Hello All, First time posting on the site. Ive been doing a lot of research though recently since buying my baby chicks. I recently bought 10 chickens, 5 rhode island reds and 5 barred rocks. I picked up a used coop, 5ftx4ft plus 3 nesting boxes and also built a 15x8 fenced in run. I have been doing a lot of reading and asking friends and have been getting conflicting reports. The reason i ended up with 10 chickens is because i thought i had read 2 sq ft per chicken as long as they have a run, but then i thought i read 3 or 4 sq ft. I obviously dont want them to be uncomfortable or stuffed in there, so i wanted to get to the bottom of it before they go in there(they are only 3 weeks old now). If need be im considering maybe blowing out one of the walls and extending it wider if need be, or give a couple chickens away. All info is appreciated, thanks!!
Welcome! It all depends on your location really. If your birds can stay out all year, you should be OK if everyone gets along. If they have to be cooped up for bad weather, you might consider more space for them. Mine only go inside to eat, sleep or lay. The rest of the time they are outside year round.
I live in northern CT so we have pretty cold winters and also get some hot summer days. So for the most part they will be out in their 12x8 run all day, with a couple hours a day beige able to roam the whole yard. I was hoping the 20sq ft would be enough for them since they will only really be in it at night.
I have 18 sf coop for up to 11 birds at one time and currently 8. As long as there was enough roosting space, it was fine. My baseline plan is 9 birds but chicken math dictates otherwise. I think what makes mine work is a covered run. They have a place to go even in snow or pouring rain and not get cooped up. I am in the similar climate as you.
