Coop/Run space for silkies, how many birds will fit comfortably?

[Puresilk]

We have one coop and run, and a storage building that isnt being used, that is gonna be a second coop, and I am gonna put a run off the back of it. The first coop and run are both 5'w x 6'l x 6' t. The one that is soon to be used is an 8' x 8' building, and I am gonna make the run 8' x 8' x 6t. How many silkies would fit well in these two coops? I was told 2 sq. ft. per silkie, but really, 32 birds in the 8 x 8? 15 birds in the 5 x 6? I am not doing a lot of breeding, they are mainly gonna be pets, we may attempt to breed a few for show. Any insight would be appreciated. Oh, also what is a good general cock to hen ratio? Say you have two cocks in one roost, would they be likely to fight, and would having an appropriate number of hens help with this? Thanks ahead of time...
matt

 

[sookiesmom]

Sorry that I can't help you with your questions, as I'm new to chickens, but I just had to add that you're gonna LOVE Silkies. I only have one right now & she is sooo hysterical with the noises she makes. As I read on one post, somebody said they act like aliens took over them (or something close to that, it was funnier the way she put it). They are just full of personality & such a cool bird to watch. So, good luck with your Silkies. You WON'T be disappointed.

 

[teach1rusl]

The 4 sq. ft. for LF, 2 sq. ft. for bantams is a minimum rule of thumb. My 5 girls are in a 6 x 8 coop, and I have no plans for more chickens. If you can give them more space, then please do it. They will enjoy the space, even moreso if you live in an area that gets winters, when they'll spend quite a bit of time inside. Speaking for myself, I woudn't house more than 6 or 7 silkies in the 5 x 6 shelter.

It recommended that each rooster have 10-12 hens. I tried a rooster with my five girls, and it was not working out well. They were staying stressed and their feathers were looking bad. I rehomed with a family that had 12 hens. Whether you could have two roosters in the same housing really depends on how many hens each will have AND the personalities of the roosters. Even with less hens, if both roosters are mild mannered, or one is obviously more submissive than the other, they may do fine. Or you could have two that are pretty aggressive, and 50 hens wouldn't make a difference...you really have to go by observation.

 

[Puresilk]

Teach, I appreciate the response...no one else has an opinion or advise? I am planning (or rather hoping) to end up with 8-10 hens and 1 rooster. I would like to have a pair of roosters (not right away), but I will have to get another pen and coop down the road. Would 9-11 birds be too cramped, with a 5x6 run and 5x6 roost?

 

[teach1rusl]

You might repost under a different heading...maybe "Silky Shelter Question" to get the attention of folks who "specialize" in silkies.

Sure...a 30 sq. ft. coop can house 9-11 bantam birds. My earlier suggestion was based on personal preference. But you're still giving them more than the minimum recommended amount of space. Would they be free ranging too, not just in the run?? 50 sq. ft. of run space would be the minimum recommended (5 sq. ft. per bantam bird) for 10 birds. Is there a way you could expand the run a bit? And a lot will come down to you observing them. If you end up with birds picking at each a lot, you'll know that they are too crowded. But if they seem happy and content, and get along well with each other, then things are most likely fine.

 

[Puresilk]

Teach, thanks again...they are not going to be free ranging, as there are neighbors dogs roaming around, and silkies cant fly...but I actually decided this evening I am going to extend my 5x6 run to a 5x10...so they will have 50 sq foot outside, and 30 inside, which will allow 2 roosters, and 4-5 hens apiece.....something else I am thinking on is adding a 'second story' so to speak...some of my silkies like to roost, and some dont...I am gonna go probably 18 inches off the floor, and put in a 2' x 4' platform with a ladder going to it and plenty of bedding on it, so that should actually increase the sq footage as far as floor space...kind of like a loft...anyone ever tried that with non flying birds?