Coop size needed?

[karissapaul]

By the way, 3x4 is only 12 square feet, and enough for NO MORE than 3 chickens. 3x5 is 15 square feet and a tight squeeze for 4 birds.

dude. fine. 5x6?

 

[JDN]

Thank you. We're in the hot state of Texas. Leaning toward a more open air concept, but that is a great point for the winter.

How secure/covered is the run? Is this a situation where you'll be locking them in the coop every night?

I have 5 in a single IBC tote coop, 15 sf. But, they're in a 200 SF run, that is covered, and I don't have snow in any frequency here. The run I ended up making more secure than the coop. They mostly go into the coop to roost. During the day they hang out in the run or chill underneath the coop for shade. If I were to confine them to the coop and let them in and out, then I think I'd want something bigger. In TX you could probably do a goat shelter/run-in and cover the open end with welded wire/hardware cloth.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If you have the space for it I would size up for a little more than the 7 chicks you have (unless you're absolutely sure you'll never get more than 7, i.e. restricted by zoning).

If you're set on 7 chicks, I'd do a minimum of 28 sq ft + space for nest boxes, feeders, etc. Since lumber comes in 8' increments a 4x8 would probably be a good size and gives a tiny bit more wiggle room without much extra cost. And since you're in a hotter climate consider doing a more open air type coop, where some of the walls are wire mesh/partially wire mesh, to allow for a lot more ventilation than standard windows.

 

[aart]

Unless your run has shade make it big enough to get out of the sun also. Mine hang out in the coop during the hottest part of the day and its still may. They move around finding the coolest and most ventilated areas. Bigger gives you and them more options.

Excellent points. ...and you might think about raising the coop for some good deep all day shade, the bigger the coop the better this will work. But raise it enough for you to get under there if necessary...24" minimum for me.

 

[Hopperkiller]

Excellent points. ...and you might think about raising the coop for some good deep all day shade, the bigger the coop the better this will work. But raise it enough for you to get under there if necessary...24" minimum for me.

Both of us are in north central texas on opposite sides of dallas and already getting mid 90's temps. I do believe summers has started here and last till deer season.

 

[llombardo]

It's suggested you have 4 sq ft per bird. I give mine a little extra because in our cold cold Utah winters, there are days the chickens won't leave their coop. I open the door, they see 2' of snow and won't set foot outside.

My thought process is in cold winters(in the Chicago area) that they would huddle together no matter how much room they have to keep warm. The summers are going to be more difficult. I'm finishing up the enclosure and they will soon be outside. Yesterday it hit 90 and they were panting inside. Nothing a little watermelon didn't help but I thought oh boy, they are going to be miserable once outside.

 

[1acrebackyard]

Thank you everyone! You have given great advice and I appreciate it. Lots to consider that I hadn't thought of before!!

 

[1acrebackyard]

Both of us are in north central texas on opposite sides of dallas and already getting mid 90's temps. I do believe summers has started here and last till deer season.

Yes!! And looks like we're reaching low 100's by this week