Coop smaller than 4sq. ft per bird?

[Anny]

4 square feet per bird is just a number some one made up, it's not a golden rule. And it's set as a MIN.

The more birds in smaller space the more cleaning you will have to do, which is never any fun.

Sure the chicken CAN live in smaller space, but why would you want them to?

Just like you could live in a small one room house with the toilet right next to your bed, but wouldn't you rather have a little more space?

IF you want your bird to be healthy and happy I wouldn't do any lower then 4 square feet per bird, and honestly I think 4 square foot per bird is a little small.

 

[patandchickens]

A lot of it depends on your climate. I know you say they will free range all the time, but if you are in the NC Mts they may wish to spend all/most of many winter days in the coop, unless you are providing a roofed wind-protected run.

If they spend all/most of many days in a 2 sq ft per hen coop, I can almost guarantee you will start seeing serious problems. And of a sort that can be difficult to fix even by adding additional space, once they get started.

Just a thought,

Pat