6ftx6ftx6ft big enough for 15 chickens - people interfering!

[teach1rusl]

Gosh...I keep 5 birds in a 6x8, so to me that sounds VERY crowded. Now my birds are pets and not livestock, but even with livestock animals I would want them to be reasonably comfortable, and a 6x6 is not even 2.5 sq. ft. per bird. I guess if you're in a warm weather area (year round) it could work. But if you get snow/cold winters, then I think you'd have problems, as chickens tend to spend quite a bit more time inside in adverse weather...and NOT just roosting.

However, it's unrealistic of your family to expect a large building and run for $200. Materials are $$$$ these days! I'd consider asking them for more money (maybe to renovate/extend the playhouse...or to find a way to connect your current coop to the playhouse???) or giving their birds the boot...

 

[Coreyboy18]

I have my biddies in a coop that is 4x3. I have four pullets and a cockerel. They have a run that is 10x5, and they also have access to my whole yard. I am an urban chicken farmer and I know my birds are happy happy. I can tell by the way they treat me and treat each other. I spend time playing with them each day playing in the yard, finding bugs and petting, and I really love my birds. So, I think it depends on your situation. Since they free range all day, I think a coop a little smaller than the 4sq.ft. per bird rule is ok. Eventually I may expand the coop, but I think for now it is perfectly fine.

 

[drumstick diva]

I think you should show your inlaws some commercial coops on line so they see what it costs, and they can either pony up and pay for a ready built one or give you much more $$$$ to build or come up with a coop for them. They don't seem to appreciate how much it costs to do these things even if it turns into a DIY project. I'd be venting too, gee you have to care for them, feed them etc. etc. they sure want an awful lot out of you. Will your husband help out??

 

[speckledhen]

Sort of depends on the size of the birds. 15 bantams would easily fit in there or maybe half bantams and half of them standards. If they are all standard sizes, I do feel that 6x6 is too small.

 

[onthespot]

When I have had to crowd birds in a 6x6 pen for a while, I found that having different levels they could walk and feed at, perches at different angles, a few things to cut visual contact, (plywood and cinder blocks) they did fine. Once they accomodated I was even able to keep two adult breeding age roos together and no one drew blood. One was submissive and one was dominant, but that was about it.

 

[itsachicken]

I think if all these people want chickens then they should get chickens--and house them and feed them and kiss their boo-boos. If you're free ranging I think you'll be fine with the 6x6. My coop is 3' x 3' plus a nest box and a lower level for shade and a place to get out of the rain, should they so desire. My 4 girls (all large breeds) are perfectly content. My neighbor has 4 bantam types that are just as happy with their converted doll house (that's doll house, not play house) and I don't think it even has 4 sq ft total (including nest boxes). We both free range so the coops are basically a place for them to roost and eat and lay eggs. You're being very generous taking on the burden of their chickens, even though you will probably get a lot more enjoyment out of the birds than the people that actually own them. They should either pony up, or shut up. IMO, if they don't like the way you're keeping chickens they should keep them themselves. Of course, more than one person will tell you I'm just not very nice.

 

[onthespot]

I had to keep fourteen LF in a 6x6 with no run for a while, couple months, no free ranging, no outside run, no nuthin' fun. The did okay for the time they needed to be confined. No harm, no "fowl"

 

[Mahonri]

I have 23 chickens in an 8 X 10 and they do fine.

 

[TiaView]

Uh oh, maybe I'd better ask, I never thought about a certain amount of space per bird in the Winter. Just thought I'd pack em all in the barn.

I have a 16 by 24 foot barn with an eight foot ceiling and overhead loft that they like to go up into. I think the loft is about three quarters the size as the barn, but usually has hay bales up there. How many chickens can fit into that size barn in the Winter months? It's cold up here in NY, but they will free range on milder days.