Coop build & chicken math.

[Kchud22]

So I'm in the process of building my coop. I am converting an old shed. I going to have an area for the chickens and an area to store their feed and supplies that will have access to the nesting boxes without having to go into the actual coop. The main part is going to be 6' x 7' and over 8' high. I plan on building a run that will be 8' x 8' I currently have 6 chicks. I have only been on here for less than 24hrs and I have been told about the this "chicken math" problem that I will most likely catch. So my question is how many chickens can I comfortably fit with my above described setup? Thanks in advance for all the help.

 

[DobieLover]

So I'm in the process of building my coop. I am converting an old shed. I going to have an area for the chickens and an area to store their feed and supplies that will have access to the nesting boxes without having to go into the actual coop. The main part is going to be 6' x 7' and over 8' high. I plan on building a run that will be 8' x 8' I currently have 6 chicks. I have only been on here for less than 24hrs and I have been told about the this "chicken math" problem that I will most likely catch. So my question is how many chickens can I comfortably fit with my above described setup? Thanks in advance for all the help.

Double the size of the run and I'd limit that setup to 10 birds. Once you start building a see just how little space 10 sq ft per bird in the run is, you'll regret your decision to follow that guideline.

 

[Kchud22]

Double the size of the run and I'd limit that setup to 10 birds. Once you start building a see just how like little space 10 sq ft per bird in the run is, you'll regret your decision to follow that guideline.

If my math is right my run will be 64 Sq ft so I'm good for the 6 that I have. But if I'm not able to resist the powers of chicken math then I will need a bigger run? So just build bigger to start with.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

"More" is almost always better - except that "more" chickens will inevitably require "more" of "more".


Since you are working with a reclaimed shed, you can't easily adjust htat to gain "more", but as Dobie said, doublng the size of the run helps you fit the "thumb rules" for 10 birds. You didn't list your climate/location, but if you happen to be in one of the "right" places, you might be able to do some rather radical surgery on the shed, plus the larger run, and size up to 12 birds, but that's highly location dependent.

Even the thumb rules themselves bow to location and climate conditions, which may favor larger coops (or not). More run space is always better. Abundance is a social lubricant.

 

[Kchud22]

I am in western New York. Cold and snowy winters

 

[Sally PB]

More run space is always better. Abundance is a social lubricant.

More space allows for more options. For integration, if you do get more birds. For separating out "problem" birds. For more stuff in the run, which helps alleviate boredom, and boredom can lead to numerous issues.

More space in the coop allows for more options too. Cold snowy winters like you have might mean that the birds will want to/have to spends days inside in the winter. Being cooped up can lead to behavioral problems in the coop too.

Can you utilize some of your 8' of vertical space and make sturdy shelves/cupboards to hold some of the supplies, leaving more space for the coop? All that vertical space will help with ventilation, though, that's for sure.

 

[linguini]

If you predator-proof your 8x8 run and cover with a roof or tarp on top, you can use it as an all year round enclosed run for your 6 chickens. And if you can let them roaming out of the covered run to an extended area during the day and/or when weather permits, you'll have very happy chickens!

 

[aart]

More space in the coop allows for more options too. Cold snowy winters like you have might mean that the birds will want to/have to spends days inside in the winter. Being cooped up can lead to behavioral problems in the coop too.

This^^^
Especially if your run will not be protected from the weather.

I am in western New York.

Welcome to BYC! @Kchud22
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I am in western New York. Cold and snowy winters

This argues strongly for a larger coop and a covered/roofed run.

 

[mowin]

I am in western New York. Cold and snowy winters

Hello fellow NY'er. I have 2 coops/runs. Both coops are 6x8 with 8x12 runs. One houses 6 hens, the other 8 and a roo. This winter was very cold and windy, lots of small snow storms. I had some pecking issues in the coop with the roo because they just wouldn't leave the coop. The other coop no issues at all. Moral of the story, don't overcrowd. Oh ya, the reason for the 2nd coop. Chicken math. It's real.