Age old question....how many?

[Penny spender]

My coop has an interior of 4' x 6' with an attached run of 6' x 10' that they have access to 24/7. They also get out to free range a few hours per day (might change in the winter because it's already dark when I get home from work).
I currently have 3 hens and 5 (6wk old) chicks...of which I believe 4 to be roos (which means freezer camp come december-ish). I would like to get at least 3 more hens...total then would be 7 hens (and maybe one of the little roos if he behaves). Is this too many?

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

My coop has an interior of 4' x 6' with an attached run of 6' x 10' that they have access to 24/7. They also get out to free range a few hours per day (might change in the winter because it's already dark when I get home from work).
I currently have 3 hens and 5 (6wk old) chicks...of which I believe 4 to be roos (which means freezer camp come december-ish). I would like to get at least 3 more hens...total then would be 7 hens (and maybe one of the little roos if he behaves). Is this too many?View attachment 1139888

It might be okay, but I personally would not put that many in there. It would be very crowded. Especially in winter,if they were all trying to crowd in the coop all day.

 

[Howard E]

8 birds in an area of 4 x 6 (24 sf) is 3 sf per bird, plus run. That is on the tight side, but would probably work. It goes beyond space, however, to include ventilation area, nest boxes, roost space, etc. "How many" is way more complicated than simple floor area.

Beyond that, my warped way of looking at "how many birds", assuming it is eggs you are after, is how many eggs do you want and go from there. Different breeds lay at different rates, but assuming a modest rate of 250 eggs per year (5 eggs per week per bird), that scales up to a ratio of about 1.5 birds per egg per day. So if you want 4 eggs per day average, 4 x 1.5 = 6 pullets of laying age, or adult birds who are still laying. Again, lots of adjustment factors, like age, breed, etc. but that is a ballpark rule of thumb to go by.

So how many eggs per day do you want, x 1.5. Where does that leave you?

 

[Penny spender]

Ah! Good way to think about it...not just floor space. Due to crappy weather, brooding hen, etc....Im currently only getting about 5-6 eggs/week from the 3 full grown hens I have. But soon the broody will start laying again too. I think I will limit myself to 2 new hens...and keeping a roo is still up for debate. So....that is now 6 hens and a possible roo. Much better math for my coop and table I think. Now....just to resist the temptation of the silver laced wyandottes!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The problems will arise in the already anticipated time when they will be confined in space that is too small (both coop and run). How old are the older birds?

 

[Penny spender]

The older birds are probably close to a year. Barnyard mix, dual purpose that I got in the spring and was told they were just starting to lay. They have filled out some in size..especially the broody lady (my avatar).

 

[song of joy]

During winter - when they're confined and not able to free-range - 4 or 5 would be the maximum number of hens I'd keep in the coop & run.