Chicken Coop

[activia]

OK so its almost time to take my chickens home! Someone build me a nice coop, I requested 12 sq ft but for some reason it ended up being 10sq feet with 4 nest boxes. I'm going to have 6 chickens (3 americana's and 3 RIR's) Is it unreasonable to house them in 10sq ft? They will have a run during the day and free range when I'm home on the weekends (although I have a large fenced in yard they will never be outside of).

 

[activia]

anyone??

 

[activia]

 

[cafarmgirl]

10 SQUARE feet? As in like 2' x 5' or similar?

6 hens in only 10 square feet are going to be really crowded for floor space, especially once you add the feeder/waterer. I personally would only put two, maybe three hens in that amount of space. If you live in a mild climate where they will be inside very little that will help. If you have any kind of weather at all where they are going to want to get inside then I'd look into making more space for them. Maybe a covered run?

I always tend to go overboard on space for chickens just to try to avoid pecking problems and bullying.

 

[activia]

It's 36"x 42". I live in Easter Mass, so winters can be harsh. I wasn't planning on a covered run but I might be able to provide it, especially for the winter months. That's a bummer. I specifically asked for a 4X3 and he build it SMALLER then that.. as I was thinking 2ft per hen was the recommended size. Grr now I need it in 2 weeks.

 

[Jakoda]

I'm no expert, but I think that's to small as well, even tho it's a lovely coop! Maybe the person who built it can add on to it? My inside space for 8 chickens is going to be 4 x 12..

 

[Lots A Cluckin]

yes 10 sq ft for 6 chicks is WAY too small 6 chickens need at LEAST 12 sq ft and that is ONLY if they are let outside during the day and if they are going to be in the coop 24/7 they need at least 24 sq ft.

 

[activia]

Thanks all! I have decided not to get it.

I did see this one: http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2939789983.html

and this one:
http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2894817442.html

and this one:
http://providence.craigslist.org/grq/2945215476.html

Any opinions?

 

[cafarmgirl]

Thanks all! I have decided not to get it.

I did see this one: http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2939789983.html

and this one:
http://providence.craigslist.org/grd/2894817442.html

and this one:
http://providence.craigslist.org/grq/2945215476.html

Any opinions?

Out of these three, I'd probably go with coop #2. #3 has no ventilation at all that I could see.

 

[activia]

Thanks, any problems with #1? #1 is larger and is almost half the price. They want $600 for #2!!! 4X4.