I get that most people try to get most bang for their buck, tailoring their coop size to get maximum use of their wood. I'd love to have an 8x8, but my husband does not support this and I don't blame.... We're really just sneaking our playhouse-designed coop into out backyard (as cuuuute as possible). My other option would be to have a 4x4, but for my (planned) 5 banties, that seems really tight (there will be a sizable run attached). I actually am hoping to bump it up to a 5x5.... But it surely isn't using my materials to the best of their ability. My only consolation is that we're incorporating free materials (found 1/2 of dutch door with windows that will be used on one side of the coop), and we're using up the extra plywood on the external nestbox and decorative attached planters. I know my 5x5 will wreak havoc on my attached run in terms of hardware cloth.... Either it's too small or too big.... Anyone else with the inefficient sized coop?
I have a 3x5 for 4 large chickens and they fit just fine. However they only sleep in there at night. Depends on if they freerange or how big their run is. Hope this helps.
Depending on where you are located, a 4' x 4' with a decent run should be fine for 5 bantams, especially with the nest box external. If you are where the chickens will be stuck inside for weeks on end, yes, it is too small. But if they can normally get to the run, it should work. My chickens do not mind the cold down to single digits Fahrenheit. They like too go out in that type of weather and play when they could stay inside a nice coop. What they don't like is snow and wind. If you can fix it so they get shelter from the wind and at least part of the run is free from snow, they will probably be outside a lot mre than you might think. You do not want an elevated playhouse coop to be too big. You need to be able to access all parts of it for cleaning or to get any eggs that don't make it to the nest box. I am a firm believer that more room is better, but in your case, I think a 4' x 4' will be big enough. Good luck!
What about 4' by 8'? That's exactly the size of plywood sheets. Can't get much more efficient than that.
we got the cheapest patricle board we could find 4x8, and 8 8ft 2x4's framd it out with 5 4x8s on thier sides( 4 ft high) for the back and 2 sides, then using the 2x4's for support made a leanto/ eve covering for the coop.(closed on the back and side supported and open in the front) with the roost and nesting boxes and food/water under the covered area. then using every piece of wire we could scrounge up attached the run at only 4 ft high... no i have room for almost 250 chickens when i have about 100. so yea its pretty inefficient, the few that are clipped can get out but its alost easy for them to get back in and i havent had any predators yet....
