Coop size question yet again!

[HenOnAJuneBug]

And readers have no idea what your climate is.

Hot/cold they're out and about. The only things they don't like are wind, snow and rain; then they stay under my front porch. They never go into the coop except for the times I mentioned. And it has 5.7 sq ft per bird. I don't keep food there; I feed them off my kitchen porch because it's convenient for me.

 

[aart]

Hot/cold they're out and about. The only things they don't like are wind, snow and rain; then they stay under my front porch. They never go into the coop except for the times I mentioned. And it has 5.7 sq ft per bird. I don't keep food there; I feed them off my kitchen porch because it's convenient for me.

That is great additional information....except temp extremes.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

That is great additional information....except temp extremes.

0-100 F

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Also, about 6 of my 24 layers lay in a box on the front porch, so they don't even go into the coop to lay. They insisted, so I let them.

 

[FlyWheel]

Also, about 6 of my 24 layers lay in a box on the front porch, so they don't even go into the coop to lay. They insisted, so I let them.

LOL It's the chicken owner's version of "PW'ed"

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

LOL It's the chicken owner's version of "PW'ed"

I know, I'm such a pushover. They were really pushy and determined, though. Heck one of them will literally push the front door open if it's cracked enough for her to get her head through and come barging in.

 

[jreardon1918]

Our cop is 4x8. We have 7 hens. They stay out all day. But on the really cold windy days they stay under the raised coop. That is where there is the most outdoor protection. The run is covered and plastic wrapped. I wouldn't crowd them. That is my 2 cents.

 

[Cindy in PA]

It's all well & good until you get a year like this past one with rain & snow constantly. I have 13 birds in a coop big enough for 16. I have a 350 foot run. They do go out most of the time. Right now with the snow we got last week they only have about 1/3 of a pen (couldn't shovel all 12 inches of heavy snow) & it is muddy today from the thaw. Only a small portion of my run is covered. I don't find them staying in as much of a problem as 13 hens coming in with wet feet constantly. My feed & water is in the coop, so they are in & out to lay eggs & eat from time to time. The entire year has been a rainy mess & the winter hasn't been much better. I am getting 6 more hens in April. By fall I will have to decide how many of the other 13 have to go. I have always had around 12 chickens. One time many years ago I had 19. I think I may just go down to 6-8 & see if it's any better!

 

[Gav20692]

I have 8 chickens and a roo two coops that are supposed to house 6 chickens each however when it comes to lock up all chickens go into the same coop roo as well

I’ve tried switching them out and moving a few to other coop to allow for room but they always pile into the one like sardines

They use the other coop to lay

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have 8 chickens and a roo two coops that are supposed to house 6 chickens each however when it comes to lock up all chickens go into the same coop roo as well

I know some people have 2 or more coops without issue but others find themselves with this problem. Because this is one flock, the chickens don't want to be separated, so rather than split up, they will all try and fit themselves in one coop.