Smaller coop in larger coop

[UrbanHillbilly70]

Hello. I’m just starting the planning and am new. I have a 6x4 coop. I will put a 10x13 run around it. I’m starting with 6-8 chickens. Will it be wrong to convert the run into a 2nd, more open air coop when I want more chickens essentially having two coops in one? Proper predator protection will be key I know.

 

[AGeese]

6x4 is tiny are you raising bantams? If you're not free ranging I wouldn't add more.

 

[UrbanHillbilly70]

Living in Michigan, I’ll have larger birds. 6 is ok in a 6x4 house with two 6’ roosting bars yes? I will want more though which is why I’m asking if converting the 10x13 run into a coop will be ok although the other coop is still there. I’ll have no more than 12. Will they fight for the smaller coop? They will free range often

 

[UrbanHillbilly70]

This site keeps refreshing and it took me 1/2 hour to reply to you. I may delete this app lol.

 

[UrbanHillbilly70]

6x4 is tiny are you raising bantams? If you're not free ranging I wouldn't add more.

I’ll raise larger birds being in Michigan. 6x4 with two 6’ roosting bars is ok yes? I will get more though which is why I’m asking if converting the run to a coop will work. Will they fight over the smaller one? Ill never have more than 12 and they will free range

 

[AGeese]

I don't use the app personally, but might have something to do with ads. Try the website, if that doesn't help, well there are other options like a membership but if you can't afford that, you could look into ad blockers, but I wouldn't be able to recommend any.

As far as the coop 4 square feet per chicken, at least double for the run. Unless my math is off you're at 3 square ft per bird with 8.

Breed will also play a part, some heritage breeds don't do well in small spaces, you can end up with agression, stress, and other issues.

 

[saysfaa]

Hello. I’m just starting the planning and am new. I have a 6x4 coop. I will put a 10x13 run around it. I’m starting with 6-8 chickens. Will it be wrong to convert the run into a 2nd, more open air coop when I want more chickens essentially having two coops in one? Proper predator protection will be key I know.

Converting a run into a coop often works well whether or not the smaller structure stays inside. Actually, better to leave the smaller structure in because the lower ranked birds can use it to show the higher ranked birds that they will respect the higher ranked birds (by getting out of sight since they can't get far enough away.

They are unlikely to fight for the smaller space although they are likely to fight for almost everything else when they don't have enough space.

Two roosts in the larger space is likely to work.

Two bars inside the smaller structure isn't likely to work well because if the bars are lengthwise there isn't enough space for their heads on one side of the bar and their tails on the other side of the bar of each bar and still not be touching the chickens on the other bar. It also doesn't allow clearance for them to get down from the bars even if the bars aren't very high.

If you put the bars widthwise, then you have the same bar length as putting one bar lengthwise but have twice as much "against the wall" places. The chickens might like to squish up against a wall but the chances of problems is much greater if they have to do it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the hope is eventually to have a bigger flock, why not skip the smaller coop entirely and do an all open air plan? Saves you time and money in building the smaller unit. I don't know where you're located or what your climate is like, but in hotter climates that's often recommended.

Assuming 10x13 is the footprint you're looking at maybe 9-10 standard size birds in that space.