8x4 Coop questions

[Thelocalladies]

Hi there! We have this 8x4 coop with a run (the actual box is 4x4) and we're trying to figure out how many chickens would fit. We would allow them to have free range access to the yard and build an extention run during the winter.

 

[DobieLover]

Hi there! We have this 8x4 coop with a run (the actual box is 4x4) and we're trying to figure out how many chickens would fit. We would allow them to have free range access to the yard and build an extention run during the winter.

It needs a roost bar above the floor or the birds are likely to roost in the nest box. I wouldn't put more than 4 LF birds in it.
What does the window side look like? The nest box side?

 

[Thelocalladies]

It needs a roost bar above the floor or the birds are likely to roost in the nest box. I wouldn't put more than 4 LF birds in it.
What does the window side look like? The nest box side?

So we haven't put our roots in yet, but we were going to put in 3 bars. Those two nest boxes likely won't stay there and im going to use that little nest box space in the back.

 

[3mile]

I would go 3, 4 max

 

[3KillerBs]

The Usual Guidelines are 4 square feet in the coop and 10 square feet in the run for each adult, standard-size hen.

Also, 1 linear foot of roost, 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, and 1/4 of a nestbox.

They are guidelines, not *rules* but it's a good starting point.

 

[Thelocalladies]

I would go 3, 4 max

Really? I thought each chicken needs about 2 or 3 square feet of space. Is that wrong?

 

[3KillerBs]

Really? I thought each chicken needs about 2 or 3 square feet of space. Is that wrong?

There's a difference between the minimum legal space for commercial chickens kept under intensive maintenance (including things like debeaking and forced-air ventilation), and the space needed for chickens to live a more normal, healthy chicken-life. The Usual Guidelines aren't magic numbers, but they do work for most situations.

Sometimes a higher density works for various reasons (you will see in some hatchery catalogs the note that a given breed "tolerates confinement"), -- I currently have 5 chickens in a coop intended for 4 and they are doing well -- probably because I have a vastly-oversized run.

But if you read back through these forums you'll see that a majority of the problems people have with their chickens, both health and behavior, are either caused by or made worse by over-crowding and/or poor ventilation.

Here's a useful article about chickens' space needs and why the guidelines are *guidelines*, not *rules*: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

 

[Thelocalladies]

There's a difference between the minimum legal space for commercial chickens kept under intensive maintenance (including things like debeaking and forced-air ventilation), and the space needed for chickens to live a more normal, healthy chicken-life. The Usual Guidelines aren't magic numbers, but they do work for most situations.

Sometimes a higher density works for various reasons (you will see in some hatchery catalogs the note that a given breed "tolerates confinement"), -- I currently have 5 chickens in a coop intended for 4 and they are doing well -- probably because I have a vastly-oversized run.

But if you read back through these forums you'll see that a majority of the problems people have with their chickens, both health and behavior, are either caused by or made worse by over-crowding and/or poor ventilation.

Here's a useful article about chickens' space needs and why the guidelines are *guidelines*, not *rules*: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-much-room-do-chickens-need.66180/

Thank you so much I appreciate the clarification!