Another "How Many Chickens Fit in Here?" Post

[TaraontheCoast]

We're fine starting with 2-3. We live in an urban city and while we do have a yard for free range activity we can't necessarily dedicate space to a big ole coop and run. Thanks for all the fast responses!

 

[trumpeting_angel]

One thing I have learned from my limited chicken raising experience is that the manufactures of these prebuilt small coops is that they over estimate the number of birds they can house.

You’re too polite! They lie, and take advantage of newbie chicken owners, who have to deal with behavior problems and diseases as a result!

Don’t get me going. I seem to be in a mood tonight!

 

[Folly's place]

I'd use the whole thing as a coop, and add a run. Face the open side south, and add a wall, even if doubled plastic sheeting, to the north side. Plan to make the thing dig-proof, and reinforce it so critters can't just tear it apart.
It's a typical farm store design, actually pretty miserable.
It's a start!
Mary

 

[gtaus]

We're fine starting with 2-3. We live in an urban city and while we do have a yard for free range activity we can't necessarily dedicate space to a big ole coop and run. Thanks for all the fast responses!

I think you have a wonderful setup there with that coop and run. Starting off with 2-3 chickens is probably a great idea because you will find out if you enjoy tending to animals. Where I live in northern Minnesota, it's easy to care for small livestock in the spring/summer/fall, but our winters tend to be long and cold. That will either make you or break you in terms of your dedication to raising animals.

Another thing I have learned in my limited chicken raising experience is the good people here on BYC forums will always tell you to build the coop bigger and provide more run space. And, many people here on BYC forums consider their chickens as pets, and not so much livestock. That is fine. But consider that commercial chickens may live their entire short lives in a small wire cage about 10 inches by 16 inches. I have some of those old commercial 50 year old cages from a chicken farmer. I would never use those cages for my chickens, but it just puts things into a perspective for me on how much better my chickens are treated.

I think you are off to a great start.

 

[123RedBeard]

One thing I have learned from my limited chicken raising experience is that the manufactures of these prebuilt small coops is that they over estimate the number of birds they can house.

I feel like being "nice" tonight ...

Maybe ... just maybe they are using the typical, required by law of about 1 square foot per chicken for laying hens in the caged commercial egg factories ... where the chickens just eats, drinks, poops, lays an egg ... not much of a "happy hen" life, if you ask me!

Also if you asked me ... (and I'm gonna try to remain "nice")

The often repeated/quoted 4sq ft coop, 10 sq ft run is also just too tiny ... and does not really provide a "happy hen" experience ...

Since you asked me ... I like to see 6-10 sq ft per bird in the coop, and 100-1,500 sq ft per bird in the run ... enclosed with electric fence too please!

 

[16Chickens Keeper]

You could also get bantam breeds to put in there, id put in Seramas

 

[SurferchickinSB]

I'm inheriting a coop from a friend (we're first-timers), and I know the rule of 4 square feet per chicken.

That said, I measured the entire space (coop and attached run), so Im honestly unsure of the actual coop's size.

It won't get delivered until next week sometime so I can't measure again. Obviously I can wait until it arrives to decide how many birds we're getting, but would love some thoughts. Are gravitating toward non-bantam breeds.

The entire coop/run here is 6 feet long and 4 feet wide. I didn't measure the height.

Sorry for the picture. My friend snapped it, as the coop is just sitting in her driveway. Thanks!
View attachment 1823927

I would only put two in there and it seems like they would be sad in such a small space.

 

[TaraontheCoast]

Well, I can't look a gift coop in the mouth (haha) but I will definitely be posting more photos once it's home to make sure it's properly critter-proof and safe. It does have an external nesting box. The girls will get plenty of free range time in the yard, as my partner owns his own bakery which operates out of out house (and overlooks the yard). And, if we find 2-3 chickens are miserable in there when they are put away, we will reassess.

 

[gtaus]

Well, I can't look a gift coop in the mouth...The girls will get plenty of free range time in the yard... And, if we find 2-3 chickens are miserable in there when they are put away, we will reassess.

I think you were very lucky to get that coop and run. Allowing the chickens to free range during the day will be good for them. And yeah, if it doesn't work out, try something different. I know people spend big dollars on these farm store coops, and you got your's gifted? Fantastic. Best of luck.

 

[aart]

It won't get delivered until next week sometime so I can't measure again. Obviously I can wait until it arrives to decide how many birds we're getting, but would love some thoughts. Are gravitating toward non-bantam breeds.

Where in the world is 'Caspar'? Google can't find it.

I would think that 4 square feet for each grown chicken in the coop is a good rule of thumb.

It might be, until the dead of winter hits and they can't go outside. Chicken Cabin Fever is real....and it's Ugly.