coop size too small or too big which is better

[Alaskan]

I find, especially when the weather gets extreme, the chickens simply will not go outside.. so you now have them living 24/7 only on the coop. Which means the coop should be HUGE.

Some end up making a more sheltered roosting area, that is connected or part of a much larger well ventilated coop.

If you roof and wall the run (but keep lots of ventilation), so chickens are sheltered in the run, that can help with space.

But in general, in extremely cold climates you need HUGE coops.

I try for a minimum of 9 square feet of coop per bird in winter.

 

[Patti3chics]

I find, especially when the weather gets extreme, the chickens simply will not go outside.. so you now have them living 24/7 only on the coop. Which means the coop should be HUGE.

Some end up making a more sheltered roosting area, that is connected or part of a much larger well ventilated coop.

If you roof and wall the run (but keep lots of ventilation), so chickens are sheltered in the run, that can help with space.

But in general, in extremely cold climates you need HUGE coops.

I try for a minimum of 9 square feet of coop per bird in winter.

I find, especially when the weather gets extreme, the chickens simply will not go outside.. so you now have them living 24/7 only on the coop. Which means the coop should be HUGE.

Some end up making a more sheltered roosting area, that is connected or part of a much larger well ventilated coop.

If you roof and wall the run (but keep lots of ventilation), so chickens are sheltered in the run, that can help with space.

But in general, in extremely cold climates you need HUGE coops.

I try for a minimum of 9 square feet of coop per bird in winter.

Thanks for your help for some reason I thought smaller would be better so they could stay warm- snuggled up. But now I understand the still need a lot of room to walk around inside because of the weather and roost when its cold .

 

[Alaskan]

Thanks for your help for some reason I thought smaller would be better so they could stay warm- snuggled up. But now I understand the still need a lot of room to walk around inside because of the weather and roost when its cold .

No problem, and don't forget, the colder it is the more they will eat and drink.

They will eat HUGE amounts when it is super cold. (Below -10F and colder)

 

[HortonCreek]

I’m so glad I clicked on this thread. I was also in the camp of smaller is better because it’s less space to heat and thus will be easier for our girls to keep it warm with their body heat. I had forgotten about the days in February when the girls did not even venture outside! This was never a problem when our flock was 4-5 hens but now that we’ve grown to 11 things could get messy. So then is it correct to say horizontal space is more important than vertical space when talking coop size?

 

[Alaskan]

So then is it correct to say horizontal space is more important than vertical space when talking coop size?

No.

Vertical space makes it much easier to get ventilation completely above their heads without any breeze getting to them.

Also, vertical means you can stack items which gains space. So, ventilation, then roost, then poop shelf, then nest boxes, then feeder, all stacked on top of each other.

But, yes, you also need horizontal space, especially if the height and stacking stuff means that your perches are way high. They need a nice line of descent, I think 45 degree angle, which can get pretty long with a high perch.

 

[Alaskan]

also, walk in coops are so much nicer, especially if it is horrible cold, or how else will you be able to sit with the chickens and see how they are?

 

[HortonCreek]

As we grow I will most certainly be implementing a stacked design. It hadn't even crossed my mind. I was struggling with where I was going to add more nesting boxes. Thanks a ton!