Does Sqft under coop count towards run?

[aart]

We're using what I've seen as the most common guideline of 10 sqft/hen in the run (including the space under the hen house) and 4 sqft/hen in the hen house. We're building for 8 using those guidelines but starting with 4, so the girls will have plenty of room to begin with... and the idea is to increase to 6, then 8 over time, if we do at all.

Build for 8 then and double those numbers, you'll be glad you did.
Adding birds works much better with 'extra' space during integration.

 

[archeryrob]

I have two coops and both have under coop access. They were setup that way so they can get out of the rain. What I have found is that you better make sure the apron is best around the coop as it turns out it is best dirt bath they can find. The dirt is super dry and perfect. Wood chips, outside around the space keep them from flinging all the dirt out and digging a deep hole.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I have two coops and both have under coop access. They were setup that way so they can get out of the rain. What I have found is that you better make sure the apron is best around the coop as it turns out it is best dirt bath they can find. The dirt is super dry and perfect. Wood chips, outside around the space keep them from flinging all the dirt out and digging a deep hole.

Good reminder....one other issue I had was them undermining the support post....in the back corner!

 

[aart]

one other issue I had was then undermining the support post

EXCAVATORS!!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/excavation-by-birds-a-word-of-warning.1086535/

 

[jreardon1918]

good luck with your new build. If space is a a premium, a raised coop will be a benefit. Our hens spend a large portion of each day under the coop. It is shaded in the summer and well protected in the bad weather. The first winter I put up plastic in the run and the stuff under the coop never came down. The people that told you to put removable panels are wise.

People have advised to build with expansion in mind. Good advise. We are down to 4 hens so expansion is planned for this spring. If I had to do it again, I would have planned for 12. Gotten 6 the first year. Then planned 4 each additional year. I would also plan for subtraction to stay at the limit. And this limit, is just a best guess. YMMV. Where we built for only 8 adding each year is not a wise move. Take look at our coop build article. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/the-coop.73441/ It has worked out, but a bit bigger would be helpful.

 

[SurferchickinSB]

Hey everyone!
We're designing a coop for our first ever chickens. We're starting with 4 but I'd like to build big enough to expand to 8 or so. Because of work schedules, I can't count on free ranging them regularly, so we're building as if they'll be in the run most of the time.

We're building a short 5'x6' walk-in that will be raised only 18" (to avoid needing permits in our area, it can't be taller than 7'6" from the ground).

Can I include the space under the coop when I'm calculating my run space per chicken, or is it too low?

I feel like chickens need about 20 or 30 ft.² each to be comfortable with one another and not start picking or bullying each other. How big is the total area that you have for the chickens? If your goal is to have eight chickens, why don’t you just start with three? You can always add more and it is really fun to watch if one of your hens goes broody the following year, you can give her a couple chicks to raise. It’s a good idea to start much smaller than you want and add later as you feel space permits in my opinion.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Hi, welcome to the forum. Glad you joined.

You might follow the link in my signature below to see some of my thoughts about space. There are no magic numbers with chickens. We are all unique in so many ways that what works for one may not work for another. We have so many different flock make-ups, goals, management techniques, climate, schedules, and so many other things that our actual requirements are different. If we could even agree on what numbers are magic (and we can't) they'd at best be considered guidelines, a place to start. And it's not like at 9.99 square feet per bird you are guaranteed disaster while at 10.00 square feet live is heavenly. It's more a matter of degree. I find the more I crowd them (and I sometimes do) the more behavioral problems I have to deal with, the harder I have to work, and the less flexibility I have to deal with issues. The more room you can reasonably give them the easier it is on you, which means it is also easier on them.

Some standard numbers given on here are 4 sq ft in the coop and 10 sq ft in the run per bird. For some people that is plenty, for some not enough. If you have a mature flock of hens that are already integrated it is usually more than the bare minimum necessary but you say you want to integrate in the future. Integration generally requires a fair amount more room.

Another thing is that chickens don't think in terms of coop or run in isolation. If they need room they don't care where it is as long as it is available.

I don't know how you are building your run or how much room you reasonable have to build it. With some building techniques it can be expensive to expand, others pretty easy. In general, for coop or run, if you are buying standard construction materials many come in 4' or 8' dimensions. You can often save money, cutting, and waste if you incorporate those dimensions in your design. 6' in a coop isn't that bad. The cut-offs can often be used to make nests or something like that.

I also consider raising a small coop and using the area under it to be a good idea for many reasons. And I strongly agree that you need access.

Good luck!

 

[21hens-incharge]

EXCAVATORS!!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/excavation-by-birds-a-word-of-warning.1086535/

I call those "tiger traps" in my run.

 

[RichardB-SETN]

My chickens definitely use the space under my coop during the day. If they are blocked out of the coop at night, they take refuge under the coop as well. They take shelter from the sun and birds of prey there as well. Since they will all crowd under there at times and leave the rest of the run empty they don't seem to mind the crowding. I have a large run (@800 sqft), so they can have space if they want it.
While planning your run please consider "chicken math" - your flock may grow over time. Good luck!

 

[aart]

I call those "tiger traps" in my run.

Ankle breakers!