Does it really need to be that big for all situations?

[APorter84]

I’ve read a hundred sources saying 3-4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq feet minimum in run...
Seems like such a universal blanket statement is frustratingly rigid. I’ve read a few times that this recommendation is almost purposefully overkill to cover a wide range of chicken keeping practices. I guess my question is as follows- do you REALLY need that kind of space in the coop itself if your chickens have round the clock access to secured and partially covered 90sq ft run and usually at least a couple hours free ranging in 1/3 acre?
They literally only go in the coop to roost or lay an egg I have never once seen one of them in there for any other purpose in daylight hours. Given those circumstance, is it safe to assume they don’t need as much space in the coop itself? They use less than half of the roosting bars available. They are only ever confined to the run when we are away for a weekend, when we are home they are free ranged up to 12hrs daily depending on time of year and weather. Even in the snow they didn’t stay in the coop they just stayed in the covered part of run. We have relatively mild weather in pnw. What sq footage Of actual coop would you say in this kind of situation? The coop has sand litter and is scooped at least every other day.

 

[Bert96746]

I know your pain. I have/will have 16 chickens in a 32sqft coop. What i did to maximize space was installed shelf roosts. 2 are 4ft long with the highest one being about 5ft off the floor, the second one is about 3ft off the floor. Then I have 2 that are 8ft long, 1st one is almost 4 feet off the ground and the 2nd is about 2 feet off the ground. That way the birds can get up and down safely. I put poop boards about 6in below each roost so the chickens below don't get pooped on.

There's a YouTube video about a guy who keeps 50 chickens in a 4x8 shed. That was my inspiration.. The only thing you'll have to worry about is if you get snow and you have picky chickens, they could possibly fight over coop space.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

They use less than half of the roosting bars available

It's true, when they are roosting, each bird takes up only about a foot to a foot and a half of space. But think about how they get into that space. They most likely fly up. With wings flapping, they take up more space than the do sitting still. Once perched, they may have to turn around. There's a lot of fussing and adjusting that goes on before everybody gets settled. When chickens crowd each other and get into each other's space, there is nothing polite about letting each other know they're not welcome in that space. They peck, and that hurts! And in the near-dark of dusk, pecked chickens can get knocked off perches, and foot and leg injuries can occur. Birds can end up sleeping on the floor, which may not be safe. Rats and snakes may harm or kill them. Three to four square feet of space in a coop does not seem unreasonable to me. It's not like you're stacking frozen birds tightly in a freezer.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A lot of people think it's unnecessary to give them so "much" space, then come back later to ask why their chickens are attacking each other, why they're ripping out feathers, why they're having trouble integrating new birds... Answer is, lack of space.

Obviously the recommended numbers don't scale well - 10 chickens in a 20 sq ft coop isn't the same as 100 chickens in 200 sq ft coop, because overall you'd have a less space in general to work with the smaller the numbers get.

For your situation, where it sounds like you don't ever lock them in the coop (I lock mine in every evening), where you have a covered run for use in the snow (I don't), where you only keep them in the run if you're out of town, you can probably get by with less than the recommended numbers. A big part of that is because you're free ranging regularly. If any of that changes, you'll likely find that you need to make some changes to your set up too, to compensate.

 

[Cindy in PA]

It enticing be able to build smaller. but I think you are just asking for problems. I built a 64 sq. ft coop to start & rarely have over 12 chickens. One time I did have 21 many years ago & the cleaning was a nightmare. You also must factor in weather if you get lots of rain or snow. You amay want more chickens eventually & it makes integration harder. My 8 by 8 coop used materials efficiently & has lasted 27 years. I actually wish I would have gone bigger. I presently have 9 hens & they still squabble when cooped in from the weather. JMHO

 

[Papmike]

As mentioned a lot depends on where you are located Too many birds in a small space is looking for trouble. Look at the issue we have going on in the world today. Close proximity more issues. Disease, bugs, ammonia build-up,fighting. My wife and I in 1200sq ft house and most days not big enough !!

 

[henless]

It also depends on how well your chickens get along. I have a 10x20 coop/run combo right now with 6 hens. Plenty of room. But, I have one chicken that is a picker. She has plucked the feathers off of my Australorp's neck and rear end. She is a poor ugly girl, but gives me 6 eggs a week. You would think with all that room, I would have no problems, but you never know. This is the first "problem" I've had out of my chickens.

When I find out which one is the plucker, I'll pluck her!

 

[aart]

What sq footage Of actual coop would you say in this kind of situation?

Hard numbers don't really work for all situations.
Better to have more space and not need it, then not have enough space and need it.

Even in the snow they didn’t stay in the coop they just stayed in the covered part of run. We have relatively mild weather in pnw.

Climate matters, as does the run and how weather and predator proof it is.

They are only ever confined to the run when we are away for a weekend,

That alone might be reason enough.


How long have you had chickens?
How many birds?
How big is coop?

Dimensions and pics would help here.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I’ve read a hundred sources saying 3-4 sq ft per bird in the coop and 10 sq feet minimum in run...
Seems like such a universal blanket statement is frustratingly rigid. I’ve read a few times that this recommendation is almost purposefully overkill to cover a wide range of chicken keeping practices. I guess my question is as follows- do you REALLY need that kind of space in the coop itself if your chickens have round the clock access to secured and partially covered 90sq ft run and usually at least a couple hours free ranging in 1/3 acre?
They literally only go in the coop to roost or lay an egg I have never once seen one of them in there for any other purpose in daylight hours. Given those circumstance, is it safe to assume they don’t need as much space in the coop itself? They use less than half of the roosting bars available. They are only ever confined to the run when we are away for a weekend, when we are home they are free ranged up to 12hrs daily depending on time of year and weather. Even in the snow they didn’t stay in the coop they just stayed in the covered part of run. We have relatively mild weather in pnw. What sq footage Of actual coop would you say in this kind of situation? The coop has sand litter and is scooped at least every other day.

I never lock my chickens up more than 8-10. They go in at night and come out first thing at dawn. My coop is 4x6" and my 11 birds take up one of 2 roosts. They don't eat or drink in there and only go in during the day to lay. Even if I am late letting them out in the morning, normally only one or two are off the roost. I can see your train of thought, but I think it's better to be safe than sorry. It's not very easy to add more space to a coop. For example, I needed to close off a portion of mine to make a corner for my broody hen. Ask me two years ago if I'd want to hatch eggs and I would have scoffed at you!