Coop Size for 22 chickens

[Bhubbard]

I have 22 in 4x8. Automatic door with photo sensor. They come out first thing and do not return until night. I started with 3 nesting boxes. Added 3 more they still only lay in 3. Chickens will do what they want and as long as you turn that space into roosting for nights you are good. My chickens were out all winter even down in the -25 degree temps we had. They are hardy animals and we do not give them enough credit for being able to care for themselves. Mine free range on 5 acres during day. Currently have 5 buff Orpington. 1 Silkie roo, 3 Wyandot, 3 barred rock, 4 RIR, 4 Delaware , 2 light Brahma. I have 3 roosts running 8 ft and 4 roosts running 4 ft. Staggered all above 4 ft with mini roosts to jump up to top. Good luck!

 

[Danny188]

I have 22 in 4x8. Automatic door with photo sensor. They come out first thing and do not return until night. I started with 3 nesting boxes. Added 3 more they still only lay in 3. Chickens will do what they want and as long as you turn that space into roosting for nights you are good. My chickens were out all winter even down in the -25 degree temps we had. They are hardy animals and we do not give them enough credit for being able to care for themselves. Mine free range on 5 acres during day. Currently have 5 buff Orpington. 1 Silkie roo, 3 Wyandot, 3 barred rock, 4 RIR, 4 Delaware , 2 light Brahma. I have 3 roosts running 8 ft and 4 roosts running 4 ft. Staggered all above 4 ft with mini roosts to jump up to top. Good luck!

thank you for your feedback finaly somone saying my coop size is ok i got the dimensions wrong its actually a 5×7 so pretty much the same size as yours!

 

[rosemarythyme]

thank you for your feedback finaly somone saying my coop size is ok i got the dimensions wrong its actually a 5×7 so pretty much the same size as yours!

Don't assume that because one person has fit as many chickens into a similar space that yours will work out the same. Not saying it can't, but climate, specific set up, breeds etc. have a lot to do with it, as do the 5 acres their chickens have access to.

 

[Danny188]

Don't assume that because one person has fit as many chickens into a similar space that yours will work out the same. Not saying it can't, but climate, specific set up, breeds etc. have a lot to do with it, as do the 5 acres their chickens have access to.

same climate and we have an acre or so of yard and woods

 

[aart]

Don't assume that because one person has fit as many chickens into a similar space that yours will work out the same. Not saying it can't, but climate, specific set up, breeds etc. have a lot to do with it, as do the 5 acres their chickens have access to.

Free ranging is 'great' to expand your space....until it's not.... extreme weather event or worse a predator finds you, you'll have a mighty crowded coop. Best of cLuck.

 

[HopeSprings]

I learned about poop boards and using 2x4s for roosts here on BYC. My poop boards are 2’ wide and 30” off the floor. I like to think this gives my flock a little more square footage. And sifting the poop out of the sand on the boards every day is kinda zen!

 

[Danny188]

View attachment 1858725 I learned about poop boards and using 2x4s for roosts here on BYC. My poop boards are 2’ wide and 30” off the floor. I like to think this gives my flock a little more square footage. And sifting the poop out of the sand on the boards every day is kinda zen!

lol thanks for the idea i will probably incorporate that into my coop

 

[slippednfell]

What kind of climate do you live in?

The reason I ask is in a mild climate where the chickens are rarely or never locked up...you can make a smaller coop work.

But... if you live where there is lots of snow, cold blowing winds in a long winter etc... then you want to go as huge as possible and a roofed run is a huge help... or connect them all to a greenhouse.

But... for mild weather places... it is 4 square feet per bird MINIMUM. So 22 chickens need a 10x10 coop. That is a bit more than 4 square feet per bird... but an 8x10 is too little.

Would an 8 x 10 work if 16 out of 24 were bantams?

 

[Bhubbard]

Free ranging is 'great' to expand your space....until it's not.... extreme weather event or worse a predator finds you, you'll have a mighty crowded coop. Best of cLuck.

Everyone on here has had to deal with predators one way or another. They will strike no matter how predator proof you believe your coop to be. Know your flock and your coop and they will thrive. It’s work and a chore for a reason. They just happen to be worth it. A few weeks ago the screen on my window was ripped out. Luckily I had hardwire cloth on inside. That day I added more to exterior of window. Point is they live outside and variables will always force you to adapt. Yes weather also creates an issue. It was so dark after a front blew in my girls didn’t get in before door shut them out. I was out in a downpour with a tornado warning putting them in the man door. I got them all but one. I thought I lost her. Given her ability to care for herself she found a place to hunker down for night and survived storm and predators. She was with the flock the next day! Don’t be lazy with your commitment and you will be just fine!

 

[Alaskan]

Would an 8 x 10 work if 16 out of 24 were bantams?

That is better... especially if they are smaller bantams... since it would give you 4 square feet per standard hen...and 3 square feet per bantam.

But do remember.... if you have long cold winters ... or long seasons of "nasty " (like 2 months of torrential rainfall every fall) then way bigger...or a roofed run... is better.

Bigger area just means you have way more cushion... for so many things.... 1. easier to add new flock members if there is extra space for the new guys to hide
2. Easier to lock them up for a few days due to a tree destroying the fence, a new stray dog, or nasty weather
3.way less smell and cleanup needed because there is less poop per square foot
4. Easier for a broody hen to successfully flock raise...etc.