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do I have room for more???

Discussion in 'Managing Your Flock' started by jengro65, Aug 6, 2011.

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  1. Aug 6, 2011 #1
    jengro65

    jengro65 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I bought this ready made amish house for my birds. Its 6 X 4 with a nice roost and 5 nest boxes. The manufacturer says it holds 12-15 chickens. Right now I have 10 WLH hens and 1 Dom/Maran mix Rooster. They only sleep and lay eggs in the house. The rest of the day they seem to spend out in the 60 X 60 fenced in area I have for them. Do you think I can get some more hens? I'd hate to ruin the peace with over crowding but I'd love a few brown egg layers...maybe 4 or so more?

    [​IMG]
    By jengro65 at 2011-08-06
     
  3. Aug 6, 2011 #2
    IRL

    IRL Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Manufacturers almost always say coops can fit many more chickens than they should. 6x4 is 24 sq feet. The recommended square footage per chicken is 4 feet. This would mean you could only fit 6 birds. Considering how large your run is, 11 is probably fine, but I wouldn't add any more.
     
  5. Aug 6, 2011 #3
    donrae

    donrae Hopelessly Addicted Premium Member

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    I also wouldn't add more. What about when the weather is bad and they spend a lot more time in the coop? I'd sure hate to see you posting on here in a few months about hens pecking/cannibalizing each other due to overcrowding [​IMG]
     
  7. Aug 6, 2011 #4
    sonew123

    sonew123 Poultry Snuggie

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    Nice house:) I would not add more.. 6 x 4 =24... 4sq ft per chicken minimum-gives you 6 chickens. You already have 12 in there-If that works for you and them -great... but adding more I'm sure would upset the peacefulness
     
  9. Aug 6, 2011 #5
    jengro65

    jengro65 Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Jul 16, 2011
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    Thanks everyone:) I'll wait till spring when I get another house.
     

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