coop size help

[roady]

Hello,

We have had our new chicks about a week now and it is time to start the coop. We currently have 10 chicks that will call the new coop home.

I have been reading and looking at coops for a couple of weeks now and I think I like this one the best. I am thinking of making it 16' X 8' instead of the 12' X 6' that the OP made his. The coop would end up being around 4' X 8' with the run being 12' X 8'. They would only be in the run when we are not home. When we are home and can watch them we will let them free range on our 9 acres. Would this size be good for my 10 chicks doing this new to me chicken math or should I make the coop part 8' X 8' ?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/the-palace

Thanks for any help or suggestions.

 

[Keltara]

The rule of thumb to go by is 4 sq. ft. per bird for the interior of the coop, and 10 sq. ft. per bird for the run. Is there any way that you can increase the size of your coop and run? About the chicken math...it is very true that you will need to factor it in. If your coop and run are too small for the amount of birds you have, they will become stressed. There is also a likely hood that they will become aggressive toward one another. When they are stressed, their immune systems weaken and their egg laying is compromised. Please reconsider the size of your coop. In my coop, I have 2 birds too many for the size of the coop. The only reason I'm okay with it, is that my birds free range 365 days per year from dawn until dusk. Also, I have all Buff Orpingtons and they are a very docile breed. I keep their food and water in their run and the only thing they enter the "coop" for is to lay an egg or go to sleep. There is no way that I could ever add any more girls to my flock. I have a 4x4 coop and 6 hens. I wish we had built a much bigger coop so I could add more to our flock. My advise to you?....build big for room to grow! Good luck!!

Kelly

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