Coop size for silkies

[Momma 2 silkies]

I have a silly question about a coop for my chicks. I have 10 silkies that are roughly a month old, still living in a brooder in my house. I want to build them a coop but I don't know what size they need. They get a few hours of outside time right now but I still bring them in at night. I live in Indiana and need to know the best size for them and any good ideas how to protect them from the elements come winter. New to chickens and this site and thought I would ask for some help. Thanks in advance for any help and information you might have for me.

 

[Snow mom]

The rule of thumb on this forum is 4 sq feet of coop per bird plus 10 sq feet of run. So for 10 chicks you'd need 40 sq feet of coop and 100 sq feet of run. Maybe with bantams you could get away with a bit less but I imagine you are looking at a bare minimum of 20 sq feet of coop (4x5?) and I'd still go with a pretty good size run. I'd be interested in what others that keep bantams will say. We are building a coop that is 14 sq feet (plus 2 external nest boxes) and 40 sq feet of run for 4-5 bantams.

 

[Momma 2 silkies]

I was thinking a 4 x 8 coop with nest boxes outside and I plan to free range them in a huge pasture. The smaller enclosure is 10 x 10 for night time and then free range the rest of the time. The 10 x 10 is movable also. But I am still open to any more info or help. Thank you for your input by the way.

 

[Sweetlilbaby]

I have a question (hope you don't mind me asking it here) I have 1 standard sized chicken, and then the rest are silkie mix's (going to be small). I was thinking of getting a 7.5 by 7.5 ft dog kennel and putting a top on it. Would that be a big enough run for 6 of them?
I don't want it to big as I plan to move it every 2 to 3 days around my yard so they get fresh grass/weeds, and then in the early spring going to put them over my garden area for a whole month to really fertilize it.
I also on nice days like to sit in the yard and let the chickens free range as long as they do not try to leave my yard (i live in the city)