Does Coop Dictate Breed?

[disneyguy]

hi all! new to the forum, and just snagged a coop (picture below). The coop is just over 7 ft long (including actual coop + run), 3 ft wide. Coops itself is about 3X3. Nest box (2) not pictured on the other top most right side of coop.

My question, as I ponder what breed(s) to get, does the size of coop dictate type of chicken? I guess the question really is, what are the smallest/largest/spectrum of chicken breeds, knowing the sqft/chicken rule? The plan is to have them in the coop/run during the day, and in AM and evening free range about the yard (while dogs are inside, of course!)

Thanks all!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Normally climate dictates breed but a small coop does as well.
Bantams can handle smaller spaces.
How many birds were you thinking about?
I'd say 3 bantams is your limit. Perhaps you could go with as many as 4 LF if they're docile breeds that handle confinement well.

These charts will tell you which birds can handle such close confinement and which ones to stay away from.

http://www.albc-usa.org/documents/chickenbreedcomparison.pdf

http://www.sagehenfarmlodi.com/chooks/chooks.html

 

[disneyguy]

Thanks for the reply, ChickenCanoe! I was thinking 3 birds. Thank you for the links - checking them now.

 

[GalaBoys]

3x3 = 9 sq. ft.

large fowl need 4 sq ft per chicken, so 2 would be your limit.

Outdoor space should be 10 sq.ft. per large fowl chicken, so again, 2 is your limit.

Might be able to get away with 3 bantams, 4 if they're really tiny like a Dutch bantam.

 

[disneyguy]

3x3 = 9 sq. ft.

large fowl need 4 sq ft per chicken, so 2 would be your limit.

Outdoor space should be 10 sq.ft. per large fowl chicken, so again, 2 is your limit.

Might be able to get away with 3 bantams, 4 if they're really tiny like a Dutch bantam.

Thank you for the specifics! Very helpful. I wasn't thinking about going over 3 chickens and was planning on getting bantams.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I want to share that 3 bantams won't put a lot of food on the table. I don't know how many eggs you use now but you'll eat lots more when you have delicious fresh eggs in your own backyard. For me, I hate the thought of going through all the trouble of having chickens and still having to buy store eggs.

 

[disneyguy]

Do bantams and regular sized chickens exist well together? Does that too depend on breed?