Chicken coop questions

[NS Gearhead]

So, I've decided my next project shall be a coop. But first a couple of questions;

-how many square feet per bird? (I'd like to have 12 meat kings)
-what needs to be inside the enclosure? Perches?
-should I insulate the enclosure?
-what about ventilation?

I've got a new trailer axle from a project that never happened, and wanting this to be mobile, the plan is to build it like a trailer. Maybe 5X12, with the enclosure 5X6, 2' above the floor so the run is the full 5x12. I guess I'd like the option to let them out during the day, or keep them in. Oh, that brings me to another question; should the run be covered?... from the sun & rain. I think they take 3 or 4 months from chick to slaughter, so this year the goal is one dozen, and if it goes well maybe to a dozen twice back to back.

Thanks in advance for the advice! I'm excited to start my little hobby farm.

 

[TSO]

Are you just wanting to raise meat birds, or egg layers?

 

[murphy1244]

Are you just wanting to raise meat birds, or egg layers?

" I think they take 3 or 4 months from chick to slaughter"

 

[TSO]

Ah thx...

Ok, here's the thing. Chickens are messy. Meat birds are disgustingly messy. They like to eat, crap, and sleep (and nothing else). Sometimes they are so lazy that they sleep on top of eachother and suffocate eachother to death. Not exaggerating. We raise several hundred meat birds each year. We also have kept a flock of layers for a number of years.

Coops are for layers.

For meat birds, build a portable enclosure that is only about 2 ft high, protected on all sides, open on the bottom, with access doors on top. Lookup "chicken tractor" images on Google. I would snap pics of mine, but I think they are still covered in snow.

I've modified my designs over the years. Key is to make them light enough to easily move around. You'll want to keep them on grass (shorter the better), and move it twice a day (morning and night) so they have fresh grass.

My tractors now are 5'x10' so 50 sq/ft. The number of birds depends on breed. If we are raising Cornish Cross, which take 7-9 weeks, we will do up to 32 in each tractor, because these birds barely move. If we're raising more of a Heritage Breed, our favorite is Freedom Rangers, then we will do up to 25 birds in each tractor. These take 9-11 weeks and they move around a lot more.

 

[sea2summit]

I build 4x8 screen and roof panels and add/subtract/split as needed based on the age and number of birds. Just tie the panels together and keep it 8' wide so the roof panel can span it. Also easy to trear down and throw behind the shed until next summer.

 

[NS Gearhead]

For meat birds, build a portable enclosure that is only about 2 ft high, protected on all sides, open on the bottom, with access doors on top. Lookup "chicken tractor" images on Google. I would snap pics of mine, but I think they are still covered in snow.

I've modified my designs over the years. Key is to make them light enough to easily move around. You'll want to keep them on grass (shorter the better), and move it twice a day (morning and night) so they have fresh grass.
\

Ok, so do they get enough food from the lawn with this method?

 

[NS Gearhead]

I build 4x8 screen and roof panels and add/subtract/split as needed based on the age and number of birds. Just tie the panels together and keep it 8' wide so the roof panel can span it. Also easy to trear down and throw behind the shed until next summer.

Your footprint is 4x8? Got a pic?

 

[TSO]

Ok, so do they get enough food from the lawn with this method?

They will eat a little bit of the grass/weeds/bugs ... But we feed them an organic feed for meat birds. They are too lazy to survive off grazing. They'd probably die of starvation. Wish I was joking but it's true.

 

[Ford850]

TSO has nailed it. Raising meat birds is not a glamorous thing. It's not like what most think of when they picture chickens, coops, grazing, layers, etc.

 

[TSO]

These are the four current ones we use, but the latest one (showcased) is the best and is the one we'll model all future ones after.

Go figure, is the simplest. That's how it usually works out, simple is best. We tried all kinds of different water solutions. Ultimately, we use 2 gallon chicken waters and set them on the ground. By the time the tractors are ready to be moved, they are empty. We just throw a few 5-gal buckets in the gator and fill them that way since these are out at pasture.

These are light, strong, safe, and easy. Easy also for removing birds when their time is up.