coop design

[jadeguppy]

I live on the upper gulf of mexico so cold is rarely a problem, heat is more of an issue. I'm building a new coop and will include ventalation. I know the rule of thumb is four sq ft per bird in the coop. I don't have any roosters and they have access to a protected run all day and a few hours free range on half an acre most days. I was planning to build a 4x8 coop with a 12x12 run. The run is mostly shaded under oak trees. Taking into consideration the climate here, no roosters, and no raising of chicks, how many hens will safely live in the coop? They will never be locked in the coop.

 

[jenniemig]

I live on the upper gulf of mexico so cold is rarely a problem, heat is more of an issue. I'm building a new coop and will include ventalation. I know the rule of thumb is four sq ft per bird in the coop. I don't have any roosters and they have access to a protected run all day and a few hours free range on half an acre most days. I was planning to build a 4x8 coop with a 12x12 run. The run is mostly shaded under oak trees. Taking into consideration the climate here, no roosters, and no raising of chicks, how many hens will safely live in the coop? They will never be locked in the coop.

I would think that you could house 10 comfortably. I live in North Florida so other than the occasional hurricane my birds will never be locked in their coop either. The guideline is 4sq ft in the coop but my opinion is that is for climates where the chickens would have to spend extended periods of time confined to the coop, my coop has 3.75 sq ft per hen.

 

[jadeguppy]

Good to hear. I'm at about the same latitude as you. I am minutes from the warm gulf winds that help stabalize the temp. I'm thinking of increasing the flock to ten, but do you think 12 will be safe?

 

[jenniemig]

Good to hear. I'm at about the same latitude as you. I am minutes from the warm gulf winds that help stabalize the temp. I'm thinking of increasing the flock to ten, but do you think 12 will be safe?

It may work if you can provide them with plenty of roost space so they're not crowded while sleeping. Honestly, the last time I had chickens I kept them in a TINY house and the run was too small as well. I was uneducated and did not know about the guidelines, somehow they all survived and never had a problem with picking or illness. This time each will have 3.75 sq ft in the coop and 18 sq ft in the run.