Advice about managing my space??

[Kieyamama]

Okay...we have about 450 sq feet of area that the chickens will be free to roam in during the day. (We'll be getting 8 chickens.)

So, my questions are:

How big of a coop do I need if they aren't going to be spending a lot of thier time in it?

Does my coop need a small run even if they have the free roaming space? or just the coop?

Thanks!

 

[Sillystunt]

8 chickens at 4sq ft a piece= 32 sg ft so a coop 8x4 or 6x6. I would go bigger like 8x6 incase you get more chickens. then you would have 48sqft and could have 12 chickens....LOL

In the run it's 10 sqft per standard

A run is nice to conatin poop and save your plants and keep them safe from predators. the coop needs to fit all birds incase of weather conditions. All mine sleep in theirs at night. 8 chickens will need like 6 boxes and 2 perches

 

[fhlstables]

I think all this will depend on what kind of chickens you get.

Based on my chickens I could put a lot of chickens in this area. lol

Build UP... all my chickens roost together on top of my boxes and shelves. I re-used a shed that had a huge deep freeze in it. We can't move that sucker! I recycled the top of a desk hutch for nest boxes by turning it upside down. I put a piece of wood on top and that's where most of them roosted.

At an estate sale I had picked up a used shelving unit that when it fell apart I took the two shelves that were together and put that next to the desk hutch.

So I had basically 4 nest boxes and lots of space for them to roost otherwise. I never did get a regular *roost* built.

I have 12+ chickens roosting on these.

My chickens like to roost High. When we get the dog runs and set them all up for my chickens I'll probably get some used ladders and take wire and wire them up so they have a good roosting spot.

I only have 2 hens that will even sleep in a box.

Hope that all made sense.

 

[Kieyamama]

The area that I have for them doesn't have any plants I care to save. Just weeds. They can have at em!

So, I really don't need a run then, ya? Just a coop to lock them up at night to keep them safe from predators? Or do I need it all? Run and coop *and* ranging area?

btw...i'm getting 3 BA's, 2 Delawares and 3 EE's.

 

[Kieyamama]

Anyone else? Run or no run?

 

[jsimplytx125]

Unless you live in a heavily wooded (to hide from Hawks, Owls) but totally predator free zone, (would like to know where that is), I would make a run.

Read the predator list and you can bet you will be losing some, even you stand outside with them.

Don't mean to scare you, just thinking of your chicks.

Welcome to BYC

 

[#1California Chick]

Where do you live?? Suburbs or country? Do you or your neighbors have dogs? How high, strong is your fence? Are there any predators in your area that you know of (raccoons, hawks, possums, etc.)??

Even though I live in the suburbs, I have a tightly enclosed run. I prefer safe to sorry!!

You might have a run for when you are not around. Then you could let them free range when you are out there with them. You will probably have to clip your chicken's wings to keep them from flying over the fence.

Good Luck!

 

[Kieyamama]

We live in the burbs. We have 2 dogs. The chickens will have their own area that the dogs have no access to. The fence is a 6 foot standard wood fence. Raccoons for sure.

So the winner is, coop, run and free ranging area!!

 

[Capone]

you dont need 6 boxes for 8 birds. in one of my coops with the australorps it only has 2 boxes to 9 birds and you know what, they only use one. 2 to 3 would be great. yes i would also make a run. just like some have said, its good for protection and bad weather. for eight birds, i wouldnt make it any smaller than 6'x12'. or you will get some nasty hen pecking and possibly lose some birds and alot of feathers. but since you are going to let them out alot, you shouldnt have stressed birds. you can get away with a coop that is 6'x8' and 6 foot high. have your nest boxes out side the wall, so your not takeing up more space inside the coop.

 

[Kieyamama]

Awesome! Great advice and soooo very appreciated!

Now I start begging my very talented general contractor father-in-law, to build it for me.