Coop size question yet again!

[Cryss]

I'm curious and a bit confused.
I know the standard for a coop is 4sqft per bird. However I keep seeing comments that you can keep more birds in smaller areas IF they only sleep and lay eggs inside. My birds don't hang out inside. Half of their run is under cover so even if it snows they can come outside. Their feeders and waterers are in this area. During really bad weather they move inside only for short periods, minutes. The covered part of the run is big enough for 11 birds, the total run is big enough for 26 birds. I have 7 which is one half a chicken more than my current coop is supposed to hold. I do not plan on adding any birds to this coop. I am only asking out of curiosity and perhaps to help others with this question. I am using my dimensions as an example.
Is it acceptable to have a smaller coop if they are always outside except to sleep and lay eggs? In that case how many square feet per bird is too few?

 

[aart]

I know the standard for a coop is 4sqft per bird.

It's a minimum IM(and many others')O.

C'mon....you've experienced a crowding situation and how ugly it can be.
You've got chick fever haven't you?

The more space in the coop, the better...especially in winter.
Unless your run is 'winter proofed' from snow and wind.

 

[flyin-lowe]

I am in Indiana but I am guessing the winters in NJ are not totally different. I am not sure what breeds you have but I have never seen chickens that stay outside all the time in an environment that is cold enough to get snow and stay below freezing. What are the coldest temps you get in the winters? The many breeds I have had will venture out in the snow and temps below freezing but if it gets a lot colder then that they will stay inside. If you were further south and snow was a freak thing then I would say go smaller. In NJ I would stick with the 4 sq. ft. rule, that's just my .02 cents without really knowing a lot about your climate.

 

[Cryss]

It's a minimum IM(and many others')O.

C'mon....you've experienced a crowding situation and how ugly it can be.
You've got chick fever haven't you?

The more space in the coop, the better...especially in winter.
Unless your run is 'winter proofed' from snow and wind.

Yup, half the run is under cover, the entire run has the fence walls covered with tarp. So the under cover area is also enclosed in the tarps, the kind that let light in.
I promise, I am not considering adding any more birds to my current coop. Current being the key word here. Yes, I'm planning more birds. And a new coop. But as I look at plans and info I keep seeing this comment about smaller coops. I always recommend 4sqft/bird to everyone who is looking for information. I tell them of my own experience. Then I see others make these comments. If this is viable I would want people to do it right so more information is needed.
Don't worry @aart , I'm a good student.

 

[DobieLover]

I am in Indiana but I am guessing the winters in NJ are not totally different. I am not sure what breeds you have but I have never seen chickens that stay outside all the time in an environment that is cold enough to get snow and stay below freezing. What are the coldest temps you get in the winters? The many breeds I have had will venture out in the snow and temps below freezing but if it gets a lot colder then that they will stay inside. If you were further south and snow was a freak thing then I would say go smaller. In NJ I would stick with the 4 sq. ft. rule, that's just my .02 cents without really knowing a lot about your climate.

Mine do. They NEVER stay in the coop after sunrise. They only sleep and lay in the coop.
However, as @aart mentioned, my coop has been wind proofed and is covered. I consider it an extension of the coop. I have no behavioral issues in my flock.

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

My chickens don’t retreat to the henhouse on cold days. Occasionally when it gets under 10F my Frizzle Bantam hen will stay in the henhouse for most of the day. She’s only done it once or twice. My coop is covered. I have some plywood propped up for wind breakers but I don’t wrap my run with tarp and I don’t plan to.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Mine absolutely stay inside during heavier rain. Falling snow doesn't seem to bother them but snow on the ground is a 100% heck no.

Caveat is my run is not roofed so the only true rain protection is the coop (there's smaller shelters out in the run). I also keep the dry feed inside the coop to keep it dry, so my birds do go in and out during the day.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

My birds only go into the coop to roost and lay. As long as there's room for that I don't see how they could care. Once I open the door in the morning, they are wide open, outside, all day, and the only ones who think about the coop are the girls who wander in to use the nests.

 

[Ghosty]

I've already decided I like more space. 8 sq ft per bird would be good, and gives me up to 30 birds, which is really more than I want ranging the property. Right now my birds have 12.6 sq ft per bird in the coop. I, and they, are Ioving the space. It means less cleanout, no crowding on bad days, less dusty, and room to add some more chicks. So, I would say 4 sq ft is a minimum for a permanent adult flock, and more if they don't free range or have a large covered run.

 

[aart]

My birds only go into the coop to roost and lay. As long as there's room for that I don't see how they could care. Once I open the door in the morning, they are wide open, outside, all day, and the only ones who think about the coop are the girls who wander in to use the nests.

And readers have no idea what your climate is.