Coop smaller than 4sq. ft per bird?

[SussexInSeattle]

If it isn't already finished, and you have time to peck around on this site, you will see many, many posters wishing they had built bigger. I have not seen one yet that wished they had built smaller.

Some chickens don't care for the snow at all and mine spent two solid weeks inside their barn before the weather finally let up and the snow melted enough that they could manuever around the melting piles.

If you already have a small area constructed, I would say use that small area for the roosting area and build a larger "Wing" next to the roost section that they can walk around and use as a common area. Where food and water and grass hay can be scratched around in. Tiny accomodations are for commercial farmers, bigger space always makes happier chickens, same as people being snowbound with thier family, sometimes you just want a little privacy. You can't get that with someone right under your wings.

 

[Mahonri]

Build bigger or have less birds. I'm pushing it with what I've got and must cull some before summer when they will spend MORE time in the coop. I have an 8 X 12 coop and my max is 20 birds. Currently have 24 and I need to cull 4 before April.

 

[jimnjay]

I am not sure why you would want to make it smaller. They work of keeping a small space filled to the brim with chickens is substantial. If there is not enough space in your yard for a bigger coop, get fewer chickens. If building a bigger coop is a financial issue, get fewer chickens. Disease is more common in crowded coops and generally chickens can survive but the quality of life if they have to stay cooped up for any amount of time is very poor. My advise is to do it right. Four square feet is actually considered the minimum and not the optimum. Make you run as large as you possibly can. This is just my experienced opinion.

 

[New2Peeps]

I have a small 9 square foot coop, 32 sq ft run that is totally enclosed and 4 chickens. They only go into the coop to lay eggs, eat and roost. The rest of the time they are free ranging in a 50 x 50 fenced area but they will stay in the enclosed run if it is raining or snowing

 

[chickenfever]

Well for what it's worth, this is my experience: I have a 32 sq foot coop and 16 full size chickens (that's 2 sq ft per bird). I have a 2nd coop that never got finished and I havn't needed it yet. They have a large yard and it's not too cold for them to be out of the coop all day. I have never had any pecking issues. My coop is not very difficult to clean either.
Alot probably depends on your flock, how well they get along, breeds, etc.

 

[Cindy in PA]

Maybe the OP has a building already and is trying to figure how many they can fit. I have 64 sq. ft. and 12 birds. Over the years I have had as many as 21, but I prefer 12. They have been in almost nonstop since Christmas, as they don't like the snow & ice. It will need to be cleaned on the first warm day.

 

[CityChook]

Orpingtons are big birds. Really big birds. 2 sq. feet of indoor space is going to get really dirty (and probably really smelly) really fast. Really.

The BO in my avatar is easily 50% larger than that photo now that it's winter and she's laying.

 

[beak]

We have 17 birds in an 8x8. About 3sf ea. The trick is to have plenty of roost space and ventilation. Ours do go out everyday when it is nice. The run is 12' x 60' plus they get to use a 30x60 greenhouse which they love. You look outside and all you can see is tails sticking out of holes. Chickens are such a blast to watch with their herky jerky movements.

 

[MayberrySaint]

Mine free-range during the day...actually a very large fenced area. They have 3 sq ft per bird (large hens) and have plenty of space. They really never spend much time in the hen house at all. The real limiting factor appears to be roost space in warm weather.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. As long as they have a run or area to roam and just use the coop for roosting and laying I think you will be ok with no less than 2 sq ft per bird, but more is better.