber has lasted on them) . In all honesty, the 2 original tractors pictured first in my first response - one of those silver tarps was used when put on the CP Hoop coop, one was new. They have both been through 6+ years of NC weather to include 6 (or 7?) hurricanes w/ high wind speeds; other storms to include hail and wind that weren't considered "named storm worthy"and ice with snow. It's been impressive how long they have lasted and also through 2 moves to different properties.

As stated above, the neat thing about smaller coops and/or tractors is they can be re-purposed to other things when you no longer need them. The CP coops and tractors can even be taken apart and the wire/CP used in other applications around a house (garden/fencing) or farm (other animals, garden, fencing) or even sold to someone else just getting started.

And even with an easy coop or tractor "build", it seems to always take longer than planned on, so beware!! and enjoy the journey.