Coop Chicken Math, wife bought more ...

[drinkoj]

and I don't know if my coop can handle them.

Coop: 4x8 this build https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/timms-medium-coop.65952/

I currently have 5 Leghorns and 2 Iso Browns that are 7 to 8 weeks old, and wife just bought 4 more Iso Brown chicks from Tractor Supply today. Can my coop handle them or do we need to find them another home?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You may have 3 more birds than it can hold but if they are only in there at night, it can work.
Just keep an eye on them.

 

[rosemarythyme]

How much linear roost space do you have? Assuming your coop build page is up to date and it's just the 1 bar, you'll need to add another, either across the 4' span, or a second 8' long one 12" (or more) out from the first (which would require expanding the poop board as well).

How much run space, or are you planning on free ranging all day?

 

[drinkoj]

How much linear roost space do you have? Assuming your coop build page is up to date and it's just the 1 bar, you'll need to add another, either across the 4' span, or a second 8' long one 12" (or more) out from the first (which would require expanding the poop board as well).

How much run space, or are you planning on free ranging all day?

No free ranging. Connecting the coop to a 10x10x6 dog kennel .

 

[NatJ]

I don't think you're going to have enough space when they all grow up.

 

[Chicken Heel]

Keep in mind that Leghorns can be a bit on the peckish side but your 132 total square feet of coop/run space for 11 chickens should be okay.

 

[NatJ]

Keep in mind that Leghorns can be a bit on the peckish side but your 132 total square feet of coop/run space for 11 chickens should be okay.

Will they be able to go out in the run during all waking hours? Because I don't think that shutting 11 of them in the 4x8 coop will work well--I'm worried about rainy days, hurricanes, if a predator learns how to get into the run and the chickens must be shut in the coop while it's getting fixed, the time the whole family gets sick and no-one opens the chicken door until noon...

If the run is predator-proof and weather-proof enough that the chickens can have free access at all times, I agree they will probably be OK. I just assume the run is not really usable ALL the time.

 

[drinkoj]

Will they be able to go out in the run during all waking hours? Because I don't think that shutting 11 of them in the 4x8 coop will work well--I'm worried about rainy days, hurricanes, if a predator learns how to get into the run and the chickens must be shut in the coop while it's getting fixed, the time the whole family gets sick and no-one opens the chicken door until noon...

If the run is predator-proof and weather-proof enough that the chickens can have free access at all times, I agree they will probably be OK. I just assume the run is not really usable ALL the time.

Thanks to all responding as this is a VERY hot discussion at the moment as fever has struck my wife. S

The run will be as predator proof as I can make it with the hardware cloth, welded wire over the top and down the sides, actually covered run, chain link fencing, vinyl fence sheets, and concrete blocks that I have. It won’t be perfect but they will have the run throughout the waking hours and they should be pretty darn safe. But they will not have 24/7 run access

 

[rosemarythyme]

No free ranging. Connecting the coop to a 10x10x6 dog kennel .

Yeah it's going to be tight. It MAY work out or it may not. Don't be surprised if you see some aggression or picking issues and be ready to take action (sell/give away birds) if needed. And obviously, do not add more birds unless you're able to expand both coop and run.

 

[aart]

Not a good idea to add more, IMO.
She may not be happy to see bloodied chickens.