Coop

[Lanissa86]

Tomorrow I will finish my chicken coop. Well, Boogers Condo until my new babies get big enough to join him (probably like in 6-8 weeks or so..). Well, I have NEVER been good at math and stuff and I know how many sq, feet per bird is needed, but not even sure how to measure sq. feet! (i know, I'm a dummy). Well to give everyone an Idea, my coop measures 8'X5' and is 7' High. How many birds can I get in there? I don't want to crowd anyone. Plus I will have 4 nesting boxed off the side of the coop for when the girls are big as well. What do you all think?

 

[Davaroo]

The general rule of thumb for interior space needed is 4 sq ft per bird. A coop 8 x 5 = 40 sq ft, so you can house 10 birds in that coop. If they will get outside and only sleep and lay in the coop (as they should) you can go a couple more.
If you are raising bantams, you can add two or three more to that.

Nest boxes are 1 box for 4 birds so you have plenty. You'll probably find they only use a couple.
Ive had nest boxes that ALL the birds used, leaving the others unused.

 

[Lanissa86]

Thanks! 10 birds is way more then enough! lol. I actually only have 4 little pullets 2 weeks old and my Son's leghorn roo is about 11 weeks old now. So it will be his big place for a long while until I can introduce him to the girls when they are big. So 5 chickens total for me. Maybe I can keep the 5 I just hatched (well if they are all girls, which I doubt).

 

[Davaroo]

Chickens have an innate ability to multiply, either on their own or from your own "Candy Store Desires." It's safe to say you're nearing your limit for that coop with Booger, the 4 pullets and now the 5 just hatched... as I make it that is ten already and you haven't gotten started yet!

Mention is often made of vertical space, or the cubic volume for holding birds, but dont let that fool you. 7' is adequate but dont crowd more than 10-14 birds in there - and ensure they have outside space.

You could build a few secondary shelters if you find yourself in an overlfow situation. Here's the link to the one I use:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=572712#p572712

Hoop houses are also an option, as seen here at Bob Plamondons place:

http://www.plamondon.com/build-chicken-coops-and-brooders.html

P.S. Spend some time searching around on Bob's website. He has a wealth of information there.

 

[Lanissa86]

Thanks! No, I am not keeping all 5 chicks that just hatched. Those are my grandmas I hatched for her, but I may keep one. So I am looking at 6 Total. Plus, those 5 that hatched might not even be girls, so I guess I will wait and see if I can snag a pullet from that hatch. Thank you for the links and info, very helpful.