I had this problem when I first started. My coop is about 7x7 with a small covered dog run. I first got 5 pullets. I new I eventually wanted them to free range. I got the girls at a chicken auction when they were about 12 weeks old. For about the first ten days I only let them out into the run. After that I started letting them out into the fenced in area around the coop for about a week. When we were at home I let them wonder the yard (which they didn't do much of at first!) Now they roam the whole 2 acres. They lay eggs in the coop throughout the day and roam the yard also. About sundown they all head back to the coop. I hardly used any feed until here recently since the grass isn't green anymore.
We started with five, lost one to the dog and then got two more. I don't think I would have anymore thank six to eight. I think anymore than that would start to be more time consuming during the winter months. They're pretty maintenance free during the most of the year, now that it is cold their coop gets dirtier and stinkier quicker. I probably over clean the coop. I poop scoop about every other day and try to change all the pine shavings every one to two months. I am amazed at how much poop is in the coop now that they are hanging out in there more.
Hope that helps.
We started with five, lost one to the dog and then got two more. I don't think I would have anymore thank six to eight. I think anymore than that would start to be more time consuming during the winter months. They're pretty maintenance free during the most of the year, now that it is cold their coop gets dirtier and stinkier quicker. I probably over clean the coop. I poop scoop about every other day and try to change all the pine shavings every one to two months. I am amazed at how much poop is in the coop now that they are hanging out in there more.
Hope that helps.
