Coop size questions

[dew5000]

I'm not new to raising chickens, we had them on and off when I was growing up. So I know what to expect. My questions are related to sizing of the coop and run. First of all I live un a very rural area and have plenty of area for chickens to free range at times. Living in the woods also means that i have plenty of predators, which means the chickens need to be inside the coop/run at night and when no one is home.

Im looking to keep a maximum of 8-10 chickens.

Right now I'm looking at building either:

an 8x8 coop and a 8x8 attached run

OR

a 4x8 coop and a 12x8 attached run

Either one will have clear roofing over the run, offset nesting boxes and will be walk in style coops. The coop will be in the shade most of the day.

I'm leaning toward the smaller coop with the bigger run but I'm a little unsure if that leaves the chickens enough room inside the coop long term.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[wamtazlady]

Rule of thumb is 10 square feet per bird in the run and 4 square feet per bird in the coop. The coop area does not include nesting boxes. Bigger is always better, especially if you think you might want to expand your flock at some time. These numbers allow for enough room so the chickens do not feel crowded and stressed.

 

[Mamatomany123]

Well, between your options I would do an 8x8 coop with a 12x8 run.

 

[dew5000]

Rule of thumb is 10 square feet per bird in the run and 4 square feet per bird in the coop. The coop area does not include nesting boxes. Bigger is always better, especially if you think you might want to expand your flock at some time. These numbers allow for enough room so the chickens do not feel crowded and stressed.

Right, so technically either works for what I want in number of birds. And I dont feel like run size is a huge issue since I have unlimited free range basically.

I already have roofing which is why i am trying to stay 16 foot total.

Just was curious on opinions between those two sizes.

 

[rosemarythyme]

What's your climate? Ever get any prolonged periods of freezing/heavy snow? If yes, opt for a bigger coop. Otherwise I'd probably aim for more run space.

 

[dew5000]

What's your climate? Ever get any prolonged periods of freezing/heavy snow? If yes, opt for a bigger coop. Otherwise I'd probably aim for more run space.

I'm in North Central PA, so there are definitely some years we have extended cold periods and extended snow cover. Although it seems any more our winters are relatively mild.

With the run being covered it should be snow free for the most part also.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Eh, really a toss up then... I think you can go either way on this.

 

[dew5000]

Eh, really a toss up then... I think you can go either way on this.

That's pretty much my thoughts too. I think as long as I make it predator proof my plan is to give them full time access to the run. And being that the run will be under roof I would think ita better to give more run space for them. And honestly they will probably be free ranged at least part of every day as well as my wife works from home.

 

[Will230145]

Bigger is always better, I live in PA as well, free range in the middle of the woods. 10x10 coop and have 23 hens and 5 bantams and 1 banty rooster. We had issues with predators but once we got a male dog he pees on everything (outside dog) and scares predator away. Keep in mind the run needs shade AND sun, both are equally important. 4x8 might be too small, chickens are addicting. Trust me, in a few years you'll have a huge flock without even knowing haha! If you do want a run I would suggest a 12x12 run with a 12x8 run. Chickens need a lot of space, I hope you can somehow make it work but I think the 4x8 may be too small. Good Luck!!