Coop Size for 22 chickens

[Halfpasthen]

Just because they "fit" doesn't mean there won't be problems.

What about nest boxes?
Inside or hanging off the side?
Food and water inside or out?
Roof height from the floor?

A higher roof means more air volume which means less humid. Humidity and cold winters are a disaster waiting to happen.

I have 22 hens in an 8x14 coop mine spend quite a bit of time in that coop in winter. It gets pretty pooped up quickly.

That's another consideration.....cleaning and manure management.

The 30 square foot of space you currently have will work for 7 hens only.

I strongly recommend making part of all of the barn chicken space or building a 10x10 coop.

This is my thought also. I’m sure you could cram birds into a coop but that doesn’t mean you should.

The ammonia alone is going to be a huge issue. Not considering the behavioral issues that crop up when animals aren’t given the space they need.

 

[Danny188]

 

[Danny188]

Yea i have been telling my dad they need more space its better than me cramming them all into cages that they cant even turn around in like the egg industry does they are small right now so they have plenty of space

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Those boards look a bit narrow for roosting. Their feet might fit, but is there room for their butts? I mean, will there be when they are grown? Stand in front of a wall and then try to squat. See how your rear sticks out to balance you? They need room for their back ends as well as their feet. I might be wrong, but that's how it looks to me.

 

[rosemarythyme]

They're just going to be pooping on each other from the way the roosts look to me.

Simply put the entire coop is too small. I agree a 10x10 coop would be a better size and you're 70 sq ft off of that, which is quite a lot. Right now, while the chicks are little, you feel there's "plenty of space" but that will change very fast and if you don't address potential issues now, you'll have to deal with them later. Nevermind the ammonia and poop build up will be crazy in such a small space with that many birds - how much ventilation is in that coop? You'd need at least 22 sq ft in vents.

 

[Danny188]

Those boards look a bit narrow for roosting. Their feet might fit, but is there room for their butts? I mean, will there be when they are grown? Stand in front of a wall and then try to squat. See how your rear sticks out to balance you? They need room for their back ends as well as their feet. I might be wrong, but that's how it looks to me.

Yea those are temporary roosts till we figure something out.

 

[Danny188]

They're just going to be pooping on each other from the way the roosts look to me.

Simply put the entire coop is too small. I agree a 10x10 coop would be a better size and you're 70 sq ft off of that, which is quite a lot. Right now, while the chicks are little, you feel there's "plenty of space" but that will change very fast and if you don't address potential issues now, you'll have to deal with them later. Nevermind the ammonia and poop build up will be crazy in such a small space with that many birds - how much ventilation is in that coop? You'd need at least 22 sq ft in vents.

They're just going to be pooping on each other from the way the roosts look to me.

Simply put the entire coop is too small. I agree a 10x10 coop would be a better size and you're 70 sq ft off of that, which is quite a lot. Right now, while the chicks are little, you feel there's "plenty of space" but that will change very fast and if you don't address potential issues now, you'll have to deal with them later. Nevermind the ammonia and poop build up will be crazy in such a small space with that many birds - how much ventilation is in that coop? You'd need at least 22 sq ft in vents.

We are going to put a chicken wire window in, I will see about making it bigger soon, its inside our storage barn and we have room to make it bigger me and my dad could but probly make it 6 feet longer in half a days work that would make it a 12×5 if we did anything els we would run into problems. I though you only needed 2 sq feet per chicken and i know we have less than that right now but we will expand when they get bigger.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I'm really excited and pleased for your chickens that you're doing the research and learning what you need to do to make everything right for your hens. That shows initiative, maturity and responsibility. You'll do well in whatever you choose to do in life if you continue this way, young man!

Edited to add the old guy but I am actually a grandMOTHER. And why don't we have a Grandma emoji, she asked, disgruntedly? Lol

 

[Danny188]

I'm really excited and pleased for your chickens that you're doing the research and learning what you need to do to make everything right for your hens. That shows initiative, maturity and responsibility. You'll do well in whatever you choose to do in life if you continue this way, young man!

Edited to add the old guy but I am actually a grandMOTHER. And why don't we have a Grandma emoji, she asked, disgruntedly? Lol

Thank you im doing my best to make keep them happy we we figure something out with the coop soon thank you for helping me out.

 

[aart]

I had 22 birds in my 6x16 coop one winter, it was ugly, they were crowded and cranky.
Even with lots of roost and poop boards space and full open floor space, it was too many birds. But winter is wicked here and my large run is not protected from wind and snow, so during those days long snow storms they were stuck inside.

Welcome to BYC! @Danny188
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, (laptop version shown), then it's always there!