Coop Size

I wasn't clear about your coop size, if it's 8x8 or 8x10. Usually, the rule of thumb in the coop is 4 sq ft per standard chicken. 8x10=80 ft. Divide that by 4 and you get 20 birds in that space. If they range alot, then you may be able to put a few more in there. If bantams, a few more than that.

 

slugmar, the more room you give your birds the better. Crowding will create alot of unhealthy conditions. I think 5 roos is way to many for 25 hens. It is going to be a constant fight between roos and the hens will be stressed and looking for a place to get away from the roos. Hens don't lay well under stress.

Roos are relentless after the hens and one roo to ten or twelve hens is plenty.

Even with only two roos, they need to somewhat get along. If you start with five roos it would be best to keep the two most docile and cull the rough ones.

The size coop you plan to build is ok, but less roos is better.

bigzio

 

well not to make anyone mad but if you got alot of hens and only one roo well it is my experence that you will get alot of unfertilized eggs. i have 5x7 pens with one roo and no more than 4 hens per pen. i like to keep different breeds so i have to separate them. some pens only have a pair, some a trio, some 3 hens and a roo, some pens 4 hens and a roo...i had one 8x8 pen with one roo and 7 hens and some of my eggs were not fertile and i know the roo is but i guess he had his favorites...cornishman.

 

I've had chickens for about 4 years now and what I've discovered (through lots of trial & error) is that the coop is generally only used by the chickens for roosting and laying. I've always had the benefit of a good sized run, but I haven't really found the need for a large coop as long as they can get out of the wind/rain/sun.

My other experience shows that even though I provide nice laying nests they always lay in the farthest corner of the coop where it's most difficult for me to gather eggs. I've tried placing fakes, letting them set it up themselves, doing it for them, everything.

Right now, we're utilizing a tractor (approx 16'x5'x3' with several roost areas along the length and 2 covered areas for nesting/shelter. Where do they lay their eggs? In the back corner (the one with no door, of course). We're getting new chicks this month, so we're going to use the tractor for the babies and are building a new coop for the "big girls" so I've been looking on here for new & improved ideas.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their mistakes as well as their successes with coops!

 

This is our third and last coup. I think we got it right this time!

 

I agree with Joanne. My experience is chickens wan tto be outside even in winter, if you don't lock your chickens in during the day they only need enough space to roost at night. I keep 8 large fowl in a 4x4 coop with external nesting boxes. That's 2 sqft per bird and works perfect as I don't heat it in winter and provide a tarp warped around corner of run for shelter in winter. The larger the run and frequent free ranging the happier your chickens will be. With 25 chickens 2 roosters is plenty to fertilize and protect the birds without over mating them/taking feathers out of backs.