amount of birds for coop

[topher166]

I understand that 1 bird needs 3-4 square feet.. I have a shed wich i am converting to a coop that is about 8'X9' it is also 7' tall.. what I'm wondering is would the height make a difference? as I would have lots of room for roosts etc.? I'm also worried that it is a large area and as being in ontario it does get quite cold here in the winter.

 

[stellas mommy]

Honestly if you have a large run going off of the coop I wouldnt worry about the coop too much. Their all just going to huddle together anyways just make sure you clean it out more often. How many chickens are you wanting to put in there and what are the breeds do you have an idea yet?

 

[jackhorn01]

You are in the exact same boat as me man. I converted an old tin garage into my coop. It is a bit larger, but same situation none the less. If you want to think outta the box, do what I did. Stick to the 10 feet per bird rule and use the shed for your coop and your run. Its economical and works great. The front of the garage is open and I made a frame and put hardware cloth over it. The other 3 walls are solid and the roof is solid. They have the security they need and ventilation and light from the one open end. You don't have to have a seperate closed in structure for them to roost in with the set up we both have. Just put a nice roosting bar and their nestboxes in a darker area of the shed and a thick pile of hay somewhere for the witner and your good. Run and coop in one wala. If you do use this idea make sure you use hardware cloth for the one open end instead of poultry netting to keep out the animals since there will be no closed in coop for them at night.

 

[Rebel Soldier]

Game fowl seem to like the cold, especially the Hatch bloodlines. If you dont have heavy breeds, numerous roost are a good way to keep your birds happy and healthy. Be sure to keep a deep layer of sand and some sort of shavings ,etc. I prefer natural corn shucks both for their durability and causing the fowl to scratch ; therefore exercising while looking for their food. I even keep swinging roost in some of my multiple roost pens. Good luck! Let me know if I can be of any help. THE REBEL SOLDIER

 

[topher166]

was planning on 10-15 birds.. (layers) and in the spring another 10 meat birds.. thinking of building and "addition" for them. unless I have room in my shed/coop. my birds will be free range till spring - probably as cost of mesh is too much for right now.. save and get a couple bundles and start the frame in the spring. I'm planning on making a run arounnd the shed to allow them free range in and out when we are not home etc to be safe from predators and free range when we are home. predators here are not an issue during day light but we have LOTS AND LOTS of coyotes that like to hunt around me at night.. rats, and weasles are also a problem but coos, and skunks tend to like the town (about 10 miles south of me.. (I see one coon a month or so)

 

[stellas mommy]

I believe in my opinion that would be just fine

 

[7L Farm]

When you get chickens you'll see predators you think you didn't have. Trust me!! And everything likes to eat chicken & eggs. I have built my coops with half inch hardware cloth with an apron all the way around it. I thought great a dang lizard won't be able to get in this coop. My egg production fell off & sure enough I found a big snake that got his head caught in the rafters & died in the coop. I never looked up till I started smelling something dead. I have no idea how he got in there.

 

[jackhorn01]

Do you keep the fake eggs in your nest boxes for the snakes?