coop size help!!

[parisbarbiedaisyandluna]

So I live in Minnesota with four ladies I dearly love... so of course I want more! Currently they live in a just under 4x4 coop and attached 6x18 run. I would love to get more chickens (like two or three) but I am wondering if it would be in my ladies best interests to bump up the flock. Any suggestions?

 

[Wrigley62]

Hi, we just recently had a discussion on coop and run size vs. amount of chickens. It is my belief that 2 to 4 square feet per bird for the coop and 8 to 10 square feet per bird for the run. You WILL find out that everybody has their own opinion. Who is right and who isn't??? You will find out that everybody thinks they are right. This is just what I have learned from "Seasoned Chicken People". This may not be right or wrong for you, it's just what I have learned from my own experiences.
I say, give your girls all the room you can spare. Give them food, fresh water. Protect them from predators like you would any pet and show them alot of attention.

Good luck and enjoy your girls.

Wrigley62

 

[parisbarbiedaisyandluna]

thank you!

 

[teach1rusl]

IMO, it's in your hens' best interest to give them as much space as possible, so adding more birds to an already small coop wouldn't do that. Could you do it? Sure, but just be prepared for the possible (not certain) consequences in behavorial challenges that often come with cramped spaces.
I'm looking at your area - don't you guys get decent snows??? Maybe I'm wrong on that though...but if you do get decent snows, know that chickens do not like going out into snow, so they will most likely spend a lot of time indoors at those times. Winter time is when most people see behavioral issues w/their birds due to overcrowding. Folks in year round mild weather areas don't have those issues nearly as much, because their birds are outdoors year-round. If your run is roofed to keep snow out, that will help.
Good luck with what you decide.