New member with a question

[THE CHICK INN 6]

I understand this hole chicken math and how it works I have a 8 ft high by 4 ft wide and 8 ft long with a 7ft high by 10 ft long run . it's 2 square feet per chicken in the coop and 10 square feet in the run, right? But I have 6 chickens and 6 ducks (2 Perkins and 4 rouns). Do I have or not have enough space and what's the math on ducks?

 

[Grain Gypsy]

Hi there, @THE CHICK INN 6 !

I raise chickens only, but I am curious, too, so I looked up an answer to your question. I found this article, Duck Housing and Management, online, with this handy little coop space chart in it. 3.02 square feet per duck, to be exact! I just skimmed the article, so it might also have how much square footage you'll need per chicken in the run.


Floor space
Overcrowding ducks can be extremely detrimental to their health, growth or egg production. Providing adequate floorspace at each stage of development is basic to successful duck raising. While undercrowding is not usually a problem, it is better to stock ducks at near the recommended density (see Table 2 below) in cold weather so that body heat will help warm the room in which the ducks are confined.

Table 2. Floor Space Allowances For Ducks​

Age of days


Space/Duck (sq cm)


Space/Duck (sq ft)
1 289 0.31
2 576 0.62
3 1024 1.10
4 1369 1.47
5 1764 1.90
6 2116 2.28
7 2304 2.48
Developing Breeders 2500 2.69
Laying Breeders 2809 3.02​

 

[nj2wv]

Welcome to BYC !!

 

[drumstick diva]

I don't know about ducks, you can ask someone on the duck threads at "Other Backyard Poultry," forum above.

As for chickens it is 4-5 sq.feet per bird not including roosts, or nest boxes. and 10- sg.feet per bird in the outdoor run. If chickens are too crowded they resort to fighting, feather plucking and even cannibalism.

Your coop is 8 x 4 so 32 sq.feet - so at most you can have 8 chickens- it would be better to have one less less. Height is not important , chickens spend most of the time on the ground or floor. You have 70 sq.feet of run space,= 7 chickens.

If you live in an area with severe winters where chickens will stay inside the coop for days at a time, it's better to allow 5 sg.feet per bird in the coop. Hope this helps you out.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Sorry but I too am not a duck person but please do drop by the duck section, here is the link > https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/42/ducks I'm more than sure the duck experts will be able to help you over there.

Wishing you the very best of luck, enjoy BYC

 

[N F C]

Welcome to BYC!

It looks like you've already been given some good information regarding size of housing so I'll just say hi, nice to have you join us!

 

[THE CHICK INN 6]

Thank you all for the welcoming and for the info, all is helpful..

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!