Do nesting boxes count in the square footage of a coop?

[animallover505]

well, do they?

 

[CarolJ]

Who knows if there's a right or wrong answer? I don't count them - but I have plenty of room - so I don't need to count them.

 

[animallover505]

I'm just tring to figure out if I can have 16 hens, or 20.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

No (cheater) you are better off starting with fewer birds anyway, say six, then adding more as you go....who knows you may want a different breed, and also, all your hens won't have to be changed out at once---like lightbulbs.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You know the old saying, "Well, if you have to ask....."

Guidelines have a purpose as nubies have to start somewhere, thus: use X many square feet for X many birds. But common sense is the ultimate rule. If one has to ask if nests "count" as part of the sq ft, then the limit is likely being reached? Start with fewer and see if the coop can really, honestly house X number of birds, especially through a few crummy winter days when they might prefer to stay indoors. Watch for behavior issues. If you feel you can slip in a few more, that's fine. If one really wants a large number of birds, then one ultimately needs to commit to a larger coop or an additional coop. That too is just common sense and you'll figure it out for yourself, just fine.

 

[NovaAman]

good advice, Fred and ACW.

 

[animallover505]

thanks guys. I was going to start with 5 hens.