Flock limit for my coop

[Clemsonchickfan]

I'm new to this chicken thing, but am hooked already. I've built a 4'X4' coop that is inside an old 10'X10' dog pen that I am making into the run. So far I have 2 Cuckoo Marans and 2 Brown Leghorn pullets. Next week the local feed store is getting in a new batch of chicks including some Buff Orpingtons and Silver Laced Wyandotte's. I'm learning about this "chicken math" and was thinking of getting two of each. The only thing is that I'm not sure that I can handle 8 birds in my coop. Thoughts?

 

[Clemsonchickfan]

I planned for 4-5 chickens when I designed everything. I guess I could always just get one of each, but I'd like to have some wiggle room if there's a roo in the mix or if something happens to one.

 

[azygous]

You're already at max for your coop. I began with a 4 x 4 coop, too, and chicken math compelled me to add on a 4 x 8 foot coop. Note: it's a nightmare to build an addition onto a coop. It's far better to overbuild in the first place if you're even thinking of having a "few" chickens. And if you've already built or bought a cute, tiny coop, to tear it down and start over.

My advice to you is to admit to yourself you are trending toward having a flock of at least a dozen or two chickens over the next two to four years, and to rethink, re-engineer, and rebuild a nice, roomy coop and run to accommodate them.

The reason this is practical is because you aren't getting any younger and keeping more than a "few" chickens involves a moderate amount of upkeep, and you want to make it as easy and pleasant as you can for yourself without resorting to re-building every time you feel the urge for a "few" more chicks.

This is advice from one who has been there and re-built coops and runs many times over eight years.

 

[3riverschick]

Hi,
You need 4 sq. ft. per bird inside and 10 sq. ft. per bird outside. 1/2 those numbers if you get bantams. That's a thought. trade in your large fowl for bantams. You can have 2x as many birds for the same space. Now if you get Marans bantams you can have fun showing the eggs. That's a blast. Get some Marans bantams from a dark laying strain. They come in the colors of Black, Black Copper, and Cuckoo. When they have an egg show, just send in three of your best eggs with a 5.00 fee. Mail them and they are judged at the show. Then destroyed. The Club mails you any ribbons or trophies you win. I have nice ribbons I won with my Marans eggs when I had that breed. It's a great way to participate and give honor to the breeder from whom you got your birds.
Best,
Karen

 

[Clemsonchickfan]

I'm limited on space because I live in a downtown residential area. Local codes say I can only have 8 hens. No roosters. I have a friend with 6 full size hens in a coop very similar in size to mine with an even smaller run, so I know I can handle two more hens, just wondering if I could fit another two. It doesn't sound like its a good idea unless I reconfigure the coop.

That's probably not going to happen either. The coop has a rollout pooptray that's under the roost and I'm not sure how to make it bigger and still manageable.

 

[PapaChaz]

I'm limited on space because I live in a downtown residential area. Local codes say I can only have 8 hens. No roosters. I have a friend with 6 full size hens in a coop very similar in size to mine with an even smaller run, so I know I can handle two more hens, just wondering if I could fit another two. It doesn't sound like its a good idea unless I reconfigure the coop.

That's probably not going to happen either. The coop has a rollout pooptray that's under the roost and I'm not sure how to make it bigger and still manageable.

maybe his chickens are really laid back and not very temperamental. You might not be so lucky. Overcrowding is one of the things that makes them peck and beat each other up pretty quickly. Like me and my 4 sisters, we just didn't play good together,

 

[donrae]

Commercial birds are raised in under 2 square feet. So yes, it can be done. Doesn't mean it's a good idea or healthy for the birds.