Coop size vs chicken math

[lereg]

Hey guys! I recently received 6 day old chicks from my son, unexpectedly. As I'm thankful for them. I was/am not prepared for them. I do have a 4x6' 'playhouse' that I built my granddaughter a few years ago, but I'm afraid that it's not big enough to house the chicks. The chicks are 2 rir's, 2 black sex links or australorps, and 2 mystery birds, so they will be dual purpose. As I remember, it's 4' per bird, but what happens when the chicken math sets in?

I guess my question is, how big of a coop would you build? The widest I can have it will be approx 8', but with lumber prices, that could get expensive.

Any thoughts and suggestion will be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

 

[black_cat]

8’ is great because no cutting! For six birds and chicken math I’d go 8 by 6 or 8 by 8, if I was able.

 

[TomZilla43]

Initially 4x6 is plenty big for your current chooks, assuming that they will have a run or be able to free range. Since your current chicks are so young you have the benefit of some time to upgrade if you so wish.

 

[lereg]

8’ is great because no cutting! For six birds and chicken math I’d go 8 by 6 or 8 by 8, if I was able.

With an 8x6, I could double my flock!! The 8x8 might get a little risky, since I still haven't figured out my run yet, or even where it will be placed.

Initially 4x6 is plenty big for your current chooks, assuming that they will have a run or be able to free range. Since your current chicks are so young you have the benefit of some time to upgrade if you so wish.

That lies the point. I'd rather not have to keep adding on. At some point I'd like to get a couple of turkeys as well, but haven't really looked into it yet.

 

[black_cat]

With an 8x6, I could double my flock!! The 8x8 might get a little risky, since I still haven't figured out my run yet, or even where it will be placed.


That lies the point. I'd rather not have to keep adding on. At some point I'd like to get a couple of turkeys as well, but haven't really looked into it yet.

Turkeys should be housed separately anyway
Depending on what kind of coop you want, you could have it raised, and utilize the space under it as part of your run. If you want to fill your coop to full capacity, the run should be double the size of the coop.

 

[lereg]

Turkeys should be housed separately anyway
Depending on what kind of coop you want, you could have it raised, and utilize the space under it as part of your run. If you want to fill your coop to full capacity, the run should be double the size of the coop.

I understand about the turkeys being separate I'm thinking about the space I have.

How hard is it to clean underneath the coop, if it is raised?

The space I'm looking at is on the side of my 12x24' shed, so I'd be able to use the underneath as an advantage

 

[black_cat]

You don't have to clean in the run at all.

 

[lereg]

You don't have to clean in the run at all.

I was thinking you'd have to change out every now and then.

 

[black_cat]

I was thinking you'd have to change out every now and then.

In my opinion, the best way to manage your run is to continuously add more material. Mine is dirt from the ground, mulchy woodsy stuff from the woodsy bit of my yard, leaves, straw, wood chips, pine shavings, sand, and mulch. They love to scratch things around when you add more material and it makes a great, easy to maintain run floor.

 

[lereg]

In my opinion, the best way to manage your run is to continuously add more material. Mine is dirt from the ground, mulchy woodsy stuff from the woodsy bit of my yard, leaves, straw, wood chips, pine shavings, sand, and mulch. They love to scratch things around when you add more material and it makes a great, easy to maintain run floor.

I'm a landscaper, so I could have plenty for them!!