Chicken coop big enough?

[clukcluckquack]

Hello, I am wondering if a 24 square foot chicken coop is big enough for 3 chcikens? That's 8 feet each, (not counting food and water) and i let them out to range on my property 1-2 times a week. I also give them lots of scraps (lettuce, spinach, strawberry tops, celery, ect.) About 3 times a week, if this matters. Im wondering because I'm thinking about getting a second, smaller chicken coop than the one I have and and baby chicks. Thanks!

 

[Foster's Freehold]

You could possibly go one more adult. Do you live in a climate where staying inside is gonna be the norm for a bad winter? If so, I wouldn't push it any further.
Why a smaller coop for chickies? They get bigger. Rule of thumb is to go as big as you can.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A 24 sq ft coop is plenty for 3 chickens, however it sounds like you have them locked in there most of the time? How big is your run or do you not have one at all? Free ranging twice a week isn't the same as having daily outdoor access.

 

[clukcluckquack]

Sorry, by 24 square feet I was talking about one that is the coop compartment on top of the run, so it included all of it. I live in a southern climate where it never really gets that cold. I was getting a second smaller chicken coop because i only want a few and I don't want to buy another big coop.

 

[IdyllwildAcres]

No.

Bigger is better. Size matters

Good luck

Gary

 

[Leigti]

Take it from personal experience, you will regret having a small coop. Get as big as you can.

 

[junebuggena]

When calculating coop space, you only count the enclosed shelter space. And you don't include nest boxes in your calculation. Portions that are open-air do not count as coop space.

 

[clukcluckquack]

I already have a large coop as I stated above. I am just wanting a small chicken coop for like 3 more chickens, and that I can raise some chicks in the beginning to replenish my flock for ones that have dies. I was not counting nest box space Btw. Thanks

 

[rosemarythyme]

Your existing flock should have at least 12 sq ft in the coop and then 30 sq ft in run space. If you get 3 more chicks, definitely don't go smaller than what you already have.

I'm wondering why you wouldn't want to integrate them all into one flock, instead of 2 separate coops and runs?

 

[Leigti]

It definitely would be easier to integrate, managing one flock and one Cooper is easier than two.