8x8 coop and 16x8 run can I got more chickens?

[Chickybabies0423]

Hi everyone, I have an 8x8 chicken coop and a 16x8 run which I am currently extending out so that the chickens have an area with grass since I don’t free range anymore (lost 5 to predators) I have 16 one week old chicks, but was thinking about adding in some silkies with them. Is this possible or should I order a separate coop for the silkies? I’m only getting 6. Thanks in advance.

 

[3KillerBs]

The Usual Guidelines say that each adult, standard-sized hen needs:

4 square feet in the coop,
10 square feet in the run,
1 linear foot of roost,
1/4 of a nest box,
and 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation -- preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on their roost.

You are right at the square footage for 16 chickens in your coop but you only have enough run for 12 chickens.

Now these are *guidelines*, not hard and fast *rules* but overcrowding causes both behavioral and sanitation issues.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

You'll need another separate coop. The space you have isnt really big enough for 16 birds, let alone more

 

[aart]

(lost 5 to predators) I have 16 one week old chicks,

Lost 5, of how many?
Wondering if you have existing older birds in addition to the 16 one week old chicks.

but was thinking about adding in some silkies with them. Is this possible or should I order a separate coop for the silkies? I’m only getting 6.

So you've already ordered them?
Are they young chicks too?

You could always sell some of the chicks once they are off heat.
Might have to get rid of any males anyway.

Your space is tight for 16, especially if your run is not weather and predator proof.


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[Chickybabies0423]

I had 5 and lost them to predators because they were free ranging. My run and coop are
Predator proof I’m just not free ranging anymore. I have 16 week old chicks now and have a friend who has silkie chicks and was going to get 6 from her. I haven’t ordered or bought any just yet.

 

[aart]

Ok. I thought I could fit 16 because of the 3 square foot per chicken. I have 64 square feet and for 16 I would need 48. And my run is double that.

The most common and popular 'rule of thumb' is 4/10 for coop/run.
But many have found that is a bare minimum.
Crowding is ugly, and can be fatal, more space is always better.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

(16) 1 week old chicks I mean

That space might look big for them now, but by the time they are a year old it won’t. It will look very tiny and your silkies will probably get bullied.

 

[Chickybabies0423]

The Silkies may also need their own run since they are sometimes bullied by full-size birds.

Not always, but sometimes.

I am going to get a whole separate coop and build a run off of it for them since my coop now is full. I did hear you could have them together is they were raised from chicks but I definitely don’t want to crowd anyone and cause bullying. I’m ok with two separate coops so that’s the plan. I also read silkies don’t roost so they get pooped on. Don’t want that either

 

[Chickybabies0423]

(16) 1 week old chicks I mean

 

[JacinLarkwell]

If you want more than the 16, you will have to get another space. You're already a bit likely to have squabbling if you keep all 16, even if they're all female