Chicken Coop is done , is it big enough??

[krcote]

Honestly, I go smaller than the recommended 4 sq ft per bird because it is cold most of the time here and they like huddle together inside the coop to stay warm at night. My smaller coops stay a more comfortable temp when there is less than 4 sq ft. It is very warm where you are, so I wonder if that many birds will be too warm when it is above say 70 degrees at night?

 

[Marie1234]

Quote:
Actually it's 4sq feet /bird. That's not 4x4 (4x4=16) it's 4x1 or 2x2. Does that sound more workable? And keep in mind it's a guide line for comfort not law. A well organized space can handle a few more and a poorly laid out space is a nightmare.

 

[sune42]

Not to mention the recommended space for roost is 1ft per standard size bird, so there isn't going to be enough room for roosts for all of them. I would look at adding to it if you gave yourself space to do that.

 

[newchicksnducks]

Going by the 4sq ft/chicken, your coop would need to be closer to 4x11'. Other sites suggest 2-4sq ft per chicken...Which would be at least 4x6. Since you're in sunny FL where the winters are not nearly as severe, and you will be keeping your chickens outside during the day, roosting at night, you should probably be able to get along with something in between the two. Remember though, bigger is always bigger in the chicken world

 

[rcentner]

judging by the palms in the background, it probably doesn't get soo cold that they hudle inside like they do here. But I had a couple 4 x 4 coops..in one I had 5 standard chickens (too small for them in the winter when they spent many days inside without coming outside). In the other I had 5 bantams and 1 standard...just fine for them. The std chickens were too cramped and pecked eachother a lot, the bantams are a close knit flock and did great. So....it might work out ok, but cleaning is another issue....how often did you want to clean this coop? I did my 4 x 4 's once a week and I definately could have done more often than that if I had time.