Coop size question

[Chicken Fried]

I am planning on getting chickens for the first time next spring. The coop that I am planning to build is 8 x 10. I want to get Barred Rocks and Austrolorps. What is the maximum number of chickens for a coop that size?

 

[Bammony]

Welcome to BYC Chicken Fried!!!!!!!! Will there be a run attached to the coop also??

 

[Chirpy]

Figure 4 sq. foot per standard size chicken as the bare minimum. You want to take into consideration that some of the floor will be taken up by the feeder/waterer and possibly nest boxes and roosts.

In an 8x10 I wouldn't have anymore than 15 chickens in that space. And, that's even if they have an outside run or free range. I learned the hard way that having the most possible in my space caused serious feather pecking issues when the day came that I had to lock them inside for one full day because of bad weather. If they are crowded they often turn on each other in that situation.

 

[Chicken Fried]

Yes, I do plan on having an attached run. Don't have a size yet but I have all winter to plan that.

I didn't think about the pecking issue. I was planning on getting 8-10 tops but I would like to get enough to keep them warm since it gets cold up here in the winter. Thanks for the great info, I've been learning more than I ever thought I would about chickens on here.

 

[rdranch]

Chirpy is exactlly right. In the long run not maxing out your space per bird will do wonders to prevent all sorts of issues both minor and major.

Plus you will have an easier time maintaining the coop and everybody will be happier.