Coop/Roost advice!

[Gabtods]

We're new to chickens,a nd already failed with Chicken math we planned to get 3 hens ( one for each kiddo), but were advised to increase that number incase some turn into Roos, or one dies, etc. Sooo we ended up with 5. Now they're 2 weeks old and as cute as can be, but im worried if all 5 are hens, our coop is too small! We build a 5x3 coop (but one foot is laying boxes), so we're left with 4x3. I (now) know that people advise 5sq ft per chicken in the coop and 10 out, but I'm wondering is there is any way these 5 will all fit ( 1orpington, 1 golden comet, 2 barred rock, 1 jersey giant). Professionally build coops around here (in seattle), say that out coop should fit up to 8 hens, but that doesn't seem to be what people share here. Thoughts? ( Note we haven't built the run yet, so will be sure that is plenty large, but they will also free range when we're home)

Also with the roost, since 4 ft seems short for all 5chickens, is it better to have 2 roosts that run parallel, or create a "t" shaped roost? If parallel, should they me at the same height or different heights?
Note: we'll rebuild if we absolutely need to, I just can't seem to figure out what we have could be okay, or if it's a definite "no way that will work"

If anyone is willing to share a picture of their coops/ set ups, i'd love to see!

 

[OlympicChick]

Hi there! I'm right across the water from you. Yeah, the pre-built coops always overstate how many chickens they will hold. There are very few I have seen that seem actually worth it. Recently, my local Wilco had some coops that I had previously only seen for sale on Craigslist. This surprised me because until I saw these coops, Wilco had only ever had the typical ones you always see. These coops impressed me. They are still not huge, but seem a step up from what's normally out there. If you go to Craigslist and under Tacoma search for Chicken Man under For Sale, his stuff will come up. Here is one: https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/grd/d/the-original-chicken-man-custom-chicken/7124783516.html He is in Orting.

If you click on My Coop under my name, you can see my coop.

 

[Gabtods]

Hi there! I'm right across the water from you. Yeah, the pre-built coops always overstate how many chickens they will hold. There are very few I have seen that seem actually worth it. Recently, my local Wilco had some coops that I had previously only seen for sale on Craigslist. This surprised me because until I saw these coops, Wilco had only ever had the typical ones you always see. These coops impressed me. They are still not huge, but seem a step up from what's normally out there. If you go to Craigslist and under Tacoma search for Chicken Man under For Sale, his stuff will come up. Here is one: https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/grd/d/the-original-chicken-man-custom-chicken/7124783516.html He is in Orting.

If you click on My Coop under my name, you can see my coop.

Hi @OlympicChick
The original chicken man coops are the ones I was talking about actually. The dimensions of his perfect coop was 3x4 and he says it fits 3-8 urban chickens... but with the 5sqft per chicken rec, that would barely fit 3! Which I think is why I’m so confused!
How many chickens do you have in your coop? do your chicks seem comfortable?
we opted to build our own because of the wait time from the original chicken man, otherwise would have purchased one from him

 

[David61]

Coop? This term is misleading to me when used. I have seen "coops" that are nothing but a roost bar that is covered by a roof. It can hold as many chickens that can get on the roost. Other "coops" have room for a roost, nest boxes (inside or openings to outside boxes), food and water.
These small covered roost only coops are fine for covered runs or hard core free rangers. But I find that a coop needs to be big enough for a bad weather day or a shut in for secure keeping event.
So as long as every bird can get on the roost and you can shut the door and be secure against the boogie man, its a good coop.
Now you have to do the work and not miss shutting and opening the door because your coop is really just a secure roost not a sustainable living enclosed.

 

[Mamatomany123]

That wont fit all 5 and because you have a jersey giant, you will actually need more than 4sq ft per bird. IF you end up keeping all 5 I wouldnt do less than 30sq ft coop. I always suggest building as big as a run as possible.