Chickens vs Space

[Trodore]

I have an area roughly 20ft by 70ft for a run and the same for coop space. When they get bigger they have about 4 acers to roam on. How many birds would be too many for this area?

 

[Monkeybean415]

Standard requirements are 4 sq feet in coop and 10 sq feet outside. So if going by that and your measurements it would be 350 with your coop space but 150 for your run space.

 

[rapturecidal]

nevermind i missed the coop part

 

[Trodore]

Now in the winter there could be days in a row they may not go outside. Should I adjust the coop space to give them more room, or is closer better? I live just North of Flint and the winters can get bad here.

 

[Percheron chick]

Can you cover part of the run to give them a snow free outside area? My chickens still want to be outside in the winter but they don't care for the snow.

 

[Trodore]

My plan is to breed Black Sex Links. I plan to have about 4 coops

1 a hen coop for eggs, about 30 chickens. 20x20 run and 20x20 coop
2 a breeding coop for 1 Buckeye and 5 Barred Rocks. 10x10 run and 10x10 coop
3 a spring coop for extra roosters I hatch, 30 to 40 birds possibly 20x20 run and 20x20 coop
4 a spring coop for extra hens I hatch. 30 to 40 birds possibly. 20x20 run and 20x20 coop

I plan to sell what I can to the locals and sell eggs to help cover my feed cost. Then slaughter for meat, starting with the roosters.

During the winter, I only plan to have the hen house and breeding house open. I do plan to cover their runs and give them a compost pile to play on, this will be used for my garden that next year.


Thank you all again for your advise. I am not sure I would be enjoying my flock as much as I do without people like you.

 

[sjturner79]

Unless they free range every day you runs need to be at least double you coop space.

If you have a lot of rain or snow at least a quarter of your run should be roofed, and have a wall on the side the prevailing weather comes from.