Chicken roosts problem

[ChickenDude12345]

How large is the coop itself?

In addition to inadequate roost space, it doesn't look like you have the space that 12 chickens will need as adults.

For each adult, standard-sized hen you need:

• 4 square feet in the coop,
• 10 square feet in the run,
• 1 linear foot of roost,
• 1/4 of a nest box,
• And 1 square foot of permanent, 24/7/365 ventilation, preferably located over the birds' heads when they're sitting on the roost.

So a flock of 12 needs:

• 48 square feet in the coop.
• 12 feet of roost
• 120 square feet in the run.
• 12 square feet of ventilation.
• 3 nest boxes.

The coop is 8 x 4. I have three Nas boxes and I’m going to fix the roost situation and make it 12 feet of roost space. They will be free ranging all day if that makes a difference on anything.

 

[3KillerBs]

8x4 is enough for 8 chickens. Remember that these are recommended minimums.

Here's a quote from an article I'm working on:

But I free range/have a huge run and my chickens only use the coop to sleep and lay eggs! Why do I need all that space inside?

You might not. As I've said, these are guidelines, not hard-and-fast rules.

If you never close the pop door so that your coop and run function together as a fully integrated system that is the equivalent of a huge, open-air coop, then your flock might be just fine for years, even decades.

If you are always out there to open the pop door at the crack of dawn or you have an ultra-reliable automatic door so that your chickens never lack access to their free range territory during the daylight hours, then your flock might be just fine for years, even decades.

If you live in a mild climate where chickens can always go out into their run/range and are never kept in by snow or storms, then your flock might be just fine for decades. People who keep chickens in places in tropical and subtropical climates do successfully go without a coop at all, just offering a covered roost and some nestboxes.

But when something happens ...

When a determined predator moves in and breaks through the fencing so that you have to confine the flock to the coop itself so that you can fix the run,

When an extreme weather event prevents your chickens from leaving shelter for days,

When an emergency calls you out of town and you can't find someone willing to be there at the crack of dawn to open the pop door,

Then you could have a mess on your hands.

Which brings us back to the issue of flexibility and options. Any time you push a system hard against it's limits you have to count on everything remaining stable -- exactly as it is without any changes. How well that's likely to work depends on your specific circumstances. You may never encounter an unfortunate circumstance -- some people DO hit the lottery, after all.

 

[Brooks_]

They will be free ranging all day if that makes a difference on anything.

To a degree. My coop is "technically" too small. They have enough roost and nesting space inside and I added a cattle panel hoop (started as two panels but after Elsa passed by I added another) as an extension of the coop for rain protection. With my climate, they can utilize the run all day, every day. Your climate will matter if your coop is "big enough".

 

[Brooks_]

Also, just because they have a foot each to roost, doesn't mean they'll use a foot each. Mine group up into what looks like little cliques. But that is their choice. Without the choice, there will be problems.

 

[ChickenDude12345]

8x4 is enough for 8 chickens. Remember that these are recommended minimums.

Here's a quote from an article I'm working on:

Very true thanks for the advice/help

 

[ChickenDude12345]

Also, just because they have a foot each to roost, doesn't mean they'll use a foot each. Mine group up into what looks like little cliques. But that is their choice. Without the choice, there will be problems.

Ok

 

[ChickenDude12345]

To a degree. My coop is "technically" too small. They have enough roost and nesting space inside and I added a cattle panel hoop (started as two panels but after Elsa passed by I added another) as an extension of the coop for rain protection. With my climate, they can utilize the run all day, every day. Your climate will matter if your coop is "big enough".

Yeah

 

[3KillerBs]

Without the choice, there will be problems.

That should be a chicken-keeping motto!

Chickens seem to do best when we give them options.

 

[ChickenDude12345]

That should be a chicken-keeping motto!

Chickens seem to do best when we give them options.

I really appreciate all the help I will try to fix this

 

[perkolator]

If I was modifying this, I'd likely just go side to side with three equal height roost bars, perhaps one additional lower rung as a midway jump point to get up. Would likely use something larger than those small dowels