2 important questions

[fireguy56]

Buddy T, I am by no means an expert...ok. But, from what I have learned, the coop is for roosting, sleeping and of course, pooping. They will all get along quite well for overnight. Yes, there will be the "pecking order" issue and others. But ya know what...you could have a 30' x 50' coop with 10 girls in it and there will still be issues. I have a 10' x 12' coop with 30 girls in it right now. Some are 2 yrs, 1 yr, 1/2 yr, 10 wks and younger. They are all fine...together.Don't over think this thing. My opinion only of course.. My money is on the area they spend the most time. THE RUN. if ya not able to free range them, build as big a run as your budget will bear. Thats where they spend most of their time. Good luck.
Erik

 

[fireguy56]

Buddy T, Also, if ya worried about flying "bad guys" like I was, definitely do a strong cover over run. I used chain link fencing I scored from construction sites. Was it work? Yes, Do I feel comfortable with it's ability to keep out a Gorilla? yes! Just a thought. ( Well, maybe not a Gorilla, but at least a hawk)
Erik

 

[Carolyn252]

Hello, again.

I agree that the space requirements shouldn't be obsessively adhered to if indeed the chickens are locked up inside the coop ONLY for sleeping. But the minimums WILL become important when you have some need to be away for a few days and the chickens will need to remain indoors, inside the coop all that time. With four square feet per bird, it's doable. There are lots of unintended reasons that will suddenly pop up to keep you from opening the coop and letting them out: weather (snowstorm blocking your path to the coop, or local storm/flooding, windstorm, etc.), medical emergencies, family holidays, business trips, etc.

So, four square feet per bird inside the coop and TEN square feet per bird outdoors in the predator-proof run.

I've never had bantams, so can only advise what I've seen others advise: some say 3 square feet of coop floorspace per adult bantam; some say just figure about half the space needs of a standard size breed.